Apricot Black Velvet: variety description and yield characteristics with photo

Many summer residents dream of growing exotic crops that will amaze everyone with their original and delicious fruits. These qualities are possessed by the apricot variety Black Velvet. The tree is unpretentious and does not require special care knowledge. Unusual fruits have a good tasting score. The main plus is the ability of the apricot to grow in central Russia.

Variety description

The variety arose by chance as a result of unintentional cross-pollination of trees:

• regular apricot;
• cherry plums.

The seeds from the fruit were planted, as a result of which a new type of apricot took root and attracted the attention of breeders.

Thanks to this, it became possible to obtain new types of black apricots. One of which is Black Velvet.

Variety description:

• plant with a flat-round, spreading crown;
• the variety has an average growth, it grows a maximum of 20 centimeters per season;
• fruits from the 4th year;
• frost resistant;
• flowers are not afraid of return frosts;
• for a good harvest, you need to plant pollinators nearby;
• black-purple fruits, juicy.

Apricots grow small, weighing about 30 grams.

Characteristic variety

Apricot Velvet has the strong qualities of apricots and cherry plums. Before planting a crop, you need to carefully study the characteristics and find out if the variety is suitable for growing in certain conditions.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

The ideal condition for a plentiful and stable harvest is a sunny, windless, warm summer. The plant tolerates low temperatures well. Unlike the usual varieties of apricots, the flowers do not fall off during return frosts, and as a result, the yield increases. But Black Velvet does not tolerate summer drought well. Therefore, it requires regular watering.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

The variety is partially self-fertile, so you need to plant pollinators nearby, which include:

• common apricot;
• Chinese plum;
• turn;
• Russian plum;
• cherry plum.

Flowering comes later than the usual varieties of apricots. Fruit reach technical maturity:

• in warm areas in July;
• in the middle lane in August.

For best yield, it is recommended to plant several Black Velvet seedlings side by side.

Yield and fruiting

The plant begins to bear fruit from the 4th year.

Fruits:

• small;
• with a velvety skin of medium density;
• multiple;
• weighing no more than 30 grams;
• brown or blue;
• fragrant, juicy;
• sweet and sour.

A mature tree produces about 60 kilograms of fruit. Fruits regularly. The variety is universal. Therefore, apricots are consumed fresh and used for conservation. Harvested on time, slightly unripe fruits are stored without damage for about 4 months in a well-ventilated basement. Pre-harvest is laid out in three layers in boxes.

Resistant to diseases and pests

Plant resistant to:

• moniliose;
• clusterosporiasis;
• cytosporosis.

These are the most common diseases that commonly affect stone fruits. Due to its high resistance to fungal diseases and systematic preventive measures, the plant produces an annual bountiful harvest.

Pests dangerous to the variety:

• weevil;
• Khrushchi.

Prophylaxis is able to prevent the attack of pests by almost 100%.

Pros and cons

Virtues of the Black Velvet apricot variety:

• high winter hardiness;
• long shelf life;
• disease resistance;
• the tree is compact, low;
• good fruit transportability;
• neat crown;
• regular fruiting;
• high yield.

Flaws:

• small fruit size;
• crop does not tolerate drought well;
• wet summer can cause root rot.

Features of planting and care

The planting rules do not differ from the usual varieties of apricots. In order for the plant to grow and develop quickly, they choose the right place for planting and correctly plant the seedling:

• choose a well-lit place with constant access to sunlight;
• so that low temperatures do not damage the trees, apricots are planted near the households. buildings or near the house;
• the plant does not tolerate waterlogging, so seedlings are not planted in the lowlands;
• choose light loamy soil;
• seedlings are planted immediately in a permanent place, as the plant does not tolerate transplantation;
• open-rooted seedling planted in early spring, containerized tree can be planted from early spring to mid-October.

Before planting, the land is fertilized. After planting the plant, the near-stem area is mulched with sawdust.

Care includes:

• regular feeding;
• shelter for the winter;
• cropping;
• watering.

After pruning, to avoid infection with diseases, the cuts are treated with garden pitch.

Disease and pest control

Prevention is the best protection for a plant. To do this:

1. In autumn, the garden is cleared of leaves. This prevents the reproduction of pests. The leaves are burned and the ashes are used as fertilizer.
2. Sick and dried branches are removed, and the crown is also regularly thinned out. The procedure is carried out before the onset of cold weather or in early spring. Branches are burning.
3. To protect the plant from pests, the trunk and large branches are whitewashed with special garden paints.
4. To protect trees from rodents in winter, trunks are wrapped with roofing material.
5. Before the first leaves appear, the tree is treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
6. Protect the plant from insects with a trapping belt.
7. Treated with systemic fungicides to prevent fungal diseases.

If you follow simple recommendations, Black Velvet will delight you with a bountiful harvest of delicious, juicy fruits.

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