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Apricot Ulyanikhinsky is a hybrid variety, deservedly loved by domestic gardeners. The reason for its popularity is in a large number of strengths, against which the rare shortcomings inherent in the variety are not very significant.
History of breeding
For the first time, a description of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot variety was presented by its author, amateur breeder L. M. Ulyanikhin. It was obtained by crossing the Krasnoshchekiy variety with a hybrid descendant of Satsera and Comrade.
An entry about him in the State Register appeared in 2004.
Description of the culture
The Ulyanikhinsky apricot tree is powerful and tall (3–4 m). It is characterized by a wide spreading crown. Its shape is round, the density is medium.
The leaves are bright green, wide, medium in size, shaped like an egg. The leaf blade is slightly curved, its edge is uneven, coarsely serrate, raised upwards. The base of the leaf is rounded, the apex is sharp.
The bark of Ulyanikhinsky apricot shoots is brown with a reddish tinge. They are small, even, growing vertically upwards. The buds are small, in the shape of a cone, they do not press against the surface of the shoot.
The flowers are five-petalled, white, bloom before the leaves appear.
The fruits of the Ulyanikhinsky variety are medium (26–33 g), rounded, loosely attached to the stalk. The mass of the stone is 3% of the total weight of the fruit; it is easy to separate it from the pulp. The skin of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot is thin, dense, velvety, its color is yellow with a dotted reddish blush. The pulp is juicy, fragrant, tender, yellow-orange in color.
The regions in which the Ulyanikhinsky apricot is able to show its best qualities to the maximum are the territories of the Central Black Earth region, as well as the Oryol region.
Features
The botanical description of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot variety is supplemented by a brief description of its strengths and weaknesses.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
The winter hardiness of this apricot variety is high – the plant tolerates periods of low temperatures well.
Apricot Ulyanikhinsky loves moisture, but at the same time it reacts badly to its excess, and therefore it is advised to control the degree of soil moisture.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
Ulyanikhinsky refers to self-pollinated apricot varieties. However, the presence of nearby trees suitable as pollinators on the site can significantly increase its yield.
Proven pollinators for Ulyanikhinsky apricot – other varieties of apricots:
- Comrade;
- Michurinsky is the best;
- Good luck;
- Red-cheeked;
- Triumph of the North.
Apricot Ulyanikhinsky blooms in April.
The fruits ripen in the middle period – by the end of July.
yield, fruiting
The photo of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot, presented below, illustrates the high yield of this variety.
It begins to bear fruit in the third year. It is quite possible to harvest up to 80-100 kg of crop from one tree per season.
The pulp of the fruits of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot is rich in:
- sugars (10,3%);
- acids (1,13%).
The taste of the fruit is pleasant, sweet with a slight hint of acid. They deserved a high tasting score – 4 points (out of 5).
It is easy to transport Ulyanikhinsky apricot fruits, they retain their freshness and attractive appearance for a long time.
Scope of fruits
The purpose of the fruits of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot is dessert and table. It is excellent fresh and dried, in recipes for sweet jams, compotes, marshmallows and other preparations, the most popular and favorite of which, without a doubt, is jam.
Disease and pest resistance
The Ulyanikhinsky apricot variety is considered resistant to pests, a number of fungal diseases of stone fruit plants, as well as to warming of the bark in the area of the root collar.
Advantages and disadvantages
Summing up, we can briefly highlight the following advantages and disadvantages of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot variety:
Advantages | Disadvantages |
High cold tolerance | vigorous trees |
High, stable yield | Tendency to form infertile shoots |
Good fruit taste | Tendency to crush fruits |
During transportation, the fruits retain their presentation well. | Does not tolerate excess moisture |
Self-fertility |
|
Resistance to scorching, fungal diseases and pests |
|
Features of landing
Planting and caring for the Ulyanikhinsky apricot obey a number of simple rules.
Recommended dates
Planting apricot varieties Ulyanikhinsky is advised:
- spring (last days of April);
- autumn (late September – early October).
Choosing the right place
The optimal site for apricot Ulyanikhinsky will be:
- well lit by the sun and protected from the wind;
- groundwater level, under which it does not rise above 3 meters, but does not fall too deep;
- with light, fertile soil, the acidity of which is neutral or lower.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to an apricot
It is believed that apricot is one of the most “unfriendly” garden crops, since it does not tolerate any other species in its neighborhood.
Only other apricots of the same or other varieties are advised to plant near an apricot tree. At the same time, between tall trees, which include the Ulyanikhinsky variety, it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 4,5–5,5 m.
Selection and preparation of planting material
For growing apricot, Ulyanikhinsky recommend taking annual trees – they take root more successfully, and it is easy and convenient to form crowns for them.
A high-quality Ulyanikhinsky apricot seedling should have:
- healthy bark without damage and cracks;
- strong, thick branches;
- in the lower part of the trunk – a spike from the stock;
- developed root system with a large number of urinary roots.
Landing algorithm
Correctly planting a seedling of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot in the ground should be as follows:
- dig a landing hole approximately 0,8 m deep and wide;
- pour a nutrient mixture from the soil with 2 buckets of mullein, 650 g of superphosphate (granules), 350 g of potassium sulfate solution and 0,25 kg of ash to the bottom;
- plant a seedling, following the position of the root neck (5–7 cm above the soil level);
- pour the soil mixture into the pit and gently trample it;
- pour water (20–30 l);
- mulch the soil (sawdust or peat).
More details on how to plant an apricot are shown in the video.
Culture aftercare
Pruning of a young Ulyanikhinsky apricot is carried out as follows:
- for the first time, the branches are cut immediately after planting, to a height of 40 cm from the ground;
- until the third year, from 5–7 main branches, they form a crown in tiers;
- further pruning of the apricot tree is carried out for rejuvenating and sanitary purposes, as well as to prevent excessive density of branches.
Watering apricot Ulyanikhinsky is advised three times a season:
- before flowering;
- during the growth of shoots;
- two weeks before the fruits ripen.
The apricot tree of the Ulyanikhinsky variety necessarily needs regular and proper feeding:
- in spring, mineral fertilizers (in particular, urea), as well as organic matter, are applied to the soil;
- in summer, they additionally enrich the soil with nitrogen-containing substances;
- in autumn, the emphasis is on potash, calcium and phosphorus top dressing.
In winter, the Ulyanikhinsky apricot needs additional protection:
- the surface of the trunk circle is generously covered with straw, spruce branches, reeds – this will not allow the roots to freeze;
- it is advisable to wrap the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe root collar tightly with burlap;
- the ground part of young trees is hidden under protective covers made of oilcloth or spunbond;
- a metal mesh wrapped around the trunk will protect the bark from rodents.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
It is believed that the Ulyanikhinsky apricot suffers from diseases extremely rarely. Nevertheless, it does not hurt to know the manifestations and methods of treating the main ones:
Disease | Symptoms | Prevention and treatment measures |
Gray rot of fruits (manifestation of moniliosis) | The fruits are covered with a dense gray coating, they rot and die, falling off or drying out on the branches. | Destruction of infected fruits, timely pruning of the tree. Spraying with Bordeaux liquid, preparations “Horus”, “Switch” |
Perforated spotting (kleasterosporiasis) | Brown spots on the leaves, in places of which holes subsequently form. Shoots crack and deform | Pruning and destruction of diseased branches and leaves. Spraying with Bordeaux liquid, Horus preparation, copper sulphate |
Mushroom Waltz | Infection – getting into wounds on the bark, manifested by orange growths – “ulcers” | For preventive purposes, loosen the soil well and do not cut the branches of a tree that is at rest. Treatment of affected areas with the drug “Switch” |
The same goes for insect pests:
Pest | Appearance and activity | Prevention and control measures |
aphid | Colonies of small black insects feeding on tree sap | Timely watering and fertilizing plants. Whitewashing of boles with lime twice a year. Treatment with Actellik, Intravir, Fitaverm |
Caterpillars of the underbark leafworm | Pale green caterpillars with a brown head, making deep passages in the lower part of the trunk | Regular digging of the trunk circle. Destruction of the affected parts of the cortex. Spraying with chlorophos |
Codling moth plum | Large (up to 2 cm) pink caterpillars that bite into the pulp and damage the fruit bone | Whitewashing boles with lime. Spraying with “Tagor”, “Avant”, “Kinmiks” |
Conclusion
Ulyanikhinsky apricot is a hardy, high-yielding hybrid variety characterized by excellent fruit taste and high resistance to diseases and pests. Among the disadvantages inherent in the variety are the high growth of trees, the tendency to overgrowth and sensitivity to excess moisture. They cannot be called significant, and therefore reviews of the Ulyanikhinsky apricot among gardeners are mostly positive.