Apricot varieties "Peach" is in good demand among gardeners. Next, we will understand its characteristics, planting, as well as the features of the care and cultivation of this crop.
Apricot variety “Peach”
the fruits of the “Peach” apricot ripen in August, but the first can be removed at the end of July
variety "Peach" gives a large harvest
Origin of the variety
Peach apricot belongs to hybrid crops. This means that this variety was obtained as a result of the merger of two fruit trees: peach and apricot. The bred variety took all the best from both fruits, which ensured considerable popularity.
There are such main types of hybrid apricot and peach:
- Sharafuga - combines in addition to peaches and apricots, also plums. Such a culture has become extremely popular in Russia due to the high rate of its productivity.
- Plumkot and a priori - New hybrid varieties combining the seeds of plum and apricot trees. At the same time, the plumkot consists of plum almost 75%, and aprikos is the basis of apririum.
- Marquee - a combination of plum and cherry plum. The variety was especially popular in the south of Russia, the Caucasus and in the central part of Asia.
- Pichorin - combines peach and nectarine. By the weight of the fruit, it looks more like a peach, but the skin is smooth, like nectarine.
As for peach apricot, the names "Pineapple" or "Muscat" are still used in everyday life. This is due to a similar description. But you should know that the pineapple variety is larger and with a richer flavor.
General description of peach apricots (tree, fruits)
Apricot trees of the Peach variety usually grow no higher than 3 m and belong to medium-sized crops. The crown of the tree is quite sprawling, medium-dense. Shoots are thin, need pruning. And the leaves have a saturated green color and expand from the end to its base.
The fruits have:
- matte, slightly rough skin of bright orange color;
- rounded oval or just round;
- slightly compressed sides;
- pronounced wide abdominal strip;
- average weight from 40 to 55 g;
- tender, sweet flesh.
Bright blush, which is often characteristic of apricots when ripening, is absent. As for the taste, it is sweet and sour, with a light aroma of tropical pineapple. The bone of the fetus is easily separated from the pulp.
Features and Features
Apricot of this variety begins to bloom in the second decade of May, which makes it possible to hope for a good harvest. After all, unexpected frosts and sudden temperature changes are already unlikely.
From one crop you can get an average of 140 kg of apricots per season. True, this is provided that the tree grows in a comfortable place for itself and receives the necessary amount of moisture. If the plot is arid, the fruits may deteriorate and fall off early.
Watch the video how peach apricot trees look:
Fruiting and pollination
Peach begins to bear fruit in the 4th year of its “life”. If the tree is properly maintained, then it will be possible to enjoy the first fruits already at the end of July. And you can harvest by mid-August. Ripening occurs unevenly, which allows the collection in several stages.
Apricots are self-pollinated crops, which means that they do not need additional planting of pollinating varieties. True, it should be understood that in adverse weather there can be no insects, and in this case it is permissible to pollinate the culture on its own.
You can do this in the following ways:
- with a piece of cotton wool or rabbit fur, attach to each flower;
- for 10 sec. close a toothbrush (preferably electric) to the inflorescences;
- turn on the fan or hair dryer at medium speed, and then point it at the flowers of the tree.
Choose one of the pollination methods and spend it 3 times: at the very beginning, in the middle and after the flowering period. Do this in the morning (before 11 o’clock) or in the evening.
Advantages and disadvantages of peach apricot
Analyzing all the characteristics of peach apricot, we can distinguish the following merits of the variety:
- resistance to frost and low temperatures;
- resistance of a tree to diseases;
- good tolerance of drought;
- self-fertility, which eliminates the need to plant pollinating trees;
- late flowering, which allows the culture to grow even in a cool climate;
- good yield;
- long shelf life;
- fruit transportability;
- the ability to use the fruits as a sold product;
- interesting taste;
- wide scope of use of fruits.
As for the shortcomings, apricots of this variety are prone to shedding due to their heavy weight. Also, the crop needs cropping and depends on the level of soil moisture during fruit ripening. Uneven and late ripening of apricots can also be attributed to the minus.
Landing recommendations
To get a good apricot crop, you need to follow the basic rules and recommendations for planting a Peach variety. At the same time, the choice of a place for planting, its timing and the preparation of the soil for planting are of considerable importance.
Seat selection
The place for planting an apricot peach tree should be:
- protected from strong winds and drafts;
- as much as possible lit by the sun;
- with a groundwater level of 3-4 m from the surface of the earth;
- with fertile, moisture-saturated soil (sandy loamy or loamy soils are suitable).
On clay soils or dry chernozems, this variety is uncomfortable to grow and its yield will be far from good indicators. The soil should be neutral, slightly acidic. Sour soil necessarily lime.
An ideal option for planting a peach apricot is a small hill in the south of the site. You can "cover" the tree from drafts with a fence or light buildings, but you need to make sure that their shadow does not fall on the culture.
Landing time
Plant peach apricots in spring. In the south of the country, gardeners can do this already at the end of March, and in the middle lane - in May. Planting trees in the spring will help them adapt to weather conditions faster and grow stronger before the onset of cold weather.
Preparation of soil and seedling
After you have purchased apricot seedlings and decided on the place of planting, you can begin to prepare the soil:
- Dig the grooves under the trees in advance (their dimensions should be about 80 cm in length and the same in width). At the same time, leave the top of the soil, and remove the bottom.
- Mix the top with compost or rotten manure, add 0.5 kg of superphosphate and a little bit of wood ash. Mix everything again.
The distance between planted crops should be 4-4.5 m. This is necessary so as not to allow the roots of the trees to mix with each other, which is very detrimental to the yield and health of seedlings.
Landing process
When the recesses are ready, and the soil is properly fertilized, you can begin the process of planting seedlings:
- place the seedling in the middle of the recess;
- gently straighten its roots;
- check the location of the root neck - it should be 5-10 cm in the ground, taking into account the type of soil (5-6 cm for chernozem and 10-12 cm for sandstone);
- while filling the pit, tamp it a little so that there are no "air pockets";
- at the end of the planting, tamp the soil and water the planted crop so that the soil is saturated with moisture.
To maintain soil moisture and protect the tree from sudden changes in temperature, mulch the space around the trunk with sawdust, straw, pine conifer or small foliage. In winter, use snow as mulch.
How to care for peach apricot?
After planting a peach apricot, you need to take care of it accordingly, so that the tree grows healthy and pleases with a good harvest. Consider the main nuances of caring for a fruit crop.
Top dressing
In the first year of his life, apricot does not need to be fed. This is due to the fact that if you did everything right, then the planting pit already contains enough organic and mineral fertilizers to grow the crop.
But over the next years, top dressing is already necessary:
- in the spring for 2 years of life, fertilize the tree with a mixture of 15 kg of humus, 45 g of ammonium nitrate, 135 g of superphosphate and 45 g of potassium chloride;
- in the spring for the 5 year life of an apricot tree, feed it 25 kg of humus or organics, add 190 g of superphosphate, 90 g of saltpeter and 55 g of potassium chloride.
For convenience, you can use ready-made fertilizer. But at the same time, monitor the preservation of the dose of each constituent substance. And after any top dressing, be sure to water the crop abundantly and loosen the soil or mulch the space around the trunk.
Watering
To understand if the time for watering has come, insert a 1.5-meter stick into the ground and look at the dryness of the soil below 10 cm. If there is moisture near the roots, you can not water the tree, otherwise the root system will become too wet and begin to rot.
Water the apricot early in the morning or after a sunny sunset. If it is not possible to withstand these conditions, cover the watered space around the tree trunk with loose improvised material to preserve moisture.
Cropping and shaping the crown
Apricot tree of the Peach variety needs the formation and pruning of foliage. This must be done so that new shoots develop faster, and the foliage is not overloaded with a large number of branches.
Trimming Nuances:
- Do not touch the tree for the first few years, so as not to inhibit its growth;
- inspect the culture in the spring and remove dried, broken or diseased branches in time;
- remove or shorten those branches that grow inside the crown itself - this is necessary so that all the shoots receive the necessary amount of light.
Watch the video on how to prune an apricot tree:
Diseases and Pests
Peach apricot is considered a tree that is highly resistant to diseases and pests. However, it is necessary to know what culture can get sick.
The main diseases, their symptoms and methods of treatment:
Disease name | Symptoms | Treatment |
Mushroom Walsa | An orange ulcer appears on the trunk, near which wood tar stands out. | Treat the tree with a “Switch” 2-3 weeks before harvesting. |
Ribbon mosaic | Yellow stripes on the leaves, leading to the death of foliage. | Put a solution of lime with copper sulfate on the barrel. |
Moniliosis | Flowers fade, the skin of the tree cracks, leaves fall. | Treat the tree with green buds with 3% Bordeaux fluid, then with Teldor during flowering or Horus after flowering according to the instructions. |
Annular smallpox | Dark red spots and “freckles” appear on the fruits, which are painful swellings and dry branches. | The treatment is complicated, so it can be easier to destroy the affected tree. |
As for pests, then they can and should be combated. Consider the main insects that can harm a fruit crop.
Pests and options for dealing with them:
Pest | Ways to fight |
Aphid | If the aphids are small - dilute liquid soap, if the tree is completely covered with parasites - use Fufanon or Fitoverm. |
Leafloader or "night butterfly" | Clean and burn the bark covered with cracks, and after collecting the fruits, treat the culture with a concentrated composition of Chlorophos. |
Moth | Use a 0.5% mix of Entobacterin or a 0.2% mix of Chlorophos. |
Be sure to monitor the appearance of diseased shoots and cut them in time, burn blackened foliage and fruits, treat “wounds” on a tree, treat with antiseptics. Also, for prophylaxis, spray fruit crops with a solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid.
Gardeners reviews
Larisa, 41 years old, Moscow, economist. Planted peach apricots in his country house. I can note that the variety is unpretentious and easy to care for. And the fruits are very tasty and juicy. You even forget that you eat regular apricots. It seems to be some kind of exotic fruit.
Igor, 52 years old, Rostov-on-Don, programmer. Very productive grade. The main thing is to feed on time and do not forget to trim. The apricots are delicious with an unusual aroma. The next year I decided to plant a couple more of these trees.
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Apricot trees of the Peach variety are in great demand among gardeners. This is facilitated by the unusual taste of the fruits, unpretentiousness in care and the culture's resistance to frost and various diseases.