Apricot Russian: variety description, characteristics of fruiting and care

Gardeners of the Central Black Earth region and other areas of the middle zone have long dreamed of harvesting southern fruits, but peach and apricot seedlings brought from Moldova or Ukraine could not endure frosty winters, and if they did not disappear, sweet fruits still not happy. These horticultural crops have not been adapted to the climatic conditions of the middle latitudes. The situation changed with the advent of the Russian apricot. The variety feels fine in the Moscow region, and in the Ryazan, and in the Voronezh region, and in the Volga region.

History of selection

Fragrant fruits of orange color were brought to Europe from Armenia. The deciduous tree reaches a height of 8 meters, has powerful roots, and in favorable conditions bears fruit for decades. In Russia, apricots are grown in the Caucasus and in the southern regions. Michurin also worked on breeding hybrids that could endure harsh winters.

The Rossiyanin variety was obtained by selection by specialists from research institutes in the North Caucasus and adapted to the climate conditions of mid-latitudes. Although this apricot is not included in the State Register of crops recommended for cultivation in the country, both summer residents and gardeners are happy to plant it.

Variety description

The stone fruit tree, bred by Russian breeders, reaches a height of 4.5 meters, has a beautiful crown of medium density. Yellow fruits with ruddy sides are distinguished by:

large weight;
dense pulp without veins;
great taste;
oval somewhat flattened shape;
pleasant fragrance.

After reading the description of the Russian variety, summer residents began to plant apricots in their plots. The tree can be seen in yards, small gardens, but it is not grown on an industrial basis, the fruits are not suitable for preservation for the winter, fresh fruits are eaten.

Outwardly, the culture does not differ from other varieties. The bark on young trees has a brown tint, the leaves are a rich green color. White, like snow, apricots are covered when there is still no greenery.

Features

Red fruits ripen in July and weigh from 60 grams, some ripe specimens weigh 70 g.The bone is perfectly separated from the pulp. The tree tolerates frosts exceeding 30 ° C, sudden changes in the weather. Apricot Russian is less likely to be affected by diseases, suffer less from pests than other hybrids.

Drought Tolerant

The plant feels fine in the heat, it can be without watering for a long time, which is inherited from its closest relatives, adapted to the dry summer of the southern regions. However, in order for the tree to please the harvest, irrigation is necessary.

Pollination

Despite the fact that Rossiyanin is a self-fertile variety, it should be planted next to other apricots that bloom at the same time. Thanks to cross-pollination, more ovaries are formed, buds do not crumble.

Yields

"Pink-cheeked" fruits with good care can please a four-year-old tree. An adult plant produces up to 7 buckets of apricots - juicy and sweet.

Fruiting

Yields increase with regular pruning. In mid-latitudes, the culture blooms in May, while in the southern regions - in late March, early April. Unfortunately, frosts can occur in any month of spring and lead to the death of the ovary. The Russian bears fruit, like other apricots, for decades.

Fit features

The characteristics of the variety allow it to be cultivated in different regions. Reviews about the Russian are written even from the Nizhny Novgorod region, where the roots for the winter have to be dug in with earth, but the tree pleases with fruits.

Choosing a landing site

Southern culture loves warmth, afraid of drafts. Apricot grows well in a sunny area, protected from winds blowing from the north. It is not recommended to plant a tree nearby:

with currants;
raspberries;
yoshtoy.

Worse accepted, apricot bears less fruit if a place where a stone fruit culture grew is chosen for it, groundwater is located close to the surface. Variety Rossiyanin responds positively to fertile loose soil with low acidity.

Date of planting

For a young tree, you need to go to the nursery and choose an apricot, where there are no cracks or breaks either on the root or on the trunk. In mid-latitudes, the seedling is moved to the site in the spring. It can be April or May, the main thing is that the kidneys do not wake up, the juice does not flow out. When planting in autumn, there is a risk that the tree will freeze and will not be accepted.

Subtleties of care

Many consider the apricot an unpretentious crop, but if you don't take care of it, you shouldn't expect a few buckets of sweet fruits to ripen on the tree.Any crop variety needs moisture, nutrients, pruning. In the garden, weeds must be removed, pests must be controlled, diseases must be prevented.

Irrigation

Although apricots normally tolerate drought, they also require abundant moisture at least once a month, but water should not be allowed to stagnate.

Young trees are watered frequently, early in the morning or after sunset if possible.

Cutting

In grown seedlings, a crown is formed, leaving no more than 8 branches, forming the skeleton of an apricot. Shoots should not grow from the same place on the trunk. The tree is pruned every spring to help speed up bud development.

Preparing for winter

In autumn, it is necessary to take measures that will help the apricot survive the cold period normally. To prevent cracks from appearing on the trunk and branches, the trees are bleached by diluting a glass of flour glue, 2 kg of lime, 200 g of copper sulfate in a bucket of water.

Before winter sets in:

Remove fallen leaves and dried fruits.
Dig up the soil.
Wrap the lower part of the trunk with needles or strong synthetics.

Such activities will help destroy the larvae that hide in the soil, protect the apricot bark from damage by rodents. The plant will thank for the care and care with juicy fruits.

Pests and diseases

Variety Russian suffers less from viruses and bacteria. However, a cold summer with frequent rains provokes the activation of fungi that cause diseases in apricots in the form of:

coccomycosis;
gray rot;
perforated spotting;
cytosporosis;
leaf curl.

Preparations containing copper can prevent damage to trees. With a monilial burn, when flowering branches dry up, apricots are treated with Bordeaux liquid, Horus fungicide.

To eliminate cytosporosis and other diseases, plants are sprayed with chemicals "Ridomil", "Fundazol". The Russian variety does not suffer from insect invasion, but if pests appear, insecticides are used.