Aquarius apricots are a winter-hardy variety, not distinguished by outstanding fruit shapes, but striking in their balanced taste. The harvests are stable; one mature tree is enough to provide a family with tasty, healthy fruits.
History of selection
The variety was bred in the Main Botanical Garden of Russia (in Moscow) by free pollination of the Lel seedling. Like most varieties bred under the guidance of the responsible breeder L.A.Kramarenko, the Aquarius apricot is quickly gaining popularity. Work on its improvement lasted for 8 years, from 1996 to 2004.
Description of the variety
The powerful skeleton of a 6-meter tree can withstand not only a 30-kilogram harvest, but also strong gusts of wind, frost and other climate conditions that are not typical for traditional apricot growing areas.
Features of the apricot tree of the Aquarius variety:
- the bark is brown with a reddish tint;
- the crown of medium density is formed from straight shoots;
- large round leaves with a pointed tip, dark green, without visible veins;
- Aquarius flowers are small and white;
- branching of young plants is sparse;
- In mature trees, the bark is cut into deep grooves on both the trunk and branches.
The variety of apricots bred for cultivation in central Russia does not differ in any special decorative qualities. During lush flowering, the tree looks weightless and airy.
A description of an apricot variety would not be complete without characteristics of the fruit:
- orange pulp of medium density;
- yellow skin with a faint blush;
- round shaped fruit;
- the symmetry of the fruit is emphasized by a pronounced longitudinal scar;
- weight 27-32 g;
- the small bone is easily separated from the pulp;
- taste sweet and sour;
- tasting score 4.5 points.
A young apricot tree yields 10-15 kg per season, the yield of an adult plant is twice as much. Apricot Aquarius is not a long-livers. The fruit tree will produce rich harvests for 18-20 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
The best qualities of the variety are:
- The resistance of the winter-hardy apricot tree to viral and fungal diseases, including clasterosporiasis.
- Enduring harsh winters without catastrophic consequences requiring long-term restoration measures.
- Rare cases of watering in conditions of prolonged drought.
- Consistently high yields.
- Self-sufficiency, no pollinator plant is required for the formation of ovaries.
- High taste characteristics of fruits.
There are significantly fewer disadvantages - poor transportability and inconvenience of harvesting from the crown of an adult tree.
Characteristics
The average fruiting apricot variety Aquarius practically does not cause any problems for gardeners, as follows from the characteristics and reviews of amateur gardeners from different regions.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
Young trees do not have long enough roots capable of extracting water from layers of soil far from the surface; during periods of drought they must be watered abundantly. The older the plant, the less it needs watering.
Judging by the reviews of gardeners from the northern regions, Aquarius' frost resistance is better than that of many winter-hardy varieties. But in frosts down to -40 °C, even this apricot can get damaged. Recovery from frostbite is relatively easy.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Aquarius blooms quite violently. It begins when above-zero daily temperatures are established outside. The tree, like a shawl, is wrapped in white small flowers, emitting a light honey aroma for several meters in the area. It attracts insects that promote high-quality pollination. Fruit ripening occurs in the middle period, starting around mid-August.
Productivity and fruiting
For a temperate climate, the fruits of the Aquarius apricot are quite large.The stability of fruiting lies not only in the fact that flowers and fruits appear on apricots every year, but also in the predictability of the weight of the crop.
From a young tree that begins to bear fruit in the third year after planting in a permanent place, 10 to 15 kg are harvested. Every year the tree produces more and more fruits. By the age of 8, its productivity reaches a maximum of 25-30 kg.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Drupes are most susceptible to viral diseases. Aquarius, like most winter-hardy varieties bred in temperate climates, is resistant to these diseases. It is impossible to completely exclude the disease of Aquarius with moniliosis, scab, and clasterosporiasis. High-quality prevention and distance from other fruit trees are the best protection against viruses, fungi, and insect pests. Despite the alluring honey aroma, aphids do not like Aquarius apricots.
Features of planting and care
Planting should be done in the spring so that the seedling can grow stronger over the summer. This will help him survive the winter without any major consequences. Twice root feeding per year. The first time Kemira fertilizer is applied to soil enriched with ash, humus, peat in the fall, on the eve of planting. Spring feeding consists of nitrogen fertilizers and superphosphate. At the stage of fruit ripening, Aquarius apricot requires phosphorus.
On depleted soils, watering with a solution of humus diluted with water 1 to 10 is a necessity. Even winter-hardy varieties of apricots do not like cold watering, so the water and composition for irrigation should be heated in the sun.
After harvesting in early September, you can begin pre-winter preparation, which involves whitewashing the lower part of the trunk.You can add copper sulfate to the whitewash, this will provide additional protection against fungal infections. Whitewashing is also done in the spring months, which protects the plant from woodworms and other insect pests.
