Apricot Black Velvet

Apricot Black Velvet – a variety of hybrid black apricot – outwardly unusual variety with good botanical characteristics. Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of this crop will allow the gardener to decide whether to grow it on his site.

History of breeding

The Black Velvet hybrid is actually not quite an apricot. It was obtained by crossing American black apricot and cherry plum. The slow pace of development in spring and the late flowering period inherited from the latter contribute to a stable yield, as they naturally protect the tree from spring frosts. From the apricot, Black Velvet took over the taste and aroma of the fruit.

The merit of the birth of this variety belongs to G.V. Eremin and A.V. N. I. Vavilova (Our Country, Krasnodar Territory). The apricot variety Black Velvet was isolated by them in 1994.

In 2005, it was included in the lists of the State Register.

Description of the culture

The description and photo of the Black Velvet apricot clearly explain why people like to call this hybrid “apricot salmon”. The tree is characterized by medium growth (not higher than 4 m), a rounded, slightly flattened crown of medium density.

The leaves of its rich green color, medium, have an elongated shape and pointed ends. The flowers are large, white or pale pink.

The fruits of this variety are multiple, but smaller than most common apricots. Their average weight is 25–35 g, the shape is oval, a sharp “nose” is noticeable near the stalk. Skin of medium thickness, slightly pubescent. In immature fruits, it is distinguished by a green color, then it acquires a rich brown or dark purple color.

An interesting characteristic of the Black Velvet apricot variety is the unusual, two-color fruit pulp. Near the stone, it is bright yellow, but closer to the skin it becomes pinkish.

The taste of the fruit is pleasant, sweet with a noticeable sourness, slightly tart, with a bright aroma inherent in apricot. The bone is small. From dense, juicy, slightly fibrous pulp, it is separated without much effort.

Initially, the variety was zoned in the North Caucasus region, but it grows quite successfully in central Our Country, which has a temperate climate.

A general idea of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbblack apricot will help to make a video:

Features

Thanks to the painstaking work of breeders, the Black Velvet variety managed to embody many of the strong qualities of both apricot and cherry plum.

Drought resistance, winter resistance

The indicators of winter hardiness and resistance to low temperatures are high in Black Barakhat – in this it is not inferior to frost-resistant varieties of cherry plum. The flowers of this variety of black apricot are practically not afraid of return spring frosts.

Summer drought resistance is lower in Black Velvet than in ordinary apricots.

The ideal conditions for a stable, regular harvest from a tree of this variety are warm, sunny and low-wind summers.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

Black Velvet belongs to the partially self-fertile apricot varieties. In order for the yield to be higher, it is recommended to plant potential pollinators near the tree that bloom with it at the same time:

• common apricot;
• plum ( or Chinese);
• thorn;
• would take

Black Velvet blooms later than other varieties of apricots. Its fruits ripen by the end of July (in the south) and at the beginning of August (in the middle lane).

yield, fruiting

Black Velvet is characterized by medium precocity. It usually takes 3-4 years from planting a grafted seedling into the ground to collecting the first fruits.

This variety is recognized as high-yielding: one tree is capable of producing 50–60 kg of fruit per season. It bears fruit regularly, almost every year.

The Black Velvet crop is excellently transported and stored. Slightly unripe fruits, packed in boxes in 2-3 rows in a well-ventilated cellar, are quite capable of lying there for 3-4 months.

Scope of fruits

The purpose of Black Velvet fruits is universal. They are eaten fresh, frozen for future use, used in the preparation of sweet desserts. Jam and jam from the fruits of this variety compares favorably with an excellent taste with tart notes and a bright, saturated color.

Disease and pest resistance

Black Velvet, like most dark-fruited apricot hybrids, has an increased resistance to moniliosis, clasterosporiasis and cytosporosis, which traditionally affect stone fruit crops.

Advantages and disadvantages

Briefly characterize the advantages and disadvantages of Black Velvet apricot as follows:

Features of landing

Cultivation of Black Velvet apricots on a personal plot basically follows the same rules as those developed for apricots of ordinary varieties.

Recommended dates

The timing of planting Black Velvet in the ground depends on the type of seedling:

• bare root are advised to plant with the onset of spring;
• container – from early spring to mid-autumn.

Choosing the right place

The plot of the garden where the Black Velvet apricot will grow should have the following features:

• good illumination (ideally – the south side);
• nearby, a wall of an outbuilding is desirable, capable of serving as a shelter from the wind;
• groundwater should lie at a depth of at least 1,5–2 m from the surface;
• light sandy or loamy soil with acidity close to neutral.

This variety does not tolerate well:

• placement in the shade;
• stagnation of water at the roots;
• heavy soils with a predominance of clay and sand.

What crops can and cannot be planted next to an apricot

It should be remembered that the apricot is reputed to be an individualist and rather whimsical in choosing neighboring plants.

In a positive way, he will react to growing near him:

• apricots of the same or other varieties;
• potential pollinators (cherry plum, blackthorn, some types of plums);
• dogwood

The apricot will not like the close proximity:

• Cherries
• walnut;
• cherries;
• red rowan;
• apple trees;
• pears

Selection and preparation of planting material

The best option for growing Black Velvet apricot in your own garden is to purchase a seedling at the age of 1-2 years in a specialized nursery.

Signs of a quality seedling:

• the plant is healthy, has an attractive appearance;
• bark without visible damage, dried and flaking areas;
• the root system is alive, developed and elastic.

Immediately before planting, the branches of the seedling can be cut off.

Landing algorithm

Proper planting of Black Velvet apricot occurs in several stages:

• if there are several seedlings, a distance between them should be observed (at least 4–5 m);
• the dimensions of the pit for planting are 0,8 by 1 m, it has been prepared since autumn;
• drainage should be poured to the bottom (gravel, broken brick, pieces of large branches), then fill the pit with a mixture of soil with humus, peat and sand;
• lower the seedling into the pit, carefully straightening the roots and making sure that the root neck is 5-7 cm above the surface;
• fill the hole with prepared soil mixture, pour a bucket of water on the apricot, mulch the soil with earth or sawdust.

Culture aftercare           

Caring for apricot Black Velvet does not require excessive effort.

Trim the tree like this:

• up to 5 years of age, the crown is cut to give it a convenient shape (“bowl”);
• further pruning is carried out in autumn and spring, is of a regulatory nature and serves to prevent thickening of the crown and prevent diseases.

Watering the Black Velvet apricot is advised 4-5 times a month from May to June. One adult tree will need 1-2 buckets of water at a time. From mid-summer, it is advised to stop watering in order to prevent a protracted period of shoot growth.

Black Velvet, like any apricot, needs moderate feeding. The general rules for fertilizing are as follows:

• in early spring, it is advised to enrich the soil with nitrogen-containing complexes;
• in early autumn, the best feeding option is superphosphate along with potassium salt;
• organic matter is added to the soil in late autumn.

Despite the high cold resistance, Black Velvet is still recommended to cover for the winter. Young seedlings can be hidden under a dome of coniferous branches. It is enough to wrap older tree trunks with spunbod or paper.

In autumn, it is advised to pollinate the still green leaves with wood ash powder – this will speed up the process of leaf fall to better prepare the tree for winter.

To avoid sunburn, the trunks are covered with a layer of garden whitewash enriched with copper sulphate. Do this twice a year: in late autumn and early spring.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

Although Black Velvet is highly resistant to many fungal diseases, you should know how to deal with the main ones:

Insect pests can cause considerable damage to a tree and apricot fruits:

Conclusion

Apricot Black Velvet is an interesting hybrid variety of black apricot, which adopted high winter hardiness and disease resistance from cherry plum. The unusual appearance of the fruit, along with simple care requirements, attracts the attention of farmers. However, not very large fruits and their tart taste with sourness often push gardeners to opt for a regular apricot.

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