Apricot Sardonyx: variety description and characteristics, yield with photo

With apricot Sardonyx it is impossible to remain without a harvest. The variety has a high rate of frost resistance not only of wood, but of flowers. Gardeners plant 1-2 trees on the plot and enjoy juicy fruits to their heart's content.

History of occurrence

Michurin began to work on the zoning of heat-loving apricots. His most successful varieties were taken as the basis for the work of the breeder's followers. Sardonyx was obtained by crossing Champion of the North and Amber.

Variety description

Gardeners don't hesitate to occupy planting areas with Sardonyx. It has excellent technical data. The variety description confirms this:

apricot begins to bear fruit in the 4-5th year of life in the garden;
medium-late variety (fruits ripen in mid-August);
partially self-fertile (pollinators are required for a good harvest);
frost resistance of a tree minus 33.7 degrees Celsius, blooming flowers - 2.8;
medium-sized tree (up to 3 m tall);
crown dense, spherical;
bark brown, thick;
leaves are large, the edge is slightly serrated;
flowers are white.

Sardonyx requires the presence of pollinators. Suitable Amber, Michurinsky Best, Champion of the North.

Apricot characteristics:

maximum fetal weight 52g;
apricot shape ovoid, irregular;
the skin is dense, strong;
apricot yellow;
juicy, yellow pulp;
taste delicate, sweet-sour;
fragrance is pleasant;
The pit of a ripe fruit is easily separated.

The tree takes up a lot of space in the summer cottage: it is recommended to place trees at a distance of 5-6 m from each other.

Features of cultivation

To obtain an annual stable harvest of delicious fruits, you must follow the rules of cultivation.

Soil selection

Sardonyx is not capricious. But it requires loose, fertile soil 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 soil is removed and neatly folded next to the pit. Then it mixes with mature organic matter and the mineral complex and returns to its place. It is recommended to prepare a hole in the spring with the planned autumn planting and in the fall - with the spring planting.

It is important to consider the depth of groundwater: Sardonyx does not tolerate waterlogging in the root area. Groundwater should be deeper than 3-4 m from the soil surface.

Optimal planting period

A young tree must be well established before the onset of winter. Only in this way will he be able to survive the unfavorable time.

Sardonyx should be planted in early spring (before bud break) or autumn (in the first half of September, 3-4 weeks before the onset of a steady cold snap).

If the gardener cannot immediately plant the purchased seedling in a permanent place, the tree should be buried in a trench. So the apricot will wait for the placement time without harm to itself.

Growing Technology

Sardonyx requires compliance with growing technology. Only in this case the gardener will get a good harvest.

Irrigation

Adult Sardonyx provides itself with water. It is recommended to water it only during prolonged drought. Young seedlings require regular moisture (once every two weeks).

2-3 weeks before fruit ripening, watering should be stopped: excessive moisture will spoil the taste of apricots.

Cutting

Sardonyx is prone to overgrowth. Excess shoots need to be cut. Formative pruning should be done regularly. 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).

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

Feeding

Sardonyx is responsive to fertilization. Mineral complexes are recommended to be applied in spring and autumn. Mature organics - only in the spring. Compost and humus are poured out along the trunk circle. The earth is then loosened.

Reproduction

Gardeners often seek to propagate a variety. This can be done through vaccination. An apricot with different characteristics grows from the stone. It can be used as a rootstock. And the graft should be taken from an adult Sardonyx tree.

Diseases and pests

Sardonyx has weak immunity. To protect against pests, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatments with insecticides. If signs of pest infestation appear, insecticides should be applied.

Spraying with copper-containing preparations will help protect the variety from diseases. Preventive measures give excellent results: removal of plant residues, timely weeding.