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Apricot Alyosha is one of the earliest varieties grown in the Moscow region and central Russia. You can enjoy sweet fruits in mid-July. Small fruits are used fresh, for conservation and processing. Alyosha's apricot cultivation does not require significant efforts.
Breeding history
The first mention of the variety dates back to 1988. Domestic breeders Skvortsov and Kramarenko presented a new variety of apricot tree. The main task that the scientists set themselves was to get a frost-resistant variety of early ripening, suitable for growing in the middle lane. In 2004. Apricot Alyosha was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. During its existence, the variety has gained considerable popularity in the Central region.
Description of culture
The tree is distinguished by a spreading crown of a rounded shape, reaching a height of 3-3.5 meters. On highly branched shoots, many flowers are formed up to 4 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is white with thin streaks of pink. The budding period occurs at the end of April - beginning of May.
The average weight of one apricot does not exceed 15 grams. The pulp is characterized by a rich yellow-orange color and sweet and sour taste. The peel is smooth, with few villi. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened from the sides. As you can see in the photo of Alyosha apricot, ripe fruits have a reddish tint.
According to the description of the Alyosha apricot variety, the fruit pulp contains many useful substances. The fruits are rich in beta-carotene and potassium, its content reaches 380 mg per 100 g. Solids and sugars account for 14% and 8.3%, respectively. The stone is rather large in comparison with other varieties, it is easily separated. Its weight is about 16% of the total weight of the apricot.
Characteristics
The variety is intended for cultivation in the Moscow region and other regions of the middle lane. In the appropriate climate, the fruit tree gives a stable harvest of apricots every year, without requiring significant efforts from the gardener.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
An unpretentious variety perfectly tolerates frosty winters. If the air temperature is low in spring, it is recommended to whitewash the tree trunk in a timely manner to delay flowering. A distinctive characteristic of the Alyosha apricot variety is the ability to withstand dry weather. Prolonged decrease in soil moisture may slightly affect the palatability of the fruit.
Pollination, flowering period, ripening time
The fruit tree variety begins to bear fruit after 3-4 years. Ovaries are formed on all types of shoots. The flowering period, as a rule, falls in the third decade of April or early May. Pollinators for Alyosha apricot are not required. The self-fertile variety can itself act as a pollinator for other apricot trees. During flowering, the entire crown is covered with large flowers.
Early ripening of fruits begins in the middle of summer. From the second half of July to mid-August, the technical ripeness of apricots begins.The yield of the variety is high, more than 40c / ha.
Scope of the fruit
Apricots of the Alyosha variety are consumed fresh, compotes and jams are prepared from them. The harvest harvested from the branch can be stored for a long time and not deteriorate. The fruit is suitable for short distance transportation.
Disease and pest resistance
The Alyosha variety demonstrates a high immunity to diseases typical of fruit trees, especially to monoliosis and clasterosporium disease. These fungal diseases lead to premature death and shedding of foliage and ovaries. The reason for the spread of diseases is sharp fluctuations in temperature and high humidity.
Reviews of gardeners about Alyosha apricot testify to pest resistance. With proper care and suitable climatic conditions, the tree does not need additional protection.
Advantages and disadvantages
Alyosha is a popular variety for cultivation in central Russia.
The apricot received recognition from gardeners due to several advantages:
- early ripening of fruits;
- the ability to withstand winter temperatures down to -30 ° C;
- resistance to pests and diseases;
- high yield and taste of ripe apricots;
- transportability and keeping quality of fruits.
According to the description of Alyosha's apricot, the only drawback is the large mass of the stone, which increases the percentage of waste during fruit processing.
Landing features
The survival rate of a seedling when planting apricot Alyosha and further fruiting depends on how competently the preparatory work is carried out. What matters is the quality of the planting material, the place and timing of disembarkation, compliance with the basic rules of care.
Recommended timing
Saplings with an open root system must be planted in a permanent place in March-April. At this time, the soil should be warmed up by 5-10 ° C. As the soil warms up, active growth of the root system and young shoots will begin.
Closed-root planting material can be planted from spring to mid-August. Later planting dates are undesirable. Before the onset of frost, the tree will not have enough time to root itself and will die with the onset of frost.
Choosing the right place
Alyosha's apricot yield is influenced by the area on which it grows. Choose a sunny location, protected from the north by buildings or other trees. Planting of apricots on a small slope is allowed. In the shade, the Alyosha variety reduces the number of ovaries, and the fruits grow sour and hard.
The root system of a fruit tree grows close to the surface of the earth. It is not advisable to plant a crop in a flooded area with a close occurrence of groundwater. This will cause the trunk to crack and root rot.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to an apricot
The fruit tree can be combined in the garden with early flowers, the growing season of which takes place at a time when there is little foliage on the branches. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils do well under apricot trees. Unwanted neighbors on the site are currants and raspberries. Shrubs extract essential nutrients from the soil. When planting the Alyosha variety, it should be borne in mind that its horizontal root system needs a lot of space.
Selection and preparation of planting material
For planting, you should choose seedlings 1-2 years old. They take root better, tolerate frosts and spring frosts more easily. The root system should be developed, smooth, without growths. Seedlings stored in the fall are cut to a third of their length before planting, damaged and dry root shoots are removed. Nurseries sell Alyosha apricot seedlings in containers with soil. Such trees take root well at any time of planting.
Landing algorithm
Planting an apricot is carried out subject to several requirements:
- A seedling hole is dug to a depth of 70 cm, drainage is laid on the bottom.
- A hill is formed from the fertile layer of soil and fertilizers, on which the seedling is placed, carefully spreading the roots.
- The root collar is left 5 cm above the ground.
- At a distance of 15-10 cm, a peg with a height of a seedling is driven in.
- The soil around the neck is carefully tamped and shed with plenty of water.
A properly planted tree takes root within 1 month and begins to grow green mass.
Follow-up care of the culture
Alyosha's apricot care is quite simple. Compliance with agricultural technology allows you to achieve high yields for many years. One of the points of care is crown formation. 5-6 main shoots are left on a young tree, shortening them by 1/3. Skeletal branches should form an even crown on all sides. Then it is necessary to carry out formative pruning of regrown shoots every autumn.
In the spring, before the budding period, the tree can be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. It is recommended to use organic as a source. In autumn, potassium salt with superphosphate is added under the apricot. To protect against pests, the trunk is whitewashed and wrapped with a nylon mesh. Watering is necessary for fruit crops in the first half of the growing season and during prolonged drought.
Diseases and pests
The Alyosha variety is distinguished by high immunity. The fruit tree is resistant to fungal diseases, which are often found in its fellows. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to carry out sanitary pruning of dry, damaged shoots in a timely manner, spray trees with fungicides if there are diseased specimens in the garden. Every fall, whitewash the bottom of the trunk to repel pests.
It is advisable to periodically dig up the ground around the tree in order to destroy caterpillars and harmful larvae. It is recommended that apricot foliage be regularly inspected for the presence of aphids or moths. To control pests, it is necessary to spray trees with insecticides.
Conclusion
Apricot Alyosha allows you to get an excellent harvest of fruits without much labor costs. Caring for a fruit tree does not require a lot of time from the gardener due to its resistance to diseases, the ability to tolerate drought and frost. Pollination of apricot Alyosha occurs regardless of the presence of insects. The variety gives a large number of tasty fruits suitable for conservation, storage and fresh consumption.
Gardeners reviews
On the Internet, you can find various reviews about Alyosha's apricot in the Moscow region. Gardeners share their experience in cultivating the variety.
More details about the peculiarities of growing apricots in the Moscow region are described in the video clip.
