Breeders around the world work every day to invent new varieties of vegetables, fruits and other food crops. New species are also appearing among fruit trees. One of them is an unusual dark-colored apricot called the Black Prince. Characteristics and description of this species, as well as features of cultivation are further in the material.
Description of the Black Prince variety
The fruit tree - apricot Black Prince - is small in size, something between a huge bush and a small tree, as the description of the variety says. The bark has a dark green tint. You can often see thorns on old branches.
The leaves are oval or ovoid in shape. During flowering, the tree is covered with soft pink or white flowers. And already at the beginning of the last month of summer, juicy dark burgundy fruits ripen.
Breeders note that the hybrid variety Black Prince has the largest fruits among other crossed species. The fruit with a bright burgundy core, on average, grows from 40 to 80 grams.
Characteristics of the variety
The Black Prince blooms somewhat later than the yellow apricot species. This feature of this species allows you not to worry that the tree will die from late frosts. Ripe fruits are poorly stored as they quickly soften. Therefore, transporting this product is extremely difficult.
The tree of the Black Prince variety is early-bearing, the first harvest can be harvested after several years of cultivation. Like classic apricot varieties, the hybrid also has periodic fruiting.
Fruit trees of this variety are resistant to diseases such as:
- Moniliosis.
- Cytosporosis.
- Clusterosporiasis.
In addition, the Black Prince can easily survive the winter cold.
Description of fruits, taste
Those who have tried various varieties of hybrid fruits note that the Black Prince is the most delicious among dark-colored apricots. The fruits have a sweet and sour tart taste and have an aroma characteristic of apricots.
Jam, compotes, juices and other desserts are prepared from ripe fruits.
The appearance of the fruit attracts with its unusualness. In the middle, the fruit has burgundy-colored pulp with orange tints. The small fruit seed is easily separated from the fruit.
Another advantage of a hybrid fruit tree is its ability to produce a large harvest.The variety is a self-sterile species, so for pollination in the neighborhood it is necessary to plant a classic variety of apricots, plums, cherry plums or sloe.
Features of agricultural technology
Gardeners do not consider the Black Prince apricot to be a capricious variety. Even those who decided to grow a fruit tree for the first time can cope with this task.
In order to enjoy the pleasant taste of juicy black apricot fruits after some time, the gardener must adhere to the basic rules of agricultural technology.
Planting and care
The seedling is planted in the ground in the spring, before the buds open. Cloudy or light rain weather is a good time for planting.
Attention! A seedling planted in the spring will definitely take root.
In regions with a cool climate, autumn planting is contraindicated. In warm regions, it is allowed to plant a hybrid in September so that the tree can adapt several months before the cold weather.
Black apricots grow well in areas where there is plenty of sunlight and no strong wind. The fruit tree is not picky about the choice of soil, but does not like excessive moisture.
There are no specific features in caring for a hybrid, unlike other stone fruit species. It is necessary to water, feed and prune the tree in a timely manner. During the winter cold, young trees must be wrapped to prevent small trunks from freezing. And with the beginning of spring, the trunks of the seedlings are treated with a lime solution.
The Black Prince tree requires frequent watering in moderate doses. During the warm summer months, watering is required less often, as the plant does not tolerate excess moisture. After harvesting, it is recommended to significantly reduce watering so that the shoots survive the winter.
An important rule when choosing fertilizers for black apricot – do not use nitrogen fertilizers, and also do not get carried away with excess fertilizers. A small amount of mineral fertilizing, using phosphorus and potassium, during the period of fruit formation will be sufficient.
The crown of the tree is not densely branched, so the fruit does not need frequent pruning. In the first spring months, before the formation of buds, mandatory pruning of branches that have frozen in winter or been damaged is carried out.
As for diseases and pests, the Black Prince apricot is one of the most resistant varieties to these troubles. However, preventive measures to prevent diseases will not hurt.
