In many countries, breeders, by crossing various fruit trees, obtain hybrids that combine the qualitative characteristics of several crops. In taste and aroma, the fruits of the Peach apricot resemble the Breda variety, which was very popular in Europe. Gardeners in the Nikolaev and Odessa regions of Ukraine speak positively about the hybrid and cultivate it in the North Caucasus. The pulp of the fruit is sweeter than that of ordinary apricots and has the smell of pineapple.
History of origin
Today, breeders are developing not only new varieties of fruit trees, but also hybrids that are hardy, less likely to be affected by diseases, and the fruits have an unusual but also pleasant taste. Scientists obtained Mainor by crossing cherries and plums. The tent, which is grown in the Caucasus, captivates with the rich aroma of cherry plum and beautiful purple color, but does not contain the characteristic sourness; it is overwhelmed by the sweetness of the plum.
Breeders bred the Peach apricot by crossing both popular garden crops, resulting in a self-fertile hybrid that boasts high yields, disease resistance, and a pleasant taste of fairly large fruits.
Description
The hybrid apricot tree does not grow higher than 3 meters, and there are no difficulties in collecting fruit. The variety has a rounded and wide crown and thin shoots, which have to be shortened every year. Smooth leaves of rich green color expand from the tip to the base.
The fruits are different:
- bright orange color;
- matte skin;
- juicy pulp;
- slightly bumpy surface;
- oval shape.
In the taste of apricot, acidity is harmoniously combined with sweetness, and the smell is reminiscent of the aroma of tropical pineapple. From the peach, the hybrid inherited the shape of the leaves and the size of the fruit. The weight of some specimens reaches 60 g.
Before planting an apricot in the garden, you need to carefully read the description of the variety, since, in addition to its advantages, the plant also has disadvantages. The pulp ripens unevenly, the stone is not separated very well, and the period of fruit ripening is extended for a long time.
Characteristics of the tree and fruits
The tree blooms in the second half of May, when frosts are rare; the variety can be cultivated in mid-latitudes, but apricot has not become widespread there.
If there is a lack of moisture, the ovary of the hybrid crumbles; if there is excess moisture and over-ripening, the pulp becomes mealy and the taste deteriorates. The life span of a tree does not exceed 10 years.
Features of cultivation
Peach apricot, although considered a hardy crop, does not always take root well; sometimes it does not please with sweet fruits even in the southern regions.
Choosing a landing site
A site for growing a tree must be carefully selected. The heat-loving crop needs a lot of sun; it does not tolerate cold winds blowing from the west and north. Apricots can be protected from drafts by buildings or fences, but their shadow should not fall on the tree.
You should not plant the plant in lowlands where groundwater comes close to the surface of the earth. The roots cannot withstand excess moisture and will rot. The best place for growing a hybrid is a slightly elevated, well-lit, southern side of the site.
Landing dates
Young trees are sold on the market both in spring and autumn. Apricots selected from the nursery take root better, and there is a high probability that it will be the Peach variety, and not the wild variety that grew next to the railroad. In the south they start planting already in March, in the middle zone - in May.
Apricots have time to get used to new conditions if they are moved into open ground in September or October; in the North Caucasus or Ukraine, trees are planted in November. Place them at a distance of 4 m from each other.
Soil type
Apricots do not grow where groundwater is located closer than 3 meters from the surface of the earth. The crop thrives best on light loams, sandstones, and irrigated chernozems, which contain large amounts of microelements and vitamins. The tree does not tolerate acidic soils.To reduce this indicator, the area is limed with ash.
Heavy soil must be diluted with peat and sand. Apricots do not grow on clay itself.
Care
In addition to following the rules of agricultural technology, a hybrid plant needs nutrients, moisture, and protection from pests and diseases.
Watering
Some gardeners mistakenly believe that if apricot is drought-resistant, there is no need for irrigation. When mulching the soil in the tree trunk circle, trees are rarely watered, but in hot weather you need to check whether moisture is present at a depth of 10 cm. If the soil is dry, you need to add several buckets of water under the apricot.
Top dressing
How to fertilize a tree depends on its age and soil type. A two-year-old hybrid needs organic matter. For one plant, a bucket of rotted manure is enough; a quarter cup of ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride and 130 g of superphosphate are also added.
For a five-year-old tree, the dosage of mineral fertilizers increases; at least 25 kg of organic matter is required.
Advantages and disadvantages
Peach apricot is valued for its ability to withstand both drought and cold and to quickly recover from spring frosts. The ovary does not die because the tree blooms late. The advantages of a hybrid include:
- no need for pollinating neighbors;
- high productivity;
- good transportability;
- excellent type of fruit.
The hybrid is rarely affected by leaf curl and hole spotting. Significant disadvantages of apricot include uneven ripening of the pulp and a short life span.
Pest and disease control
Cool weather provokes the activation of fungi, the proliferation of which leads to infection of fruit trees with gray rot and coccomycosis. Helps prevent problems from occurring:
- Pruning diseased shoots.
- Burning blackened fruits and leaves.
- Spraying plants with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate solution;
- Treatment of wounds and cracks with antiseptics.
To cope with moniliosis, systemic fungicides are used. To combat codling moths, aphids, and spider mites, folk remedies are used in the form of decoctions and infusions of garlic and onions or insecticides.
