Breeders of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden were engaged in breeding the apricot variety Crimean Amur. The variety is quite frost-resistant and particularly demanding on growing conditions. Resistance to dry weather and fungal infections is at an average level.
Description
The Crimean Amur is growing quite quickly. The apricot variety is fast-bearing. In the fifth or sixth year, the trees begin to bear fruit. Yield indicators reach high levels.
The description of the apricot variety is supplemented by the following information about the fruit:
- weight varies from 50 to 90 g;
- round shape, compressed on each side;
- the abdominal suture is deep;
- thin, dense peel;
- color yellow-orange;
- presence of blurred blush;
- the pulp is juicy, tasty, with sourness;
- tasting score 5 points out of 5;
- high keeping quality.
Important! Crimean Amur differs from many apricots in that it is self-fertile. In other words, it develops well and bears fruit without pollination from other varieties; replanting of pollinators is not required.
Characteristics of the variety
Crimean Amur apricot reaches a height of 170 cm. Depending on the region, fruit ripening occurs at the end of July - beginning of August.
The variety tolerates winter cold well and produces a large harvest. Apricots are large and can be used for any purpose. The seeds are easily separated from the pulp.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Crimean Amur are as follows:
- Rapid development and growth.
- A bountiful harvest.
- Self-fertility.
- Trees are not afraid of spring frosts due to late flowering.
The disadvantages of apricot varieties include:
- susceptibility to fungal infection;
- poor health in the lowlands;
- dependence on sunlight and heat;
- requirement for care.
Features of cultivation
Before purchasing a seedling, special attention is paid to the trunk and bark. If cracks and dark spots are visible, then this directly indicates a weak and painful specimen. The root needs to look stronger. It is better to purchase seedlings with small buds approximately 70 cm high.
For planting, a slightly elevated place in the garden is selected, maximally protected from the wind. For good growth, the area must be illuminated by the sun.
The soil at the planting site is loosened and pre-fertilized. Drainage is organized at the bottom.
Important! The root of the Crimean Amur grows far beyond the crown circumference.Therefore, if you plan to plant several trees, it is recommended to place them at a distance of 5 meters from each other.
Care
During the growing process, you must follow the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners. Then the apricot will grow faster and begin to bear fruit earlier. It is imperative to strengthen the condition of the tree at every stage.
The soil from the tree trunk circle is regularly mulched. After all, the soil becomes loose and loses its ability to hold a sufficient amount of moisture, which forces the tree’s root system to spend energy searching for additional water at depth.
Filling the Crimean Amur is excessively contraindicated. The seedlings will not suffer from this, but extra shoots will begin to form. They easily take away the strength of the plant, which, in turn, quickly loses growth and yield.
Before the onset of winter, trees wrap themselves up. Usually burlap or agrofibre is used. If the region is characterized by more severe frosts, then a non-woven fabric is added on top for warmth.
The Crimean Amur must be constantly monitored and any changes noted. If cracks are found on the trunk, they must be treated with garden varnish.
Prevention and treatment of diseases
In spring, treatment of the Crimean Amur from parasites and diseases is carried out as follows:
- Before the buds begin to swell, sanitary pruning of trees and thinning of branches is carried out.
- Taking a special metal brush, remove larvae, caterpillars, egg laying, and green lichen.
- Before bud break, plants are sprayed with 3% Bordeaux mixture. The crown is treated with the same solution, only with a concentration of 1%, 14 days after flowering. Copper oxychloride, Tsineb, and Kaptan are also used for this.
In the summer (no later than 2 weeks before picking fruit), the trees are sprayed with Chorus, colloidal sulfur, and antifungal drugs.
Important! Do not use chemicals to treat apricots before fruiting. It is better to use a hose to wash off pests and traces of previous spraying with water.
In the autumn, after leaf fall, apricot trunks are treated with urea at the rate of 700 grams per 10 liters of water. In late autumn, copper preparations are applied to the plants. In case of cold weather, iron sulfate is used.
