Sunny apricot variety: description and characteristics, planting and care with photo

Description of Sunny apricot variety attracts gardeners. It is characterized by high winter hardiness and regular fruiting. And the number of bright yellow apricots is more than enough to eat plenty and prepare for the future.

History of selection

Growers always want something special to grow on their yard. And planting a bright apricot confirms this.

Work on the zoning of the fruit tree was started by Michurin. On the basis of its varieties, breeders created new ones. Their characteristics became better: the apricot became more resistant to frost and fruited more abundantly. Variety Sunny is a vivid confirmation of this.

Variety description

Before planting an apricot orchard, gardeners study plant data. This is important: a specific type is suitable for each dacha. Variety Description:

pyramidal crown (2-3 m in diameter);
height up to 3.5m;
bark color brown-red;
the location of the shoots is predominantly oblique;
leaf is rounded, the edge is finely serrated;
foliage color bright green;
white flowers;
flowering occurs before the leaves open;
early-ripening variety (ripens in mid-July).

The main value of the Solnechny variety is increased winter hardiness. It easily withstands frosts of -20 … -25 degrees. With a short-term cooling down to -33 degrees, the fruit buds do not remain viable.

Fruiting is quite regular: the tree gives a bountiful harvest in a year. But summer residents harvest a small number of apricots annually.

Apricot characteristics:

maximum fruit weight 45g;
apricot shape is rounded;
dense skin;
transportability is good;
apricot bright yellow with a slight pronounced blush;
juicy pulp, yellow on the break;
taste is pleasant - sweet and sour.

The advantage of Sunny is the friendly ripening of fruits. Apricots keep well: they can be kept in a cool ventilated basement for up to 3 weeks.

Growing details

Sunny is unpretentious. It regularly pleases with fruits with little care. But for abundant fruiting, cultivation should be observed.

Place and time

Apricot is a native of the southern regions of the planet. The work on regionalization of varieties made it possible to grow trees much further north. But for a comfortable existence, they need to allocate a special place on the site. It must be protected from cold northern, northeastern and eastern winds. These air currents dry up fruit and growth buds. The gardener does not get a harvest.

Special attention should be paid to the depth of groundwater. Apricot does not tolerate drought and excessive waterlogging. Soil water on the site should not be higher than 3 m from the surface.

Sunny easily takes root and feels good when placed on the south side of summer cottages. But when planting, the spreading and height of the tree should be taken into account. It is recommended to step back from the wall 3-4 meters.

For planting, 2-3-year-old seedlings should be purchased.They take root better and begin to bear fruit faster. It is recommended to place a seedling in a permanent place in early spring (before bud break) or late autumn (3-4 weeks before a steady cold snap). The tree must have time to take root: this will help it survive the harsh time.

Soil selection

The soil should be close in composition and structure to the soils of the apricot homeland. It should be prepared loose, fertile with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. On acidic soils, it is recommended to carry out liming before planting. Heavy clay soils should be sanded (a bucket of coarse-grained sand per 1 square meter should be brought in for digging).

You need to prepare a landing pit in advance. Its size: 70 cm x 70 cm x 70 cm. The pit should be filled with mature organic matter and the mineral complex mixed with the soil taken out of it. It is recommended to prepare a hole in the spring with the planned autumn planting and in the fall - with the spring planting.

The landing is made in the landing hole. The straightened apricot root system should be placed in it. Sometimes it is not possible to immediately choose a landing site. In this case, it is recommended to dig a tree: in this state, the apricot can spend the season without losses.

Basic landing criteria

For the successful fruiting of Sunny apricot, it is recommended to follow the basic planting criteria:

carefully choose planting material;
purchase seedlings in nurseries;
choose a landing site;
prepare soil;
plant pollinating varieties on the plot: Michurinsky Best, Krasnochekiy, Comrade;
follow the rules of care.

It should be remembered: a he althy plant is practically not affected by diseases and pests. Compliance with the planting criteria will save the gardener from unnecessary trouble.

Wood care methods

Sunny is unpretentious. But for regular fruiting, it is recommended to follow the basic rules of care.

Irrigation

Adult apricot provides itself with water and is able to survive a short-term drought. It should only be watered when there is no rain for a long time.

Young trees require regular watering. Once a month, in the absence of precipitation, it is recommended to deeply moisten the near-stem circle. 1 bucket per 1 tree is enough.

Water-charging irrigation is required for trees of all ages. It is produced at the end of October. The air temperature during the procedure must be positive.

Booking

Sunny requires shaping pruning. This will make it easier to care for the tree and increase productivity. The best time is early spring or late autumn. Sap flow stopped at this time. The tree will survive the operation painlessly. Pruning rules:

crown should be transparent;
all dried and damaged (during snowfall or wind) shoots are removed;
cutting out those growing at an acute angle or crossing branches;
cuts are carried out “on the ring” (to avoid rot);
wounds larger than 1.5 cm are covered with garden pitch or oil paint (to protect against bacteria and fungi).

After snowfalls or prolonged drought, the tree needs sanitary pruning. It is required to remove broken or dried parts of the crown. Such an operation is carried out at any time.

For pruning, a disinfected (alcohol or potassium permanganate) and well-sharpened tool is used.

Feeding the tree

Sunny is responsive to feeding. They are carried out according to the rules:

When planting in a filled planting hole, the first 3 years of feeding are not performed: the tree has enough nutrition.
Then mineral complexes should be applied twice a year: in spring and autumn.
Organic tree is given in early spring (immediately after the snow melts): a bucket of mature compost per 1 square meter.

It is important not to overdo it: an excess of organic matter weakens the tree's immunity.

Diseases and pests

Adult Sunny with good care is almost not damaged by pests. But young trees are damaged by aphids or leafworms. In this case, insecticide treatment should be carried out immediately.

In cool, humid summers, fruits become ill with blossom end rot. To prevent the disease, spraying with antifungal drugs helps. You can buy them in the departments of garden stores.