Many gardeners mistakenly believe that apricot is an exclusively southern crop. Modern varieties of fruit trees take root and actively bear fruit even at low temperatures and extreme environmental conditions. Apricot varieties for cultivation in the Leningrad region were bred taking into account the climate and soil characteristics of this territory.
[toc]
Features of growing in Len. region
When planting and caring for apricots in the Leningrad region, a number of features must be observed. First of all, you should choose a suitable place to plant trees. The site should be located in a lowland, constantly lit and protected from blowing.Trees should not be planted on southern slopes, as the growing season will be more active on them, and flowering will coincide with the period of spring frosts.
If pears, ash, oak or other trees with a deep root system are planted next to apricots, the seedlings will easily take root. It is recommended to plant trees in a 6 x 4 pattern on loamy, sandy loam soils with neutral or weak acidity. Depending on the content of nutritional components in the soil, mineral fertilizing is required. On clay soil it is necessary to use phosphorus fertilizers, and if there is a lack of humus, the soil is treated with manure.
In the Leningrad region, it is better to plant apricots in early spring. The landing process is as follows:
- a pit is prepared up to 50 cm deep and 80 cm wide;
- the lowland of the pit is covered with a drainage layer of broken brick or expanded clay and a layer of river sand;
- fertilizer is applied from a mixture of earth, rotted manure and sand in proportions 3:1:1;
- the cuttings are kept for 10-15 hours in a growth stimulator;
- Cuttings with a beveled cut are placed in the soil.
When planting, the root neck of the cuttings should remain above the ground. Wire arcs are attached above the cuttings, onto which a covering material is fixed, creating a greenhouse effect.
Care in progress growing apricots involves the implementation of a list of standard procedures. One of the main points of care is regular and moderate watering.. Insufficient soil moisture causes foliage to dry out and deteriorate the taste characteristics of the fruit. Excessive watering causes rotting of the root system.
Falling leaves should be collected around trees in the fall to prevent pests. If signs of disease or damage by harmful insects are detected, it is enough to treat the soil with insecticidal and fungicidal fertilizers. In mid-autumn, the trunks of the seedlings must be whitened, thus protecting them from the occurrence of biochemical processes in the branches.
To combat crown density, pruning is required, which is carried out in early spring.
The best varieties
When choosing suitable varieties of apricot trees for the Leningrad region, it is necessary to take into account factors such as the ability to survive in the soil, fruiting and adaptation to the weather conditions of the region. The following varieties are recommended to plant and grow in this area:
- Iceberg is an easy-to-care variety that is frost-resistant and early ripening. The weight of the fruit reaches 30 g, the pulp is tender and juicy. Iceberg apricots are not sour and are suitable for making preparations for the winter.
- Michurenets is a variety that bears fruits weighing up to 40 g. The harvest of this variety has a sour taste. Apricots are bright orange in color and oval in shape and can be stored for a long time and withstand low temperatures.
- Red-cheeked is a variety adapted to drought and frost, demonstrating a high and regular yield. Apricots ripen by the second ten days of July, acquiring a characteristic pinkish tint during growth. The pulp of the fruit is dense and sweet and sour. The red-cheeked apricot harvest is universal in use and suitable for transportation.
- Triumph of the North is a type of fruit tree with a spreading, dense crown. This variety of apricot bears large fruits if properly cared for.The variety is resistant to common diseases and does not lose its taste when exposed to frost.
Also suitable for the Leningrad region are the varieties Kichiginsky, Luchisty, Kuibyshevsky, Shalakh, Karlik and many others. By choosing a variety suitable for the Leningrad region, you will be able to grow a large harvest with high taste and a wide range of useful characteristics.
