Content
The variety of apricot varieties on the horticultural market is often confusing. How to choose a suitable seedling that will grow and not require complex self-care is the main question that worries an inexperienced summer resident. Apricot Countess, which grows well in regions with warm climates, is recognized as one of the best unpretentious varieties.
Breeding history
Apricot variety Countess is a collection species that was bred in the botanical garden of Moscow State University. Professor A.K. Skvortsov under the guidance of the candidate of biological sciences L.A. Kramarenko identified this type of fruit tree in 1988. The apricot variety was intended for cultivation in the Moscow region. Apricot Countess was included in the State Register for the Central Region in 2004.
Description of culture
Apricot Countess grows into a fairly tall and vigorous tree with a rounded crown. Its height reaches 5.5-6 m. The foliage is rather large. The flowering period begins a few days later than other varieties. Numerous inflorescences do not exceed 2.5 cm. Each of the leaf axils is endowed with many generative buds. The stamens are underdeveloped. White-colored anthers do not form normal pollen. The fruit tree is pollinated with pollen from other varieties. The yield of the variety is at a high level.
Ripe fruits are round or oval in shape. The variety is quite capricious and sensitive to changing weather conditions. In cases when the summer turned out to be hot and dry, the fruits grow clean, beautiful. Their mass reaches 25 g. With average yields, the fruits increase in size up to 40 g. The bright orange dense and very juicy pulp is covered with a thin skin, which is painted in cream or pale yellow tones. A kind of blush can be seen on all fruits. According to the data on the chemical composition of apricot, the fruit consists of:
- dry matter - 13.8%;
- sugar - by 7.7%;
- titratable acid - 1.8%.
For every 100 g of fruit weight, there are 660 mg of potassium. The Countess's bone grows to a large size (11.5%), but it will not be difficult to separate it from the pulp.
Cultivation of Apricot Countess is possible in the Moscow region and other cities with a warm climate. Reviews about the apricot Countess in the Moscow region confirm the high level of productivity in the region and the timely ripening of fruits.
Characteristics of the apricot variety Countess
Drought resistance, winter hardiness of the variety
The frost resistance of the tree is excellent. Apricot is able to withstand frosts down to -25, 30 ° C. However, during the flowering period, the buds will not tolerate the return of severe frost.
The fruit tree does not need abundant watering, so it tolerates long periods of drought well.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
The Countess is growing fast enough. The height of the tree in some cases may even exceed 6 m. Considering the fact that the variety is not capable of self-pollination, other varieties of trees should be planted next to the apricot.
The variety needs nearby pollinators. Best pollinators for Apricot Countess:
- Lel;
- Northern Triumph;
- Favorite;
- Monastyrsky.
The flowering period of the variety comes a few days later than the common apricot. You can enjoy the first fruits closer to August 10-15. Full ripening of the crop continues until the end of summer.
Productivity, fruiting
The yield of the Countess variety is generous, amounting to 25-30 kg per tree. Each of the branches of the fruit tree is literally dotted with large fruits.
Scope of the fruit
The high-yielding apricot variety is canned and frozen. Fans of strong drinks make apricot liqueur at home.
Disease and pest resistance
Disease and pest resistance depends on weather conditions. If the summer is dry and hot, then the fruits will be large and clean. In rainy, cool summers, the tree is susceptible to clasterosporium disease. The disease spoils the appearance of the crop. Black spots appear on the skin, which can be either small in size or cover a significant part of the surface of the fruit. Sometimes there are strong gums.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of Apricot varieties Countess:
- large fruit size;
- early and long fruiting period;
- high level of resistance to various pests and diseases;
- remarkable winter hardiness of the variety;
- good transportable qualities;
- abundant fruiting.
It is also worth highlighting the high tasting grade of the variety.
Among the disadvantages it is worth noting:
- change of taste characteristics depending on the weather;
- a decrease in the size of the fruit with an abundance of harvest;
- susceptibility to infection with clasterosporia and the occurrence of gum leakage during a prolonged rainy period.
Features of planting varieties
Planting and caring for the apricot Countess does not require special knowledge and skills. Even a beginner in gardening can grow it.
Choosing the right place
The most important thing is to choose the right place before planting, since the Countess apricot variety will not bear fruit and bloom with the constant presence in the shade and the absence of a nearby pollinator tree. The area that has been selected for planting must be dry, well lit and ventilated.
Selection and preparation of planting material
An annual or biennial tree with a height of more than 50 cm is best suited as a planting material. The roots of a high-yielding variety should be strong, healthy and not show signs of wilting or obvious damage by diseases and pests. It is important that the grafted part of the plant is mature and strong enough. The bark of the seedling of the variety should be colored brown.
Recommended timing
It is recommended to plant a seedling of a high-yielding variety in the spring, when the buds have not yet blossomed. In a pre-selected place, a pit is pulled out and filled with a nutrient mixture:
- 2 kg of rotted compost;
- 35 g superphosphate;
- 25 g of potassium salt;
- 15 g of wood ash.
The mixture is thoroughly mixed with the soil. The seedling must be watered abundantly, mulch and cut off the top so that the height of the tree is 60-65 cm.
Landing algorithm
Before planting an apricot, you should examine its root system. If there are damages on it, it is recommended to cut them off. Then they prepare a talker based on mullein, water and earth and dip the root in it.
- A pit is prepared, the size of which is 50x50x50 cm.
- On the surface of the bottom of the pit, a bump is formed from the earth. In this place, a peg is driven in for support.
- The apricot is lowered into the pit in such a way that the root collar is located 5-6 cm above the ground level.
- The root system is covered with the top layer of soil and the area around the apricot is tamped.
- A hole is formed around the circumference of the fruit tree, the diameter of which should be 60-70 cm.
- With the help of a rope, a tree is tied to a peg.
- Water a seedling of a high-yielding variety with 25 liters of water. Then the hole is mulched with wood chips.
- If necessary, cut the seedling so that its height does not exceed 65 cm.
If you deeply deepen the root collar into the hole, then the growth of the plant will begin to be inhibited.
Follow-up care of the culture
After planting the apricot of the Countess variety, systematic care is required:
- It is important to do your annual pruning at the end of March. Problematic apricot branches must be removed, and the number of healthy shoots must be regulated.
- Form the crown of the tree, choosing a sparse-tiered shape.
- Water abundantly, especially during periods of flowering, growth of new shoots and a couple of weeks before harvest. It is recommended to moisten the soil in the area of the trunk circle by 25-35 cm. In the autumn period, it is best to pour the tree abundantly so that the water penetrates to a depth of more than 0.5 m.
- Apply top dressing in a timely manner in order to provide yourself with a high yield and large fruits. The first time after planting a seedling, it must be fertilized after 2 years. To make the fertilizer, you will need to mix 40% potassium salt, 5 kg of rotted manure and 60% of a nitrogen compound. You can also purchase a complex preparation for feeding, which contains iron, boron, manganese.
- Before the onset of the first frost, it is important to cover the tree with a wooden cone, which is wrapped in a strong cloth, and sprinkle it with soil. Carrying out these activities will allow the young tree to avoid freezing.
Collection, processing and storage of the Countess variety
The fruit tree begins to bear fruit 3 years after planting in mid-August. In the first years of fruiting, 20-25 kg of harvest is removed, and an adult tree bears more than 60 kg of fruits annually. It is necessary to harvest the crop in stages, since the ripening of stone fruits is not simultaneous. If you send the crop to a wooden box in a room that keeps a temperature of 0 ° C, you can preserve both the appearance and taste for 30-50 days. Also, fruits can be dried and frozen.
Apricot varieties Countess can be eaten fresh or used for cooking:
- compote;
- jam;
- jam;
- jam;
- marmalade;
- alcoholic beverages;
- confectionery fillings.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Diseases | The nature of the defeat of the variety | Control methods |
Moniliosis | Fungal infection quickly infects foliage, inflorescences and buds. The affected branch and inflorescences soon become brown and dry. Affected fruits crumble, and those that remain on the branch become a source of infection next year. | In the event that there are suspicions of infection with moniliosis, you should immediately cut off the affected area and process the cut with a garden varnish. In the autumn, it is recommended to whitewash the trunk of the apricot and spray the tree with Bordeaux liquid. |
Cytosporosis | Fungal infection affecting part of the tree. When an ailment occurs, the foliage turns brown and dries. The affected tree bark turns yellowish. | To solve the problem of cytosporosis, experts advise to regularly whiten the trunks, plow deeply and remove root growth, cut down and burn the affected areas of the tree, and mulch the soil around the trunk. |
Clasterosporium disease | When perforated spots occur, branches, foliage and fruits are affected. Throughout the foliage, a rounded spot of light brown shade is formed. Warty brown swellings develop on the affected fruit. From them subsequently gum begins to flow. | It is very important to cut down and burn the affected area in a timely manner. The cut is processed using a mixture of garden varnish and ferrous sulfate. In the autumn, the trunks should be whitewashed. Trees should be treated with fungicides as a preventive measure. |
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Pest | Control methods |
Aphids affecting the foliage of the variety. Insects feed on the nutrients of the greenery, which causes it to curl and dry out. | To combat insects, it is necessary to treat the tree with 150 g of tar soap diluted in 10 liters of water.The affected areas are pruned and burned to avoid further spread of aphids through the tree. |
A hawthorn caterpillar, gnawing the buds, buds and inflorescences of a fruit tree. | It is very important to periodically inspect the apricot and destroy the caterpillars. Any cobwebs should be removed from the branches so as not to create ideal conditions for laying pests' eggs. We spray the Countess with Chlorophos solution in spring and autumn. |
Conclusion
When growing Apricot Countess, it is important to periodically inspect the trees and take the necessary measures to prevent the development of diseases. In addition, the planted fruit tree should be looked after and fertilized systematically.
Testimonials
Reviews of Apricot Countess can be found on many gardening sites. Gardeners speak great about this variety and recommend it to other summer residents for planting.
