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Apricot Khabarovsk has come a long way in breeding trials. On the territory of the former USSR, in many republics, regions and districts, test samples were planted at experimental stations and in the gardens of volunteers, which were monitored by agronomists for a long time. Specialists recorded and analyzed all the varietal qualities of the apricot, and in many ways it showed its best side.
History of breeding
Back in 1949, the breeder Kazmin G.T. bred a new apricot variety Khabarovsky by pollination of the Best Michurinsky and the European Krasnocheky. It was included in the State Register of Crops Allowed for Use in 1979. The Far Eastern Institute of Agriculture acted as the originator.
Description of the culture
Apricot Khabarovsky is a rather tall tree, by the age of ten it reaches a height of 4,5-5,0 meters, a crown circumference of 5 meters or more. The crown itself is sprawling, not thickened, there are whitish oblong stripes on dark purple thick and straight branches. Annual growths are strong and straight, their length can reach 1 meter (on young 3-4-year-old trees). Fruits are formed on fruit twigs on wood of 2-3 years of age.
Apricot fruits are medium, their weight is not more than 25-30 g, conical in shape, slightly squeezed on the sides, the seam in the middle of the fruit is deep and wide. The whole skin is pubescent with thick villi, the color is pale yellow with characteristic red-orange spots on the sides. The tip of the fruit is pointed. Its orange flesh has a good taste and medium juiciness, the stone is small and separates well, and it is sweet in taste.
The Khabarovsk apricot variety is recommended to be grown in the regions of the Far East, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories (in their southern regions). Apricot ripens early and it has time to ripen even in areas with adverse climatic conditions. Good winter hardiness allows you to grow Khabarovsk apricot in the Moscow region, in the Volga region and in the Urals.
Features
A detailed description of the Khabarovsky apricot variety will help novice gardeners, and not only them, form their opinion about the culture, decide whether it is worth growing it in their gardens or farms.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
The main criteria for growing a crop is the behavior of the plant in drought or severe frost conditions. Khabarovsk apricot was bred in the Far East, where the climate is cold, in winter there are often severe frosts. These factors were taken into account by breeders in the first place, so this culture has increased winter hardiness, its buds do not freeze at temperatures down to -30 ° C.
Saplings and young apricot trees of 2-3 years of age must be watered at least 4-5 times a month. In the future, when the plant takes root and grows the root system, it will not need frequent watering. It will be enough to water the tree no more than 1-2 times a month, increasing the number of waterings with a stable drought up to 2-3 times a month.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
Apricot Khabarovsk is a relatively self-fertile crop. The tree is able to form only up to 20% of all fruit ovaries. You can increase the yield with the help of pollinator plants, the main condition in this case is their simultaneous flowering with the Khabarovsk variety. Such plants can be apricots: Snezhinsky, Amur, Academician.
The tree begins to bloom early (mid-May or early June), so the variety is sometimes mistakenly referred to as heat-loving crops. In the course of research, when growing Khabarovsk apricot in colder regions, no negative phenomena were noted: during spring cooling, the flowers did not crumble, the ovaries remained intact. In the second half of July, after the 20th, the first apricot fruits ripen.
yield, fruiting
The annual fruiting of the plant begins in the 4th or 5th year of the tree’s life. Fruit twigs grow on wood of 2-3 years of age, rather large buds are formed on them, flowers are also large (3-5 cm in diameter) white.
The partial self-fertility of the Khabarovsk apricot allows you to get a small crop, but if there are pollinating trees nearby (at a distance of 3-6 meters), the yield increases significantly. From one plant per season, you can get up to 36 kg of fruit, the record figure was 40 kg.
Scope of fruits
Fresh ruddy fruits of Khabarovsk apricot just ask to be in your mouth, no one will refuse to taste them fresh. Fruits are also good in various winter preparations: compotes, jam, marmalade and jam. Everywhere in farms they make preparations from dried apricots (dried apricots) for sale to the population at any time of the year. Such fruits do not lose their useful qualities and can be stored for a long time.
Disease and pest resistance
According to the information declared by the originator of the Khabarovsky variety, its resistance to diseases is of an average degree. We will talk about diseases and pests that threaten apricot a little later.
Advantages and disadvantages
When growing Khabarovsky apricot, many advantages were revealed, but there are also disadvantages:
Pros:
- beautiful and tasty fruits, wonderful presentation;
- annual consistently high yield;
- the core of the stone is sweet;
- well propagated by seeds.
Disadvantages:
- decrease in winter hardiness when planting in lowlands;
- transportability is below average.
Features of landing
For experienced gardeners, planting and caring for Khabarovsk apricot will not create problems; these procedures are largely identical for many fruit trees. Our recommendations will be useful for beginner gardeners and people who decide to plant apricots in their garden for the first time.
Recommended dates
Apricot seedlings of Khabarovsk are planted in the spring, while the buds of the tree are still sleeping. In the southern regions with a warm climate, you can plant them in spring and autumn.
Choosing the right place
Apricots grow well in elevated, well-lit areas, but not blown through by cold winds, especially in winter.
The soil for planting the Khabarovsk apricot should be neutral or slightly alkaline in terms of acidity, loose in structure, the optimal composition is light loam.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to an apricot
Tall perennial crops, such as the Khabarovsk apricot, do not like close proximity to raspberry or currant bushes. It is not advisable to plant it in areas where it used to grow: peach, plum or cherry.
Closer than 5 meters, that is, early flowering daffodils or tulips can be planted in the near-trunk circle.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Tree seedlings can be purchased from special nurseries, ordered online, but in no case should you buy from individual sellers if you are not sure of their reliability. A good seedling is a one or two-year-old plant with a developed fibrous root system. Its height should not exceed: for a one-year-old – 70 cm, for a two-year-old – 90 cm.
Landing algorithm
The order of planting an apricot is as follows:
- in the selected area, they dig a hole measuring 70x70x70 cm;
- a peg up to 1,5 m high is placed in the center, the bottom is covered with drainage material: broken brick, expanded clay or crushed stone by 5-10 cm;
- the pit is half covered with organic matter, mineral fertilizers are added;
- an apricot seedling is placed in a hole, covered with fertile soil to the level of the root collar, which should not be buried in the soil;
- they tamp the ground, water it and tie the seedling to a peg.
For a more detailed description of the landing process, see the attached video.
Culture aftercare
Immediately after planting, the seedling is pruned. The upper part is cut off by 1/3 of the entire height; in biennial plants, branches are also cut off, leaving 2 healthy buds on them.
Watering the seedling is done once a week until it takes root, then gradually reduce the number of waterings to 2-3 times a month. An adult tree is watered only when there is a lack of natural rain moisture.
Top dressing of apricot Khabarovsk begins from 2-3 years of age once a year, and when the tree enters the fruiting period – three times: in spring, mid-summer and autumn.
Diseases and pests
Apricot diseases:
Name of the disease | Symptoms | Ways to fight and prevent |
Klyasterosporiosis (popular name – perforated spotting).
| Red and burgundy specks form on the leaves, which grow rapidly. The inner part of the stain, eaten away by the fungus, falls out, forming holes. The leaves dry up and fall. | Reusable (4-5 times) treatment with fungicides is required. |
Moniliosis (monilial burn) | Infection occurs during the flowering period. The fungus gets from the body of the insect into the flower, then into the shoots and leaves. The affected areas on the plant turn black, creating the appearance of a burn. | Affected shoots should be cut off immediately, sprayed with fungicides. |
Cytosporosis | The fungus infects the bark, getting into it through untreated cracks, the bark becomes loose and rotten, there is a strong flow of gum. | The damaged apricot bark is cleaned to healthy wood, disinfected with a solution of copper sulphate, treated with fungicides, and the wound is closed with garden pitch. |
Apricot pests:
vermin | Harm done | Methods of struggle |
Loads and waves | The omnivorous beetle devours buds, flowers, early shoots and leaves. | Apricots are sprayed with chemicals: Fufanon, Decis or Nitrafen. |
beetles | Larvae (Khrushchi) of various beetles eat young root offspring. | It is recommended to cultivate the soil in tree trunks with a solution of Diazonin. |
aphid | Insects live in large colonies on the back of the leaves, eat them and green shoots. | The plant is treated with insecticides several times until the aphids completely disappear. |
Conclusion
Apricot Khabarovsky has earned the love and respect of gardeners who have been growing it in their gardens for many years. The yield and taste of the fruits of Khabarovsk satisfy many farmers involved in its sale, from which they receive good income. We also recommend that you plant a few seedlings to taste the fruits grown by your own labor.
Reviews
In this section, you can read the reviews of gardeners about the Khabarovsk apricot:
