How to grow an apricot from a stone: planting and care in the country in the open field

Table Of Contents

Which apricot pits are suitable for planting
When to plant an apricot
About the landing pattern
Care after planting a seedling
Grafting a tree grown from seed
Will an apricot grown from seed bear fruit
The nuances and timing of planting in accordance with climatic conditions

Apricot is a tree famous for its yield, taste of fruits, unpretentiousness in care. That is why even in a small garden, the owners try to allocate a plot for a tree. It is not necessary to buy seedlings, if you figure out in advance how to grow an apricot from a stone and the basic rules of agricultural technology, it is quite possible to get high-quality planting material.

Which apricot pits are suitable for planting

It is believed that trees grown from seed rarely retain their mother's characteristics, although many gardeners have found out in practice that this is not the case.That is why, when planning to propagate the culture with seeds, it is recommended to pay attention to the taste of the fruit. Apricots should be large, sweet, with juicy aromatic pulp. You also need to check the taste of the kernels of the seeds - there should not be too obvious bitterness. First you need to also decide which variety is preferable for the region. In cool areas, it is better to grow early apricots, in warmer regions - medium or even late ripening.

When planning to grow a tree from seeds, it is recommended to first check the quality of planting material:

Pour warm water into a container.
Dip the seeds into the liquid.
Remove the stones floating on the surface, they are unsuitable for growing, low-quality material will not give sprouts.

Use only fresh seeds for planting. Even with proper storage in a cool room, germination in just a year is significantly reduced.

When to plant an apricot

The optimal time for planting apricot seeds is autumn, spring, but even in summer, gardeners who love to experiment plant seeds that quickly sprout. Regardless of when exactly the planting material will be sent to the ground, you need to prepare the bone for planting. Until it freezes (does not pass the stratification stage), it is not necessary to expect the appearance of sprouts.

It is recommended to properly freeze planting material in natural conditions, but before spring or summer planting, you will have to send the seeds to the freezer. Autumn planting is simpler - just send the seeds into the ground so that sprouts appear with the advent of heat.

Spring

In the spring it is recommended to carry out the germination of planting material in open ground. It is important to take care of a suitable place in advance - choose a sunny area, without drafts.

Replanting plants planted after winter is possible only next spring, normal care is recommended during the summer.

Send seeds for stratification 2-3 months before planting. Use a freezer for this - low temperature guarantees high germination. If there is no time left for freezing, it is recommended to use an emergency method - soak the bones in ice water for 2-3 days. Change fluid with ice cubes regularly.

Autumn

Plants obtained from seeds planted in autumn are resistant to difficult climatic conditions and diseases, but in terms of germination they are significantly inferior to spring planting material. The seeds are sent to open ground just before the frost - from the last days of October until the snow falls.

Not an obstacle to planting planting material, even frost. The main thing is to make grooves in advance and stock up on soil, with which to sprinkle the seeds later.

About the landing pattern

It is better to plant apricot pits in long furrows. The distance between the rows is at least half a meter, this will allow watering, loosening the soil, fertilizing without the risk of damaging delicate trees. Planting depth - up to 7 cm.

Leave a small distance between the bones - 20-30 cm, which is recommended to be reduced if there is doubt about the quality of the planting material. It is better to germinate the seeds first, then thin them out.

Recommended soil composition

The success of growing an apricot tree largely depends on the right soil. The soil should be light, provide access to oxygen. If the soil on the site is heavy, it is better to purchase a ready-made substrate for seedlings or mix a special composition:

3 parts garden soil;
a piece of coarse sand;
2 pieces of turf;
part of wood ash;
2 pieces of peat;
a piece of clay.

It is recommended to add a little s altpeter (no more than a handful per 10 liters of soil mixture). Mix thoroughly - the components should be evenly distributed. The same soil composition is also recommended for transplanting seedlings.

Be sure to put a layer of drainage - fine gravel, pebbles, crushed bricks. Put the prepared soil mixture in the furrow, carefully place the bones, sprinkle with a layer of soil. It is recommended to use mulch (peat, compost), which will allow you not to worry about the drying of the soil.

Optimal planting spot

For planting young plants in the country, it is recommended to choose a cozy corner without drafts. Make sure that gusts of wind do not harm the trees - put up a fence or choose a site near outbuildings.Apricots are a heat-loving crop, so it is recommended to choose a sunny place for planting them. Light partial shade is also allowed, but there is a risk that the trees will stretch too much.

Unwanted neighborhood

Compatibility with other fruit trees also plays an important role. It is not recommended to plant apricots near large crops - apple trees, pears, nuts. The wide crowns of neighboring plants prevent access to sunlight, fresh air, which causes diseases and poor fruiting.

On the site, the most recommended neighbors for apricots are cherries and plums. The culture feels good near shrubs - currants, raspberries.

Seedling planting depth

It is better to prepare a planting pit for apricots in advance. Recommended diameter - at least 70 cm. Depth - up to half a meter. Be sure to put a drainage layer.

Basic planting rules:

put prepared nutrient soil (10 cm) on the draining layer;
pour a low mound on which to place the root processes;
sprinkle with soil, easy to compact;
put a mulch layer;
water abundantly.

Be sure to immediately tie the seedling to the support, which will allow you not to worry about gusts of wind.

How far to plant

When calculating the distance between seedlings, it is recommended to take into account the apricot variety. Some representatives of this culture grow up to 15 m with a crown radius of more than 4 m. Plants should not be planted too close to each other or other fruit trees - subsequently, such negligence to the rules of agricultural technology threatens with poor fruiting.

Recommended distance between apricots - at least 5 m. You can use a checkerboard planting - leave also 5 m between rows.

Care after planting a seedling

Regardless of the crop, transplanting is a lot of stress for the plant. That is why considerable attention should be paid to seedlings, to ensure timely watering, the introduction of nutrients, and pruning. Regularly inspect the trees, checking for pests - insects can destroy young plants.

Protection from pests and diseases

The easiest way to protect plants is to take preventive measures in a timely manner. Regularly remove dry, damaged or diseased branches, collect insects. It is imperative to carry out preventive spraying of seedlings with Bordeaux mixture, copper sulphate. It is recommended not to forget about whitewashing with slaked lime.

Loosen the soil at least once a month, weeds take a lot of useful substances from the soil, which will immediately affect the growth and development of the crop.

Shaping trees

Like most fruit crops, apricot requires crown formation. It is recommended to start pruning 1-2 years after planting in a permanent place. The main trunk is usually shortened, the distance from the ground surface to the cut point is 75-80 cm.

After the formation of the crown, skeletal shoots are pruned. Leave the central branch shortened by about a third. Regularly also remove shoots growing from one point - it is recommended to leave only 1-2 branches.

Fertilizer

At first, the apricot has enough nutritional components that were introduced during planting. If the soil mixture was not used, it is recommended to put mulch (mix compost with superphosphate, potash fertilizers).To improve flowering and more active fruiting, it is recommended to spray with a nitrogen composition in the fall. Prepare the solution at the rate of 100 g of nitrogen fertilizers per 10 liters of water.

Irrigation

Watering apricots should be carried out in dry weather, but not too often - the trees are afraid of waterlogging. The norm for a seedling is up to 10 liters of liquid. It is recommended to first loosen the soil, this will allow moisture to penetrate to a greater depth.

Particular attention should be paid to watering three times - at the time of flowering, when the ovary appears, two weeks before the ripening of apricots. Use only warm liquid, aged for several hours under the sun.

Apricot care in winter

The root system of an apricot endures even severe frosts, but it is better to insulate young trees for the winter. It is easy to do this - build a small hut of branches around the trunk, wrap it with foil, put spruce branches.Older trees are easier to protect from frost - just wrap the main trunk with burlap or straw. Cover the trunk area with a thick layer of mulch, spud with snow in winter.

Grafting a tree grown from seed

It is not necessary to graft apricots grown from seeds - it often happens that even without this operation, the tree begins to actively bear fruit after a few years. The optimal time for grafting is early spring, the kidneys should be at rest. It is better to prepare the graft in advance - since autumn.

Store in a cool place - in the basement, refrigerator. The recommended grafting method for young seedlings is copulation. Make long cuts (up to 3 cm). After connecting the sections, fix the grafting site tightly.

Will an apricot grown from seed bear fruit

Apricots grown from seeds do not differ in fruiting from grafted plants, although the first fruits will appear 2-3 years later than cultivars.During ripening, water the tree abundantly, otherwise there is a risk that the plant will not cope with the weight of the fruit. After fruiting, it is recommended to make sure how much the tree repeated the maternal characteristics. If the apricots do not differ in size or taste, they need to be vaccinated.

The nuances and timing of planting in accordance with climatic conditions

Much in the cultivation of apricots depends on climatic conditions. The warmer the region, the higher the opportunity to get full-fledged plants from seeds, to achieve a good harvest, not to pay attention to shelters for the winter.

Planting an apricot in central Russia

Growing a crop in regions with moderate climatic conditions will not be difficult. Planting seedlings should be carried out in spring (April, May) or in mid-autumn (October). Be sure to cover the plants for the winter - use burlap, spruce branches, snow.

Planting an apricot in Belarus

The temperate climate of Belarus allows planting seedlings in early spring or mid-autumn. As in the regions of Russia, which do not differ in low severe temperatures, you will have to use a cover for the winter. With the onset of the first warm days, be sure to remove the spruce branches or burlap - melt water can harm the culture.

Planting an apricot in the Urals

The harsh conditions of the Urals make it possible to grow good large apricots, but it is recommended to give preference to early varieties. Landing should be done no earlier than May and no later than the end of September. Be sure to lay down a thick layer of mulch, which will serve as an additional cover before frost. The trunk must also be insulated - severe frosts can damage the delicate bark of young trees.

Planting an apricot in Siberia

When planting seedlings in harsh Siberian conditions, it is recommended to monitor the weather conditions.Go to the garden after the onset of stable heat - in May, June. With autumn terms, it is also better not to be late - planting should be carried out in August, September. A warm cover for the winter is a must, and it is recommended to insulate the trunk circle and the main trunk.

If the plant is not too large, wrap even branches with burlap or film, pre-assemble them in a large bundle and fix with twine. Growing apricot, this wonderful crop, from seeds is an interesting process and not too complicated. The main thing is to follow the recommendations, the rules of agricultural technology, carefully care for the tree, and avoid gross mistakes that can be fatal for the plant.