Apricot Zhigulevsky Souvenir: description and characteristics of the variety with a photo

Apricot fruits rich in potassium can become an active biological supplement in many diseases. For residents of central Russia, until recently, it seemed an unrealizable dream to grow this primordially southern fruit in their backyard. To date, several winter-hardy varieties have been bred. Apricot varieties Zhigulevsky Souvenir - one of those that can grow in a temperate climate.

History of selection

The variety of winter-hardy apricot got its name in honor of the town of Zhigulevsk, in which it was bred. It turned out to be a souvenir for the scientific community because a person who did not have a special education managed to cultivate the variety.Bessmertnov V.V., a resident of the Saratov region, gave his compatriots the opportunity to grow apricots, which are not inferior in taste to southern fruits, in summer cottages.

Varieties of apricots bred by Bessmertnova V.V. - Zhigulevsky Sibiryak, Dar of Heaven, Petrovich, are known to gardeners, but they cannot be found in any directory of Russian varieties. They are not included in the register of fruit trees. The same fate befell the variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir.

Variety description

Standard height for fruit trees is 3-4 meters. Pyramidal-shaped crown with medium density of branches. The bark on the branches is smooth, its color depends on the age of the shoot. The older it is, the darker the brown tint, the youngest shoots are green.

Oval leaves with pointed tips, pubescent on the back. The outer side is much darker, cut with deep grooves.

The description of the variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir will not be complete without information about the yield, and it is up to 45 kg per season from one adult plant.

Fruits:

• small - 22-35g;
• main color is yellow, one side has pink bright blush;
• pulp orange, dense;
• the skin is tender, without pubescence, it is difficult to separate from the pulp;
• medium-sized stone separates easily from the pulp.

For the apricot variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir, certain conditions are needed during flowering. When the temperature drops below zero, there is a threat to lose the crop.

Features

Demanding fruit culture, intolerance to certain conditions - these are the shortcomings of apricot selection Zhigulevsky Souvenir, carried out by an amateur gardener. Some variety imperfections are corrected by grafting more hardy boles recommended for a particular region by professional breeders.But what kind of fruits will be after that and whether the variety will remain self-fertile is an open question.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

The winter hardiness of the Zhigulevsky Souvenir variety is high, the apricot tolerates frost very well. Strong changes in air temperature during the swelling of flower buds are the reason for their freezing. After such exposure to the external environment, the kidneys will simply fall off.

Only severe frosts during flowering threaten with a barren flower. In both cases, this threatens to lose the crop.

The root system of a low plant is close to the surface of the soil; a tree cannot extract water from the bowels of the earth even if the aquifer is close. The Zhigulevsky Souvenir does not tolerate drought well. In hot summers, it will have to be plentifully irrigated in the morning or evening hours. When watering a plant under the rays of the scorching sun, the tree can get burned.

In order for water to get directly to the roots, a circular closed ditch is made around the tree within a radius of 1.5-2 meters from the trunk, into which life-giving moisture will be introduced. This will keep the crop on the branches. With a lack of water and nutrients, the tree will shed part of the immature crop or get rid of it completely.

Pollination, flowering period, ripening period

The tree is self-fertile, pollinators are bees that collect nectar from its flowers. Flowering of an early ripe variety begins in the first decade of March. Snowdrifts of snow that has not melted to the end and sub-zero temperatures are not able to affect the timing of flowering.

In the last week of July, apricots are harvested. Ripe fruits are stored for 3-4 days. Unripe ones are stored for a week. They are easier to transport. When receiving damage from falling, blows, the fruits quickly lose their presentation.

Yield and fruiting

Under favorable conditions - a warm, stable spring and proper planting - in a corner of the garden protected from the winds, the yield of winter-hardy apricot is consistently high. The tree bears fruit every year, bringing an average of 45 kg of sweet and sour, not very juicy fruits. Disease and pest resistance

Infections and bacteria of apricot Zhigulevsky Souvenir are practically not terrible, a plant bred in an open area in a temperate climate has a rather high immunity to local threats. Fungal lesions characteristic of drupes lie in wait for trees growing in lowlands near water bodies.

Neighborhood with cherries, plums, pears, apple trees with sweet fruits increases the risk of leaf and fruit damage by several insect species. The average density of the crown contributes to the early detection of a threat, timely action.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Apricot Zhigulevsky Souvenir, judging by the reviews of gardeners, is good for growing in the Moscow, Pskov, Leningrad regions, Kaliningrad. With proper care, this variety has only one, but a very significant drawback - crop loss even at the stage of bud swelling during sudden spring frosts. The indisputable advantage of a fruit tree is its resistance to local pathogens.

Features of planting and care

The need of apricot variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir in bright sunlight does not allow it to be protected by the walls of outbuildings from all sides. But on the leeward side of the site, it is highly desirable to protect the seedling.

Winds blowing almost constantly in the same direction strongly influence the formation of the crown. A tree growing in an open area, not protected by a blank wall or fence, will turn out to be one-sided.The same trouble threatens the plant that is planted in the shade of a tall building or next to a brick fence, because the formation of the crown falls on the first few years.

Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention

Cytosporosis of drupe crops is diagnosed on apricot trees by gray tubercles on the bark of the trunk and branches, withering and drying leaves long before the onset of autumn. For treatment, a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate and lime) is used.

To prevent the spread of the disease, all affected branches are cut and burned.

Moniliosis - wilting of leaves and shoots of apricot occurs after they acquire a brown hue in the form of spots. A 1% Bordeaux mixture serves as a prophylactic. To treat an affected apricot tree, you will need Topaz or Topsin-M.

Bacterial necrosis of apricots - gum oozing ulcers require complex action:

• section of affected areas;
• wood disinfection with blue vitriol;
• processing cuts with garden pitch.

The best plant protection against disease is prevention and the right choice of planting site. For an apricot, the neighborhood in a plot with cherry trees threatens to get acquainted with the cherry elephant. Aphids, leafworms and spider mites, codling moths will move from apple trees, cherries, pears to apricots.

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