Apricot Kichiginsky: variety description, planting and care, disease control

Among the variety of fruit trees, it can be difficult to choose exactly the one that will delight the gardener and bring a delicious harvest. Few look towards the apricot, because it is known that this crop bears fruit well only in warmth and does not tolerate cold months. But breeders are confidently moving forward in their developments. Thanks to their work, Kichiginsky apricot has long been cultivated in the Urals.

Kichiginsky variety history

By the end of the 20th century, at the Chelyabinsk Institute of Horticulture, breeders bred a new fruit crop by crossing two apricots - Siberian and Manchurian. This is how the Kichiginsky variety appeared, which is characterized by increased resistance to frost.

The authors are K. K. Mullaianov and A. E. Pankratova. Their variety of apricots passed all the tests and was recorded in the register for the Urals in 1999.

Description

Kichiginsky apricot variety trees are medium tall, their height is 3.5-5 m. The shoots are formed straight, the crown is well formed.

Fruits grow round and even. Color - yellow, weight from 13 to 15 grams. Each fruit has an easy-to-separate stone, which makes it easy to use apricots in processing.

The description of the variety about the pulp of the fruit says the following:

density and juiciness at a high level;
share of sugar 6.3%, organic acids - 2.3%;
taste sweet and sour;
no bitterness;
tasting score - 4.5 points out of 5.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The main benefits of Kichiginsky apricot are as follows:

increased level of winter hardiness;
rich harvest;
long distance transportation.

The negative aspects include the small size of the fruit, as well as self-infertility in the case of a single planting.

Features

Kichiginsky apricot has several amazing properties that deserve a detailed description.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness

The variety is not susceptible to dry conditions. Trees are watered only during flowering, if there is not enough rain during this period.

Trees tolerate winter well, they are highly resistant to frost down to -40 ° С.

Important! Apricots of the variety are subject to root collars. When the thaw comes, water appears between the snow and the soil, freezing and thawing several times.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

Kichiginsky begins to bloom in early May, this happens earlier than other fruit crops. But due to the early entry into the period of flower formation, there is a risk of death of the buds, because at this time there are spring frosts.

Apricot Kichiginsky is not able to self-pollinate. Apricot varieties Chelyabinsk Early, Piquant are perfect for him to help. One of the main features of Kichiginsky is that it serves as the best pollinator for all varieties of the Ural development.

By the beginning of August, the fruits can already be removed and eaten. During the harvesting of fruits from trees, a hard skin is noted, which softens during storage.

Productivity, fruiting

The fruits are first harvested in the 5th year. Compliance with growing conditions allows you to collect a maximum of 15 kg from one tree.

Resistant to diseases and pests

Kichiginsky has high resistance to many infections. But still, preventive treatment of each tree is recommended. After all, the presence of high humidity and low temperature can provoke the development of fungi.

Fit features

Planting seedlings and caring for them is generally easy. It is only necessary to adhere to the rules of agricultural technology.

Date of planting

Culture is planted in the spring, at the very beginning. The landing hole has been prepared since the end of last summer season. Autumn plantings are also allowed. In these cases, holes are dug in 2 weeks.

Choosing a landing site

It is best to plant an apricot in the area where:

no cold and choppy places (landings must be protected by a house or a high fence);
flat ground;
predominant loamy soil;
good daylight available.

If you plant a tree in a low-lying place, it will develop very slowly, and you may not wait for the harvest at all.

What can be planted nearby

Kichiginsky apricots cannot develop well close to currant, raspberry, apple, pear, plum and hazel.

Specialists recommend planting a group of apricots of various types. Perennial grasses belonging to shade-loving varieties develop well under them.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Trees aged 1 year and with powerful roots are suitable for planting. Each of them is carefully examined, and a copy is selected on which there is no decay and damage.

Before the planting procedure, a mash is prepared, mullein and clay are taken for cooking. The mixture is cooked until a consistency is formed, like sour cream. A seedling root descends into it.

Steps of planting

To successfully land, you must do the following:

Drainage layer of small pebbles is poured on the bottom of a pre-prepared pit, after which it is left for 14 days.
The following are added to fertile soil: humus, superphosphate (500 g), wood ash (1 liter).
The seedling is placed in a hole, the root is covered with earth.
The soil is compacted, the planted apricot Kichiginsky is watered abundantly.

Care

For 4 years, trees are protected from freezing. To do this, they are wrapped in burlap, or a special frame is made, covered with a film.

When using organic fertilizers during planting, they can only be re-applied after 3 or 4 years. But the mineral fertilizer complex is added every year.

Attention! Top dressing containing nitrogen accelerates the development of shoots and slows down their ripening, which leads to a decrease in the level of resistance of Kichiginsky apricot to cold and warming. Such fertilizers are used until the middle of the summer season, and it is even better to use potash and phosphorus along with them.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The formation of brown spots on the fruit indicates fruit rot. Trees are processed by Horus or Nitrafen.

Green marks on the leaves, as well as with a brown tint, gradually affecting shoots and fruits, are caused by scab. In such situations, processing is carried out with products that contain copper.

As a preventive measure for these diseases, fallen leaves are removed in a timely manner, spraying with fungicides is carried out.

If the leaves roll up into a tube and cracks appear on the bark, this means that a leaf roller has started on the tree. "Chlorophos" will be able to save her from it.

A sign of the invasion of weevils is the defeat of leaves, buds, flowers. Serious lesions lead to leaf drop. Spraying "Decis" or "Kinmiks" will help get rid of the pest.

Prevention against parasites is as follows: they dig the ground near the trunk and treat the Kichiginsky apricot with insecticides in early spring and late autumn.