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Plum Apricot is a fast-growing hybrid of apricot and plum. A variety with a rich history has become a favorite of many summer residents, commercial gardeners. Unpretentious care, excellent fruit taste, high frost resistance are significant advantages of the Apricot plum over other fruit crops.
Breeding history of the variety
The history of the variety begins in the last century. For 30 years, US breeder Floyd Zeiger has been experimenting to produce a new variety. Crossing plum with apricot gave the result in the form of a hybrid - apricot plum.
Description of plum Apricot
Apricot plum has several subspecies:
- Pluot;
- Plumkot;
- Aprium.
Each of the varieties is resistant to harsh winters. The zone of their cultivation extends to the northern, southern regions.
The trees of the hybrid are low - no more than 2.5 m. The crown is in many ways like a plum tree. Very often it is drooping with foliage of medium density. The plant blooms with white flowers in early April. The fruits ripen by July-August.
Each of the varieties of Apricot plum has common features in the description of the fruits:
- Large size. One fruit weighs 30 to 70 g.
- Plums are oval.
- Green-pink, yellow or purple skin with a waxy coating.
- The pulp of the fruit is particularly juicy and dense.
Variety characteristics
Features of the Apricot plum variety affect the abundance of the crop, the health of the hybrid. They must be taken into account when choosing a landing site, care procedures, and preventive measures.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety is characterized by a high level of frost resistance. The hybrid can withstand significant temperature drops. He also takes a warm climate, hot summers well.
Plum pollinators
Hybrid Apricot self-fertile. To improve the yield, pollinators can be planted nearby - trees of similar varieties:
- Altanta;
- Renklode Kolkhoz;
- Plum Michurinskaya, others.
Productivity and fruiting
Apricot plum is a fast-growing hybrid. Fruiting occurs 2-3 years after planting. The yield increases with the maturation of the variety. Blooms in April. Ripe fruits are picked in August-September. Up to 50 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree.
Scope of plums
The sweet taste of plums makes them a great dessert. Jams, preserves, compotes, juice are made from them.
Disease and pest resistance
A hybrid of plum and apricot is practically not susceptible to diseases, not affected by insects. It is necessary to carry out preventive measures in order to completely avoid the harmful effects.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Numerous advantages of the variety make the diploid hybrid Apricot popular among other horticultural crops:
- High level of frost resistance. This allows the variety to be planted in the northern regions.
- Early maturity.Plum brings its first harvest a couple of years after planting. The fruits ripen in the middle of summer.
- Large fruits. The weight of one plum is up to 70 g. The taste is dessert. This makes the cultivar attractive for private, commercial gardening.
- Fruits are sources of many useful substances and vitamins.
Apricot plum has distinctive features:
- The fruit pulp contains a special enzyme. It provokes the development of stomach ulcers. Do not overuse plums on an empty stomach.
- Fruits do not retain their presentation during transportation.
- Plums are not subject to long-term storage. Plucked ripe fruit must be consumed as soon as possible.
Landing features
Planting a plum hybrid is an easy process. It is enough to choose the right place in the garden, complete the stages of planting a young seedling.
Recommended timing
Work with seedlings of Aprikosova plum is carried out in early spring. Planting during this period guarantees maximum rooting of the plant. Before the onset of cold weather, the young tree will have time to get stronger, get used to the local climate. In regions with mild, warm weather conditions, you can land in the fall.
Choosing the right place
Choosing a place for a hybrid seedling is a responsible task. It must meet certain criteria:
- Abundant lighting throughout the day.
- Lack of drafts, wind blowing.
- The soil for planting should be nutritious, airtight.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
Tall plants with a spreading crown should not be planted next to it. They will create additional shade for a short tree, which can affect the quality of the fruit. Similar varieties, apple trees, evergreen shrubs will have a beneficial effect on planting.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The choice of planting materials should be approached responsibly and in advance. A set of garden tools must necessarily include:
- Shovel for holes.
- Rake for loosening.
- Wooden stake, rope for fastening, fixing the seedling.
- Drainage.
- Fertilizers.
- Water for irrigation.
Landing algorithm
Planting Aprikosova plum takes place in several stages. Each of them must be performed in accordance with the recommendations presented:
- Well preparation. With the help of a shovel, pits are formed. Depth - 80 cm, diameter - 80 cm.
- Drainage layer. At the bottom of the landing hole, a layer of brick and stone is laid out.
- Top dressing. After drainage, organic, potash fertilizers, superphosphate are poured into the pit.
- Sapling installation. Its roots spread freely inside the pit. The stalk is covered with earth, watered, tamped.
- Additional reinforcement. The trunk of a young tree is tied with a soft rope to a wooden peg.
- An earthen roll is formed around the trunk of the plum. It will prevent the accumulation of liquid in the roots of the plant.
Plum follow-up care
When caring for the Apricot plum, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances. They affect the health of the planting, bountiful harvest:
- Watering. The hybrid does not like liquid stagnation. It is important to keep an eye on the water table. After each watering, the soil under the plant is carefully loosened.
- Formative pruning. To design a neat crown, the cut of the branches begins to be carried out at a young tree.
- Top dressing. It is carried out in three stages. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied before flowering. Before the fruits ripen, micro-dressing is carried out. Organic matter is added in autumn.
- Disease prevention. They regularly carry out preventive measures against diseases and pests. Cutting dry branches, destroying root growth, regular cleaning of the garden area are mandatory procedures to maintain the immunity of the plum.
- Shelter for the winter. For a frost-resistant variety, it is enough to whitewash the trunk with a solution of lime, cover the roots with needles, sawdust. In the fall, the soil is dug up under the drain.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Disease / pest | Description | Control method / Prevention |
Hole spot | Spots form on the leaves, branches, fruits. Subsequently, they turn into holes. Leaves, fruits fall. The branches dry up | Before flowering, 2 weeks after it, the tree is treated with Bordeaux liquid. Affected areas are subject to complete destruction |
Coccomycosis | Red spots appear on the upper side of the sheet. The inside is covered with a white bloom. Leaves fall off, fruits dry up | Obligatory destruction of fallen leaves, branches, fruits. Plum is sprayed with "Hom", Bordeaux solution |
Fruit mite | The foliage becomes brown, falls off. The tree does not bloom | As a preventive measure, you should get rid of the old bark. In case of mass damage by a pest, the plum is treated with chemical insecticides |
Conclusion
Apricot plum is a unique hybrid of two popular fruit varieties. He inherited the distinctive features of two kinds. The variety is popular in the garden environment. Its large, sweet fruits are widely used in the preparation of delicious desserts. The unpretentious tree is grown by amateur summer residents, commercial gardeners.
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