Apricot of the Shalah or Pineapple variety is quite famous among the fruit crops preferred by gardeners. Apricots are valued not only for their excellent taste, but also for their content of useful substances: vitamins B, A, C, microelements (iodine, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium), tannins, fiber, acids.
Apricot (dried dried apricots) is especially useful for people suffering from heart and vascular diseases. Strengthens the immune system, has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. It is not recommended for use by patients with diabetes mellitus, as it contains sugar.Breeders threw all their efforts into breeding a variety called Pineapple Tsyurupinsky.
Description of the variety
When describing the characteristics of the Shalah variety, it is characterized as an unpretentious apricot with good yield. It occurs in medium and early maturation.
The tree loves loamy, light loamy soil. It is better to choose a planting site that is sunny and warm, elevated, distant from groundwater and protected from drafts.
Important! For good plant growth, periodic feeding (root and foliar - spraying leaves) and loosening of the soil above the root system is necessary. It is best to do these procedures after rains and watering.
The bark of the plant is grayish in color, with cracks. The leaves are matte, rich green in color, wide.
The plant is prone to crown growth. Pruning branches plays an important role in helping to increase productivity. This is explained by the fact that when removing excess foliage, maximum illumination is created for the tree, which promotes the growth of branches. Pruning can be done in spring or autumn. When old and diseased branches are cut off, the plant is rejuvenated and a crown is formed that is more convenient for caring for the tree.
The plant is moisture-loving. Abundant watering is especially important during the 1st month after planting. Water 2-3 times a week, 10-15 liters per tree.
The Pineapple Tsyuryupinsky apricot has the following characteristics:
- medium height and wide crown;
- fruit weight, on average, 40 grams, irregular beveled shape;
- the surface of the peel is lumpy, with a small fluff, dense;
- The color of the fruit is light yellow, without blush;
- the pulp is light yellow, medium fibrous, juicy;
- the taste is sweet and sour, with perfect balance between sweetness and acidity;
- The seed is smallish and easily separated from the pulp of the ripe fruit.
The difference between the apricot varieties Pineapple Shalah and Pineapple Tsyuryupinsky is that Pineapple Tsyuryupinsky is a more capricious species. And, with improper care (poor watering, lack of pruning), it drops unripe fruits and loses good taste.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Apricot Shalah has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- resistant to moniliosis, clasterosporiosis, leaf curl;
- self-fertile;
- good winter hardiness, drought resistance.
- the ability to quickly recover after winter freezing (however, in severe frost, it can die);
- late flowering reduces the risk of the plant being exposed to frost in the spring;
- excellent yield: annually the tree is capable of producing up to 200 kilograms of apricots in one season, and under favorable climate conditions and good care - up to 350 kilograms. Therefore, it is widely used for processing on an industrial scale in canning factories.
Flaws:
- when the fruit becomes overripe, the taste quality deteriorates and a lot of fiber appears in the pulp;
- easy shedding of ripe fruits;
- cannot be stored for a long time (maximum 7 days);
- does not tolerate stagnation of water in the root system area.
Characteristic
The apricot variety Shalah has its own characteristics:
- the fruit crop has a good dense crown and rapid growth;
- from the moment of 4 years of age it begins to bear fruit every year;
- the trunk can grow up to 5 meters in height.
Bloom
Characteristic:
- the flowering time of the plant depends on the growing climate - in warm areas it comes earlier than in cold ones;
- the flowers are large, up to 3 centimeters in size, with curved white petals, slightly pink on the inside;
- Before 4 years of age, it is recommended to pick off the flowers so that the apricot gets stronger and can bear a good harvest.
Fruit
Fruit characteristics:
- the fruits are large (can reach up to 85-90 grams), oval or ellipsoidal in shape, with slight tuberosity;
- color - from pink-yellow to pale fawn, with a delicate blurry, pale crimson tan;
- the skin is velvety, dense;
- pulp of medium density, juicy, cream color;
- in terms of sugar content – medium sweetness;
- has excellent taste;
- the orange-colored seed is easily separated from the pulp, it is small in size;
- the fruit is well preserved during transportation;
- Can be eaten fresh, dried, canned, added to baked goods and salads.
Ripening period
Pineapple apricots ripen by early July. But the exact timing depends on weather conditions. In the southern regions of Russia, fruits begin to ripen in early June. In the central regions - at the end of July or beginning of August.
Fruit collection
The harvest is harvested in warm, dry weather, no more than 7 days.
Due to the peculiarity of easy shedding to the ground and bruising when dropped, it is better to pick apricot fruits by hand. And don't shake the branches.
Storage Features
Fruits are carefully placed in boxes (wooden, cardboard). Store at low temperatures in special rooms. Bruised fruits cannot be stored. They need to be recycled.
Important! For better preservation, fruits are collected before they ripen, covered with paper or napkins.
How to grow
A fruit tree is obtained in 3 ways:
- From a seedling. For better survival, seedlings must be planted in the spring, before the growing season.Before planting, 1-2 weeks in advance, you need to dig planting holes 60x60 centimeters in advance, with a depth of 70 centimeters or more. It’s best to prepare the hole in the fall.
The bottom of the pit is covered with gravel, then a mixture of peat with soil and mineral components is placed. When planting, you need to ensure that the apricot root system is 7 centimeters higher than ground level. The seedling must be at least 1 year old and have strong roots. There must be at least 2 branches on the trunk. Before planting, it is better to soak the roots in a container with nutrient liquid (a mixture of water and growth stimulant).
- Apricot from the pit.
To obtain a plant from a seed, it is taken from a large and ripe fruit. The day before planting, place the seed in water to soften. Planting is done in nutrient soil, digging a hole no more than 6 centimeters deep, in a place protected from drafts. Afterwards water generously.
It is characterized by survival rate when the variety is propagated by cuttings on other trees (some types of plums, cherry plum, peach).
Places of growth
The homeland of the plant is Armenia. The variety has spread widely throughout Asian countries and warm regions of Russia. Can bear fruit in Siberia and the Urals.
The Pineapple apricot has more advantages than disadvantages, which is why gardeners prefer this variety.
However, it is believed that the most delicious Shalah apricot is a fruit grown in the Ararat Valley in the Caucasus.
