The best apricot varieties for the Moscow region and their description, which trees to plant

Sometimes it is not easy to choose the best and high-quality varieties of apricots for the changeable climate of the Moscow region. This region belongs to the Central European Zone of the Russian Federation. Due to the fact that the weather in Moscow is unstable, breeders advise buying seedlings that are resistant to weather changes. Trees that can safely withstand natural disasters will be able to produce a good harvest.

Variety selection criteria

The weather in the Moscow region can be described in one word - unstable. Winter here is long, with frosts followed by sharp thaws. Sudden frosts may occur in spring. Therefore, it is worth taking a responsible approach to choosing a successful variety of self-pollinating apricot for Moscow and the Moscow region.

So, an apricot seedling must have winter hardiness. The main signs of frost tolerance include:

• the plant can withstand increasing air temperature drops down to -30 degrees;
• kidneys have little sensitivity to cold;
• how soon after warming the growth of a seedling and the appearance of ovaries on it awakens;
• During frost, the buds remain unharmed.

Since the Moscow region is vast, planting apricots is most successful in the south or southwest. Gentle southern and southwestern slopes near Moscow are also suitable. The area for planting seedlings should be illuminated by the sun. Equally important is protection from north winds and high humidity.

It’s worth knowing: successful varieties of apricot seedlings for the Moscow region are those that have increased resistance to sudden cold snaps and sudden changes in weather.

If we talk about the land where pears, plums, ash and maple trees grow, then the environment here is favorable for apricot seedlings. A tree that has reached a height of 1.2 meters must be grafted to protect the bark from becoming warm.

Another indicator of a successful variety for Moscow is self-fertility. An important selection criterion is if the tree can be pollinated by its own pollen or by seedlings planted nearby that belong to the same variety. Varietal trees are obtained in the only way - by grafting.This fruit cannot reproduce by cuttings.

The best apricot varieties for the Moscow region

Regarding the Central European region of the Russian Federation, the following names stood out the most:

• Black velvet;
• Alyosha;
• Iceberg;
• Winter-hardy Suslova;
• Snowfinch;
• Honey;
• Russian;
• Red-cheeked;
• Triumph Northern.

The above varieties of apricots are rated with the highest scores. In addition to these varieties, several more early-fruiting hybrids can safely take root in the Moscow region. Those who have been growing apricot trees for a long time advise beginners to plant the Lel variety, which turned out to be ideal and almost win-win for the Moscow climate.

Self-fertile varieties

Such apricots can be an ideal option for decorative garden lands, where you can plant several trees to decorate the area. They bear fruit every year because they can pollinate themselves. The following are the most popular varieties with good self-fertility for the Moscow region.

Red-cheeked

3-4 years after the tree was planted, you can reap a high-quality harvest. Fruiting of the Red-cheeked variety begins in mid-summer. Its yield can pleasantly surprise you - up to 100 kilograms of juicy apricots are produced from one tree. The ripe fruits reach up to 50 grams. They have an oval shape, orange color with reddish splashes.

Thanks to its thick skin with velvet fluff, this fruit tolerates transportation well. Ripe fruits can be easily pitted. The bone in an apricot is small - it occupies about 7% of the total mass. The taste of Red-cheeked is sweetish, with a sufficient amount of sucrose, juicy, the sourness is almost imperceptible.The only drawback is that this tree may not survive strong humidity, so it is recommended to graft it.

Pineapple

From such a tree you can harvest up to 150 kilograms of fruits annually. Apricots ripen at the end of July. The fruits of the Pineapple variety reach up to 50 grams and have a round, lumpy, uneven shape. The bone inside is not large, it can be easily removed.

The fruit itself is bright yellow, and a reddish spot can often be seen on the side.

The pulp has a light yellow fibrous structure, with a high content of juice and sucrose. It is better to eat pineapple fresh, as when preserved it loses its taste. If there is a threat of frost, it is recommended to cover the tree with oilcloth or other insulating materials.

Melitopol early

The fruits reach peak ripeness towards the beginning of August. Its yield is estimated at 100 kilograms per tree annually. Can grow up to 6.5 meters, often requires pruning of branches. The weight of one apricot is about 40 grams. The fruits are oval in appearance, yellow-orange in color, with subcutaneous black dots.

The taste is sweetish, slightly tart, the flesh is juicy, bright orange. The apricot skin is soft, with fluff. Apricots are used in the preparation of jams, confitures, and compotes. They are not recommended for transportation due to their soft skin.

Lel

Compact trees of this variety do not reach a height of more than three meters. They grow slowly and are moderately branched. The active rays of the sun can make them grow faster. The fruits from such a tree have a flattened-round shape, their weight reaches no more than 23 grams. Apricot skin is most often glossy. The pulp is juicy, elastic, bright orange.

Lel tolerates transportation well.The variety is known among gardeners for the fact that its fruits are characterized by a balanced taste. Such trees are resistant to sudden frosts. The disadvantages include the large bone, so it is better to remove it to make jams or confitures.

Columnar apricots

These varieties are prized because they are compact and also look beautiful in gardens or homesteads. The trees are beautiful and eye-catching, and they also bring a generous annual harvest. With proper care, seedlings of columnar varieties produce high-quality apricots 2 years after they were planted in the ground.

Prince March

A low tree, reaching about two meters in height. Blooms in mid-March-early April. The fruits reach their peak ripeness in mid-summer. The color of such apricots is bright orange, with a slight blush. The weight of one Prince is from 35 to 60 grams. The leaves on the tree always have sharp tips. This apricot survives winter frosts well down to -35 degrees. Thanks to the appetizing sweetish pulp of Prince Martha, it is best eaten fresh.

Important: this plant requires regular watering, frequent fertilizing, pruning and prevention from harmful insects.

Star

This representative will take root in almost any climate of the Russian Federation. The apricot tree tolerates sudden cold snaps well. The weight of the fruit sometimes reaches 100 grams. The color is most often bright yellow, with smooth skin. If the flowers are removed from the plant in the first year of its life, then in the second year the tree will produce a generous harvest.

Winter-hardy and frost-resistant varieties

Due to the unstable climate near Moscow, picky fruit trees can freeze.But if you choose certain varieties of apricots that can survive harsh winters and sudden thaws, you can get a fairly generous harvest.

Snegirek

In terms of winter hardiness, it outperforms other varieties. If it is covered with a light shelter in winter, then Snegirek can safely bear fruit in the northern regions. Such a low tree usually does not exceed 1.5 meters in height. Not afraid of sudden frosts. Grows in good and poor soils.

The fruits of this variety have a dense skin, and their quality can be maintained until the end of December. The color of the fruits is light yellowish, with a slight blush. The pulp is sweetish, pleasant in taste and smell, but sometimes tastes bitter near the skin. The disadvantage of Bullfinch is a tendency to monoliosis and spotting.

Triumph Northern

Such a delicious juicy apricot was obtained through the selection of two apricots. They were Red-cheeked and Northern Early. The fruits from such a tree have a round, slightly flattened shape. The apricot is covered with light fluff. It tastes sugary, soft and juicy. The color of the fruit is usually yellowish-orange, with a scarlet blush.

The harvest reaches peak maturity at the end of July. Can grow up to 4 meters. The weight of one apricot is 45-55 grams. The harvest from one tree is 60-70 kilograms.

Hardy

This apricot is named so for a reason. This is because it can take root even on the most unfavorable soil and survive frost, moisture and heat. In the spring, when sudden cold weather can kill the buds of other apricot varieties, Hardy will safely endure such weather inconveniences.

The tree can grow quickly, but it begins to bear fruit only after 5 years. The fruits at the peak of ripeness are medium in shape, up to 60 grams. The color of the skin is light orange, with fluff. The inside of the fruit is sweet, with a pleasant aroma.The harvest from one tree is up to 80 kilograms. It is recommended to collect fruits from Endurance closer to the beginning of August.

Low-growing apricot varieties

The convenience of dwarf trees for the garden is determined by their compactness, attractive appearance and convenience. The height of such apricots is no higher than three meters. Dwarf apricots can begin to bear fruit in the second or third year of life.

The only drawback of such trees is special attention to soil moisture.

Airlie Red Orange

One of the most successful very early hybrids. Brought out in America in 1920. In the Moscow region, fruit ripening occurs at the end of June and beginning of July. By weight, one apricot is approximately 65 grams. Early Red Orange tolerates transportation and can be stored for a long time in wooden boxes.

Mature trees look like small poplars. The branches grow compactly, extending from the crown at an acute angle. The pulp of the fruit is soft and light orange in color. According to the tasting assessment, the apricot received 4.7 points. The fruits are rich in vitamins and are recommended to be eaten fresh.

Crimean Amur

The variety bred in the Nikitinsky Botanical Garden was well received by gardeners, and subsequently it took root in the Moscow region. The resistance of this tree is manifested to many fungal diseases, frosts and droughts. The tree grows with spreading branches and quickly gains height.

A mid-late variety. Self-fertile apricot, which guarantees a bountiful harvest for 5-6 years of life. The fruits are often round and weigh about 60-90 grams. The skin of the Crimean Amur is yellow-orange with a slight blush. The color of the pulp is light orange; the taste of the fruit is ripe and juicy.

The fruits of the Crimean Amur have good taste, therefore it is recommended to eat them fresh or make preparations with them for the winter. Apricots tolerate even long-term transportation well.

Early varieties

Such apricot seedlings are in great demand on the market. After all, first of all, early ripening is important for those people who sell apricots.

Aurora

It was bred by breeders in France. Fruits belonging to the Aurora variety can be harvested at the end of June. Ripe apricots are round in shape, with smooth dark orange skin and purple spots. Aurora has dense flesh, which makes it easy to transport.

They taste sweet and pleasant. Suitable for swirling jams, confitures and compotes. It is not difficult to care for the tree, but during severe cold weather it is recommended to insulate it with oilcloth.

Egyptian pharaoh

This variety is suitable for those gardeners who, after planting an apricot seedling, expect a quick harvest. Such a tree will begin to bear fruit in the second year. The fruits ripen quite early - in mid-June. Apricots are large - up to 100 grams. The skin on the fruit is bright orange. They taste pleasant, sugary, without sourness. The pulp has a lot of juice, practically without fibers or veins.

Egyptian pharaoh can be grown in the southeast of the Moscow region. It requires simple care - watering, feeding with fertilizers, trimming branches. Also, if frosts in winter exceed -25 degrees, it is better to cover the apricots with insulation.

Harostar

Refers to self-fertile varieties. It was bred in Canada. Harostar is loved in the CIS countries and is in demand on the Russian market. Ripens from the 20th of June to mid-July.Every year it brings a generous harvest - up to 100 kilograms from one tree. The fruits weigh up to 70 grams and are oval and flattened in shape.

The pulp is orange in color, the structure is not fibrous, without veins. Apricot tastes sweet and dessert. According to experts, it deserves 4.8 points out of 5. The fruits are not damaged during transportation. Resistant to shedding, disease and frost. The winter hardiness of the variety is high - the tree can easily survive -35 degrees.

Zoned varieties

Once upon a time, apricots could only be harvested in warm regions, but thanks to new developments in breeding, the best regionalized varieties have appeared. Such trees take root in the North and are also suitable for the weather in the Moscow region.

Elite hybrid I-05-6

Breeders crossed two self-pollinating varieties - Triumph Northern and Original, resulting in a hybrid that has taken root in the Russian market. The trees grow compact, low-growing, with a neat crown. The fruits usually ripen by the end of July. The weight of one apricot can range from 50 to 80 grams. Sweet fruits will delight even the most fastidious gardener with their quality.

Khabarovsk

Apricot self-fertile trees are considered winter-hardy. They bear fruit with a generous, high-quality harvest. The fruits are not suitable for transportation, so they are best grown for making homemade jams and compotes. Overripe fruits may have small black spots. At the ripe stage they have a yellow-green color, lumpy skin with fluff.

Alyosha

Ripens early - from mid-June. The tree can grow up to 4 meters. However, Alyosha can begin to bear fruit in 3-4 years if the tree has been grafted. In spring it blooms with beautiful flowers. Such a tree will decorate a garden or personal plot.

The fruits are round in shape and bright yellow with an orange spot on one side. The bone inside is large, but can be easily removed. Apricots are balanced in taste: they have a slight sourness and a sufficient amount of sucrose, their flesh is juicy.

If there is any difficulty regarding the question of which varieties are not damaged during transportation, Alyosha is one of the most successful in terms of transportation. They can survive sudden spring frosts as well as winter frosts. They should be consumed fresh or made into twists.

Conclusion

Apricot is recognized as a capricious tree, so it is not easy to grow in the Moscow region. But, thanks to resistant varieties created specifically for such an area as the Central European Strip of the Russian Federation, you can get a decent harvest from an apricot tree.

The main thing is to take a responsible approach to choosing a variety and properly caring for it.