Red-cheeked apricot: characteristic of the variety and cultivation agrotechnology

The variety of red-cheeked apricot among the great variety is distinguished by large and fragrant fruits that have distinctive red sides and an indescribably sweet, alluring fragrance. Such apricots will easily become not only a decoration of any table, but they will certainly be the pride of the owner. Despite the fact that this fruit tree is unpretentious enough to properly grow apricot seedlings Red-cheeked, you need to know some of the nuances, recommendations and rules of care.

History of the variety

The exact history of this variety is authentically unknown, although there is evidence that the selection of the variety was carried out in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden back in 1947, when it was entered in the state register.It is noteworthy that due to a number of advantages and properties, the Red-cheeked apricot has become the progenitor for a number of varieties that are also popular and attract gardeners with their endurance, taste characteristics and high yield.

Description of the variety

Apricot fruits of this variety are characterized by a round (occasionally cordial) shape and large size. Their weight, as a rule, reaches 60 g. A characteristic feature of the fetus is a rough separating seam. Ripe apricots are painted in bright orange color with rich red sides, which served as the basis for the name of this variety. The pulp of the ripe fruit is light and tender. Taste is sweet, with notes of sourness. The Red-cheeked Apricot is a tall fruit tree with a sprawling crown and long branches. The height, as a rule, reaches 4 meters; however, in practice, experts recommend independently forming a crown so that the height is no more than 3 meters, thereby increasing the number of lower branches. This greatly simplifies tree care and fruit picking.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Advantages of Krasnoshcheky:

• rapid growth and development of seedlings;
• high yield;
• receiving the first crops already 2-3 years after disembarking;
• the variety is independent and does not depend on pollination from other trees;
• due to late flowering, the yield of the tree does not depend on the spring frosts;
• favorably takes root and develops on various soils;
• characterized by increased resistance to drought and frost;
• does not require constant care.

The disadvantages of the variety:

• despite the resistance to a predominant number of diseases, it is often exposed to infection;
• predisposition to thickening of the crown forces periodically to carry out treatment from pests;
• grows poorly and bears fruit in the lowlands;
• dependent on abundant sunshine and warm air.

Proper apricot planting

Ensuring the conditions of active, proper development and mass fruiting depends on several factors, the main and decisive among which is the correct planting of the seedling. Many gardeners know in general how to plant an apricot in the spring. The presented instructions will allow to plant the apricot correctly and to a person with experience, and a novice gardener.

How to choose seedlings when buying

It is almost impossible to estimate the yield, durability and strength of the seedling when buying, however, it is possible to draw conclusions about its health and ability to take root in the plot, which is decisive. First of all, you need to pay attention to the condition of the trunk and bark - the presence of cracks and dark spots indicates the pain of the seedling. The root system should be at least small, but stronger. Weak and thin roots - an indicator that the tree will take root quite difficult and long. When buying in the spring is better to choose seedlings with small buds. The height of the tree is not significantly important, but, as a rule, the standard seedling reaches 70 cm.

Site selection and soil requirements

To plant an apricot of the Krasnoshcheshky variety in the garden, it is best to choose a slightly sublime, well lit and reliably protected from strong gusty winds.The tree is quite sun-loving, therefore, a place for apricot should be chosen isolated, distant from the rest of the garden - so the seedling will not be in the shade and will receive a sufficient amount of lighting. The tree, moderately receiving heat and the sun, gives a big crop and simply transfers strong frosts. The lack of moisture compensates for the drought resistance of the Red-cheeked variety.

The soil at the landing site should be loose and light, pre-fertilized. In the pit, it is desirable to organize the drainage. It is noteworthy that the root system of apricot, as a rule, is several times larger than the crown, due to which the distance between the seedlings should be at least 4-5 meters.

Preparation of the landing pit

• recommended dimensions of the landing pit - 65x65x65 cm;
• without fail, the ground intended for backfilling must be cleared of roots, stones and dense pieces;
• It is strictly forbidden to allow salt and salt solutions to enter the soil, which inevitably reduces the fertility of the seedling.

The stages of preparation are as follows:

1. The pit of the set sizes is dug out.
2. Drainage is laid at its bottom (gravel composition, crushed stone, universal drainage).
3. Drainage from above is filled up with a small layer (no more than 10 cm) of cleaned soil, wood ash, humus, ammonium nitrate (or other organic mineral fertilizer).
4. Fertilized layer to prevent contact of young roots with fertilizers from above is filled with clean soil (ideally black soil).

Step-by-step landing scheme

The correct planting is a guarantee of active growth and development of the seedling, as well as a guarantee of a decent harvest.

The sequential landing pattern is as follows:

1. First you need to dig and prepare the landing hole.
2. An apricot seedling is placed in a hole and buried in such a way that the root neck is slightly below the ground level.
3. It is necessary to cover the tree with soil first from the upper layer, and only then from the bottom.
4. After the pit has fallen asleep, the soil in it must be carefully compacted by any means at hand or with feet.At the same time it is necessary to condense from the edges of the pit to its center, that is, towards the seedling.
5. As a result of compaction, the soil will squeeze a little - the level of the soil must be leveled using soil from the pit or the adjacent plot.
6. Planting a seedling ends with watering the tree at the root in a volume of 25-30 liters.
7. The first feeding is best done not earlier than in a week, when the tree begins to take root.

Care for apricot seedlings

Red-cheeked apricot seedlings do not require particularly reverent care, but you should pay attention to the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners to accelerate the growth of the tree and strengthen its condition not only during flowering and fruiting, but also before frost. First of all, the land around the trunk of a sapling should be mulched regularly. This procedure is extremely important because the soil becomes loose and cannot retain a sufficient amount of moisture, which is why the roots are forced to look for water in the deeper layers. Thus, mulching strengthens the root system of the young seedling. Strong roots - a guarantee of health, growth and durability of the tree, so this issue should be taken responsibly. Apricots should be watered regularly and abundantly, increasing the volume and frequency of watering in the spring when the crown is actively forming, and reducing it in the fall.

During the period of the first wintering of seedlings, when the tree has not yet become stronger, despite the winter-hardiness of the Red-cheeked variety, it must be covered with burlap or thick cloth.

Do seedlings varieties Krasnoshcheky crown formed independently, so in the first year, pruning is not worth it. Throughout the time you need to monitor the condition of the seedling, regularly conducting inspections. If cracks are detected, they must be treated with a garden bar. Also, an unformed, weakened tree is often sick and / or attacked by parasites. This is manifested by brown spots, ulcers, cracks, twisting of leaves and other things. Depending on the problems found, the stem can be treated with garden pitch, Bordeaux mixture, or copper-based mineral compounds.

All about the care of the Red-cheeked apricot

As mentioned earlier, the red-cheeked apricot seedlings are quite unpretentious in their care. Along with high yields, this variety is notable for its significant frost resistance and drought resistance. In order to get a high yield of wood and protect it from various pests and diseases, it is enough just to follow the rules and recommendations regarding the main aspects of care: watering, fertilizer and pruning.

How to water

The drought resistance of the Krasnoshchy variety is great, but in real conditions of our climate is insufficient. therefore Watering the tree should be done regularly. Otherwise, the plant will not receive enough water, and the development of the kidneys will stop. As a result - a partial or complete lack of harvest. In the second half of summer, the frequency of watering should be reduced, carrying them out only on dry days, because during flowering and fruiting, excessive moisture prolongs the growth of young shoots, which can also adversely affect the yield.

How to feed apricot

The variety of apricot Red-cheeked is very much appreciated by experts and is widely popular among ordinary people, so every gardener, without exception, seeks to get the maximum amount of fruit harvest.To do this, it is necessary not only to properly water the tree, but also to fertilize it in a timely manner with special compounds.

The first apricot feed must be carried out when planting: for this purpose, humus and / or a complex of mineral organic fertilizers are added to the soil of the planting pit. Subsequently, it is recommended to fertilize apricots after the rest period and in front of it, that is, in early spring and autumn. It is noteworthy that for an apricot the composition of the fertilizer must be multi-component and include not only humus, but also mineral mixtures containing nitrogenous substances.

Basic rules for pruning

Active fruiting apricots occurs on seasonal annuals, flowering (bouquet) branches and spur. Over time, the main tree branches (skeletal) begin to bare, which largely affects the yield of the entire tree.In view of this, as a rule, the main number of buds is located on fresh annual shoots. Cultivation of the Red-cheeked apricot will be more efficient if you regularly prune the tree. First of all, you need to remove old, dry and damaged branches. It is noteworthy that experts recommend pruning and perennial branches with a large number of shoots, but low yield.

The optimal time for pruning is the end of spring or the beginning of summer. During this period, apricot forms and grows, therefore it is relatively easy to tolerate this procedure. It is desirable to cut branches up to the main tree trunk or to the border of a forming bud. After pruning, the place of the cut is strongly recommended to be treated with a mineral compound (to speed healing), and to feed the whole tree.

Ripening and harvesting

The yield of apricot Red-cheeked depends largely on the correct planting and care for the seedling. However, if everything was done correctly, the result will certainly please. Fruit ripening begins in mid-July. This process is usually quite long, which makes it possible to increase the frequency of fees. When yields are high, apricots should preferably be harvested 3-4 times. Thanks to this, it is possible not only to increase the volumes of fresh fruit harvesting, but also to solve the problem of their storage.

Wintering apricot variety Red-cheeked

The winter hardiness of the Krasnoshcheky variety is almost unique, which allows this formed tree to easily transfer any temperature drops, even up to 30 degrees of frost. In order for the tree to easily endure the winter, it is enough to fertilize the soil around the trunk abundantly in late autumn and mulch it.

Young trees, despite the resistance, in the first year after planting is still worth protecting from frost. Make it simple enough. As in the case of strong trees, in the fall you need to feed the sapling and loosen the soil around it. It is advisable to lay a small layer of hay or spruce branches around the trunk to protect the root system from freezing. In case of severe frosts, the seedling itself and a small piece of land around it can be covered with a thick cloth to avoid freezing.

The variety of apricot Red-cheeked is an excellent choice for every gardener, which allows with a minimum of effort and investment to get not only a great harvest of tasty, large, fragrant apricots, but also a real reason for pride of the owner.