Apricot for the Moscow region: the best varieties with a description of what to plant

Sometimes it is not easy to choose the best and high-quality varieties of apricots for the changeable climate of the Moscow region. This region belongs to the Central European Strip of the Russian Federation. Due to the fact that the weather in Moscow is unstable, breeders advise buying seedlings resistant to weather changes. Trees that can safely withstand natural disasters will be able to produce a good harvest.

Criteria for variety selection

The weather in the Moscow region can be described in one word - unstable. Winter here is long, with frosts followed by sharp thaws.In the spring, sudden frosts can occur. Therefore, it is worth approaching responsibly the choice of a successful variety of self-pollinated apricot for Moscow and the Moscow region.

So, an apricot seedling must have winter hardiness. The main signs of frost tolerance include:

• the plant withstands an increasing drop in air temperature to -30 degrees;
• kidneys have little sensitivity to cold;
• how soon after warming the growth of the seedling awakens and the appearance of ovaries on it;
• when frost buds remain intact.

Since the Moscow region is vast, planting apricots is most successful in the south or southwest. The gentle southern and southwestern slopes near Moscow are also suitable. The site for planting seedlings should be illuminated by the sun. No less important is protection from wind from the north side and high humidity.

Worth knowing: successful varieties of apricot seedlings for the Moscow region are those that have increased resistance to sudden cold snaps and sudden changes in weather.

If we talk about the land where pears, plums, ash and maple trees grow, then the environment here is favorable for apricot seedlings. A tree that has reached a height of 1.2 meters must be grafted in order to protect the bark from underheating.

Another indicator of a successful variety for Moscow is self-fertility. An important selection criterion is if the tree can be pollinated by its own pollen or by seedlings planted nearby that are of the same variety. Varietal trees are obtained in the only way - by grafting. This fruit cannot be propagated by cuttings.

The best varieties of apricot for the Moscow region

Regarding the Central European area of the Russian Federation, the following names stood out the most:

• Black velvet;
• Alyosha;
• Iceberg;
• Winter-hardy Suslova;
• Snegirek;
• Honey;
• Russian;
• Red-cheeked;
• Triumph Northern.

The above varieties of apricots are rated with the highest scores. In addition to these varieties, several more early-growing hybrids can safely take root in the Moscow region. Those who have been growing apricot trees for a long time advise beginners to plant the Lel variety, which turned out to be ideal and almost a win-win for the Moscow climate.

Self-fertile varieties

Such apricots can be an ideal option for ornamental home gardens, where you can plant a few trees to decorate the area. They bring a crop annually, because they know how to pollinate themselves.The following are the most popular varieties with good self-fertility for the Moscow region.

Red-cheeked

3-4 years after the tree has been planted, a quality crop can be harvested. Fruiting of the Red-cheeked variety begins in mid-summer. Its yield can pleasantly surprise you - up to 100 kilograms of juicy apricots are obtained from one tree. Fruits in a mature state reach up to 50 grams. They have an oval shape, orange color with reddish patches.

Due to the thick skin with velvety fluff, this fruit perfectly tolerates transportation. Ripe fruits can be easily pitted. The bone in the apricot is small - it occupies about 7% of the total mass. The taste of Krasnocheki is sweetish, with a sufficient amount of sucrose, juicy, the sourness is almost imperceptible. The only drawback is that this tree may not survive strong humidity, therefore it is recommended to graft it.

Pineapple

Up to 150 kilograms of fruits can be harvested from such a tree annually. Apricots ripen at the end of July. The fruits of the Pineapple variety reach up to 50 grams, have a rounded, bumpy, uneven shape. The bone inside is not large, it can be easily removed.

The fruit itself is colored bright yellow, and a reddish speck can often be seen on the side.

The pulp has a light yellow fibrous structure, with a high content of juice and sucrose. It is better to use Pineapple fresh, as it loses its taste during preservation. If there is a threat of frost, it is recommended to cover the tree with oilcloth or other insulating materials.

Melitopol early

Fruits reach the peak of maturity closer to the beginning of August. Its yield is estimated at 100 kilograms per tree annually.Can grow up to 6.5 meters, often needs pruning. The mass of one apricot is about 40 grams. In appearance, the fruits are oval, yellow-orange in color, with subcutaneous black dots.

The taste is sweetish, slightly tart, the flesh is juicy, bright orange. Apricot skin is soft and fluffy. Apricots are used in the preparation of jams, jams, compotes. They are not recommended for shipping due to their soft skin.

Lel

Compact trees of this variety do not reach a height of more than three meters. They grow slowly, moderately branched. The active rays of the sun can make them grow faster. The fruits from such a tree have a flattened-rounded shape, their weight reaches no more than 23 grams. Apricot skin is most often glossy. The pulp is juicy, elastic, bright orange.

Lel perfectly tolerates transportation. The variety is known among gardeners for the fact that its fruits are characterized by a balanced taste.Such trees are resistant to sudden frosts. The disadvantages include a large bone, so it is better to take it out for making jams or marmalades.

Columnar apricots

These varieties are valued because they are compact and also look beautiful in gardens or home gardens. The trees are beautiful and eye-catching, and they also bring a generous annual harvest. With proper care, seedlings of columnar varieties produce high-quality apricots 2 years after they were planted in the ground.

Prince March

Short tree, reaching about two meters in height. Blooms in mid-March-early April. Fruits reach their peak of maturity in mid-summer. The color of such apricots is bright orange, with a slight blush. The weight of one Prince is from 35 to 60 grams. The leaves on the tree always have sharp tips. This apricot survives winter frosts down to -35 degrees.With its deliciously sweet flesh, Prince Marth is best eaten fresh.

Important: this plant requires regular watering, frequent feeding, pruning and prevention from harmful insects.

Starry

This representative will take root in almost any climate of the Russian Federation. The apricot tree perfectly tolerates sudden cold snaps. The weight of fruits sometimes reaches 100 grams. The color is most often bright yellow, with a smooth skin. If in the first year of the plant's life the flowers are removed from it, then in the second year the tree will give a generous harvest.

Winter-hardy and frost-resistant varieties

Due to the unstable climate near Moscow, finicky fruit trees can freeze slightly. But if you choose certain varieties of apricots that can survive harsh winters and sudden thaws, you can get a pretty generous harvest.

Snegirek

By winter hardiness bypasses other varieties. If it is covered in winter with a light shelter, then Snegirek can safely bear fruit in the northern regions. Such a low tree usually does not exceed 1.5 meters in height. Not afraid of sudden frosts. Grows in good and poor soils.

The fruits of this variety have a dense skin, and their quality can be preserved until the end of December. The color of the fruit is light yellowish, with a slight blush. The pulp is sweetish, pleasant in taste and smell, but sometimes bitter near the skin. The disadvantage of the Snegirka is a tendency to monoliosis and spotting.

Triumph Northern

Such a delicious juicy apricot was obtained by breeding two apricots. They were Krasnocheky and Northern Early. The fruits from such a tree have a rounded, slightly flattened shape. Apricot is covered with light fluff. It tastes sugary, soft and juicy.Fruit color is usually yellowish-orange, with a scarlet blush.

The harvest reaches its peak of maturity at the end of July. Can grow up to 4 meters. The mass of one apricot is 45-55 grams. Harvest from one tree - 60-70 kilograms.

Hardy

This apricot is named so for a reason. This is because it can take root even on the most unfavorable soil, survive frost, moisture and heat. In the spring, when sudden frosts can kill the buds of other apricot varieties, the Hardy will survive such weather inconveniences.

A tree can grow quickly, but it only begins to bear fruit after 5 years. Fruits at the peak of maturity are of medium shape, up to 60 grams. The color of the skin is light orange, with down. Inside the fruit is sweet, with a pleasant aroma. From one tree the harvest is up to 80 kilograms. It is recommended to collect fruits from Hardy closer to the beginning of August.

Low growing apricot varieties

The convenience of dwarf trees for the garden is due to their compactness, attractive external data and convenience. The height of such apricots is not higher than three meters. Dwarf apricots can begin to bear fruit from the second or third year of life.

The only drawback of such trees is the special attention to soil moisture.

Early Red Orange

One of the most successful early hybrids. Released in America in 1920. In the Moscow region, fruit ripening occurs at the end of June and the beginning of July. By weight, one apricot is approximately 65 grams. Airlie Red Orange tolerates transportation and can be stored for a long time in wooden boxes.

Mature trees look like small poplars. The branches grow compactly, moving away from the crown at an acute angle. The flesh of the fruit is soft, has a light orange color.According to the tasting assessment, the apricot received 4.7 points. The fruits are rich in vitamins and are recommended to be eaten fresh.

Crimean Amur

The variety, bred in the Nikitinskiy Botanical Garden, was well received by gardeners, later it took root in the Moscow region. The resistance of this tree is manifested in many fungal diseases, frosts and droughts. The tree grows with spreading branches and rapidly gaining height.

Medium-late variety. Self-fertile apricot, which guarantees a bountiful harvest for 5-6 years of life. Fruits are often rounded, their weight is about 60-90 grams. The skin of the Crimean Amur is yellow-orange with a slight blush. The flesh is light orange in color, ripeness and juiciness of the fruit are felt in taste.

The fruits of the Crimean Amur have good taste, so it is recommended to use them fresh or make preparations for the winter with them. Apricots are well tolerated even by long transportation.

Early varieties

Such apricot seedlings are in great demand in the market. After all, first of all, early ripening is important for those people who sell apricots.

Aurora

Bred by breeders in France. Fruits belonging to the Aurora variety can already be harvested at the end of June. Ripe apricots are round in shape, with a smooth, dark orange skin and purple patches. Aurora has firm flesh for easy transport.

They taste sweet, pleasant. Suitable for twisting jams, marmalades and compotes. It is not difficult to take care of a tree, but during severe cold snaps, it is recommended to insulate with oilcloth.

Egyptian Pharaoh

This variety is suitable for those gardeners who, after planting an apricot seedling, expect a quick harvest.Such a tree will begin to bear fruit in the second year. Fruits ripen quite early - in mid-June. Apricots are large - up to 100 grams. The skin on the fruit is bright orange. They taste pleasant, sugary, without sourness. The pulp has a lot of juice, almost no fibers and veins.

Egyptian pharaoh can be grown in the south-east of the Moscow region. Behind him you need to observe simple care - water, feed with fertilizers, cut the branches. Also, if frosts exceed -25 degrees in winter, it is better to cover apricots with insulation.

Harostar

Refers to self-fertile varieties. It was bred in Canada. Harostar fell in love in the CIS countries and is in demand in the Russian market. Ripens from the 20th of June to mid-July. Each year brings a generous harvest - up to 100 kilograms per tree. The fruits have a mass of up to 70 grams, and they are oval, flattened in shape.

The pulp is orange in color, the structure is not fibrous, without veins.The taste of apricot is sweet, dessert. According to experts, he deserved 4.8 points out of 5. The fruits are not damaged during transportation. Resistant to shedding, disease and frost. The winter hardiness of the variety is high - the tree can easily survive -35 degrees.

Regionated varieties

Once upon a time, apricots could only be harvested in warm regions, but thanks to new developments in breeding, the best zoned varieties have appeared. Such trees take root in the North, and are also suitable for the weather in the Moscow region.

Elite Hybrid I-05-6

Breeders crossed two self-pollinated varieties - Triumph Severny and Original, resulting in a hybrid that has taken root in the Russian market. Trees grow compact, stunted, with a neat crown. The fruits usually ripen by the end of July. The mass of one apricot can be from 50 to 80 grams.Sweet fruits will delight even the most fastidious gardener with their quality.

Khabarovsk

Apricot self-fertile trees are considered winter-hardy. They bear fruit with a generous quality crop. The fruits are not suitable for transportation, so they are best grown for making homemade jams and compotes. Overripe fruits may have black small patches. At maturity, they have a yellow-green color, tuberous skin with fluff.

Alyosha

Ripens early - from mid-June. The tree can grow up to 4 meters. However, Alyosha can begin to bear fruit in 3-4 years if the tree has been grafted. In spring it blooms with beautiful flowers. Such a tree will decorate a garden or garden plot.

Fruits have a round shape, the color is bright yellow with an orange spot on one side. The bone inside is large, but can be easily removed. Apricots, balanced in taste: they have a slight sourness and a sufficient amount of sucrose, their flesh is juicy.

If there is a problem about the question of which varieties are not injured during transportation, Alyosha is one of the most successful with regards to transportation. Can survive sudden spring frosts as well as winter frosts. Eat them fresh or make spins.

Conclusion

Apricot is recognized as a capricious tree, so it is not easy to grow it in the region near Moscow. But, thanks to resistant varieties created specifically for such an area as the Central European Strip of the Russian Federation, you can get a decent harvest from an apricot tree.

The main thing is to take a responsible approach to the choice of variety and to the proper care of it.

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