Apricot fruits, rich in potassium, can become an active biological supplement for many diseases. For residents of central Russia, until recently, it seemed like a pipe dream to grow this native southern fruit in their own backyard. To date, several winter-hardy varieties have been developed. Apricot variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir is one of those that can grow in temperate climates.
History of selection
The winter-hardy apricot variety received its name in honor of the town of Zhigulevsk, in which it was bred. It turned out to be a souvenir for the scientific community because a person without special education managed to cultivate the variety. Bessmertnov V.V., a resident of the Saratov region, gave his compatriots the opportunity to grow apricots, which are not inferior in taste to southern fruits, in their summer cottages.
The apricot varieties selected by V.V. Bessmertnov - Zhigulevsky Sibiryak, Dar of Heaven, Petrovich, are known to gardeners, but they cannot be found in any directory of Russian varieties. They are not included in the register of fruit trees. The same fate befell the Zhigulevsky Souvenir variety.
Description of the variety
The standard height for fruit trees is 3-4 meters. The crown has a pyramidal shape with an average density of branches. The bark on the branches is smooth, its color depends on the age of the shoot. The older it is, the darker the brown tint; the youngest shoots are green.
The leaves are oval with pointed tips, pubescent on the back. The outer side is much darker, cut by deep grooves.
A description of the Zhigulevsky Souvenir variety would not be complete without information about the yield, which is up to 45 kg per season per adult plant.
Fruit:
- small - 22-35 g;
- the main color is yellow, one side has a bright pink blush;
- the pulp is orange, dense;
- the skin is tender, without pubescence, difficult to separate from the pulp;
- The medium-sized bone is easily separated from the pulp.
The apricot variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir requires certain conditions during flowering. When temperatures drop below zero, there is a threat of crop loss.
Characteristics
The demanding nature of the fruit crop and intolerance to certain conditions are the disadvantages of the Zhigulevsky Souvenir apricot selection carried out by an amateur gardener. Some imperfections of the variety are corrected by grafting more hardy trunks recommended for a particular region by professional breeders. But what the fruits will be like after this and whether the variety will remain self-fertile is an open question.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The winter hardiness of the Zhigulevsky Souvenir variety is high; apricot tolerates frost well. Strong changes in air temperature during the period of swelling of flower buds are the reason for their freezing. After such exposure to the external environment, the buds will simply fall off.
Only severe frosts during flowering threaten to cause barren flowers. In both cases, this threatens crop loss.
The root system of a low plant is close to the surface of the soil; the tree cannot extract water from the bowels of the earth even if the aquifer is close to the ground. Zhigulevsky Souvenir does not tolerate drought well. In hot summers it will have to be irrigated abundantly in the morning or evening. When watering a plant under the rays of the scorching sun, the tree can get burned.
In order for water to get directly to the roots, a circular closed ditch is made around the tree within a radius of 1.5-2 meters from the trunk, into which life-giving moisture will be introduced. This will keep the crop on the branches. If there is a lack of water and nutrients, the tree will drop part of the unripe crop or get rid of it completely.
Pollination, flowering period, ripening time
The tree is self-fertile; bees serve as pollinators, collecting nectar from its flowers. Flowering of the early ripening variety begins in the first ten days of March. Drifts of snow that has not completely melted and sub-zero temperatures cannot affect the timing of flowering.
Apricots are harvested in the last week of July. Ripe fruits are stored for 3-4 days. Unripe ones are stored for a week. They are easier to transport. When damaged by falling or blows, the fruits quickly lose their presentation.
Productivity and fruiting
Under favorable conditions - a warm, stable spring and proper planting - in a corner of the garden protected from the winds, the yield of winter-hardy apricot is consistently high. The tree bears fruit every year, bearing an average of 45 kg of sweet and sour, not very juicy fruits.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Infections and bacteria are practically not dangerous for the Zhigulevsky Souvenir apricot; the plant, bred in an open area in a temperate climate, has a fairly high immunity to local threats. Fungal infections, characteristic of drupes, lie in wait for trees growing in lowlands near water bodies.
The proximity to cherry, plum, pear, and apple trees with sweet fruits increases the risk of damage to leaves and fruits by several types of insects. The average density of the crown contributes to early detection of threats and timely adoption of measures.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Apricot Zhigulevsky Souvenir, judging by the reviews of gardeners, is good for growing in the Moscow, Pskov, Leningrad regions, and Kaliningrad. With proper care, this variety has only one, but very significant drawback - loss of yield even at the stage of swelling of the buds during sudden spring frosts. The undeniable advantage of a fruit tree is its resistance to local pathogens.
Features of planting and care
The need of the apricot variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir for bright sunlight does not allow it to be protected by the walls of outbuildings on all sides.But it is highly advisable to protect the seedling on the leeward side of the site.
Winds blowing almost constantly in one direction greatly influence the formation of the crown. A tree growing in an open area, not protected by a blank wall or fence, will turn out to be one-sided. The same trouble threatens a plant that is planted in the shade of a tall building or next to a brick fence, because the formation of the crown occurs in the first few years.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
Cytosporosis of drupes is diagnosed on apricot trees by gray tubercles on the bark of the trunk and branches, withering and drying leaves long before the onset of autumn. For treatment, a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate and lime) is used.
To prevent the spread of the disease, all affected branches are cut off and burned.
Moniliosis - wilting of apricot leaves and shoots occurs after they acquire a brown tint in the form of spots. A 1% Bordeaux mixture is used as a prophylactic agent. To treat an affected apricot tree, you will need Topaz or Topsin-M.
Bacterial necrosis of apricots - ulcers oozing gum, require complex actions:
- cutting the affected areas;
- disinfection of wood with copper sulfate;
- processing of cuts with garden varnish.
The best protection for a plant from disease is prevention and the correct choice of planting site. For an apricot, proximity to a plot of cherry trees threatens to become acquainted with cherry elephant. From apple trees, cherry trees, aphids will move onto apricots, leaf rollers and spider mites, codling moths.
