Contents
Peach Kyiv early belongs to the category of self-pollinated early-fruiting varieties of early ripening. Among other varieties, this species is distinguished by high frost resistance and the ability to recover from frostbite.
History of variety breeding
The peach variety Kyiv early is the result of painstaking selection work by Soviet scientists, who were tasked with developing a new winter-hardy crop adapted to the conditions of the climate. Research on the development of the variety was carried out at the Institute of Horticulture UAAN under the guidance of A.P. Rodionova, I.A. Sheremeta, B.I. Shablovskaya.
The new species was obtained by crossing the varieties Gross Mignon and Kashchenko 208 in 1939 and has since been considered the standard of frost resistance. In 1954 peach Kyiv Early was included in the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine.
Separately, a derivative subspecies of the Kyiv early variety is distinguished – late Kyiv peach.
Description of peach variety Kyiv early
Early Kyiv peach is a medium-sized high-yielding variety that forms a spherical compact crown of medium density. The height of the tree reaches 4 m. Young trees actively form new shoots, in adult plants, shoot formation stabilizes over time.
The leaves of the Kyiv early variety are dark green, oblong, narrowed towards the end. The goblet-shaped flowers are bright pink.
Peach fruits are medium in size – their weight varies from 80 to 100 g. The skin is thin and velvety to the touch, the flesh is juicy, tender. The description of the early Kyiv variety emphasizes the unusually sweet taste of peaches.
The shape of the fruit is round, sometimes slightly flattened laterally. The ventral suture is pronounced. The color of the skin varies from pale light yellow to cream with a raspberry blush.
The stone is medium in size, boat-shaped. It is not completely separated from the pulp.
Characteristic of the variety
Early Kyiv peach is zoned for cultivation in the central zone of the Federation, however, a high degree of frost resistance allows this variety to be cultivated also in the northern regions of the country.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety is considered a model of winter hardiness – it is able to safely overwinter at temperatures down to -26-27 ° C. Moreover, even in case of frostbite, the tree does not need to be uprooted, as it quickly recovers from damage. As a rule, the next year the peach is ready for fruiting.
The early Kyiv peach does not tolerate drought well, which is confirmed by numerous reviews.
Does the variety need pollinators?
This species belongs to the self-fertile varieties, but it is hardly possible to get a bountiful harvest without pollinators. The following varieties of peaches are suitable for pollination:
- May Flower;
- Redhaven;
- Greensboro;
- Favorite Moretini;
- Velvety.
Yield and fruiting
Peach blossom time is at the end of April – beginning of May. The variety blooms within 10-12 days. In mid-July, the fruits begin to ripen.
Trees enter the fruiting period in the 3rd year after planting in open ground. The yield of the variety is quite high – from 30 to 45 kg of peaches are harvested from one plant with good care.
Scope of fruits
The dense skin of the fruit determines the good transportability of the variety. Peaches safely endure transportation over long distances, do not crumple in containers. The average shelf life of fruits is 5-7 days.
Peaches are consumed fresh. They also make jam and jam, prepare compote. Part of the crop is used for the manufacture of candied fruits and marmalade.
Disease and pest resistance
Early Kyiv peach is immune to most infectious diseases, but often suffers from leaf curl. However, timely prevention of trees reduces the risk of infection to a minimum.
Among the pests dangerous for the variety, aphids and fruit moths are especially distinguished.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The advantages of the variety include:
- high winter hardiness;
- the ability to recover from frostbite;
- precociousness;
- high yield;
- sweet taste of fruits;
- compact crown, facilitating harvesting;
- resistance to powdery mildew and clasterosporia.
The list of shortcomings of the variety is more modest:
- vulnerability to leaf curl;
- drought intolerance;
- poor separability of the bone from the pulp.
Peach planting rules
Peach Kyiv early develops well on almost all types of soil, but at the same time it is quite sensitive to the degree of illumination and wind.
Recommended dates
Seedlings do not have the same winter hardiness that is characteristic of mature trees, and take root better in spring. The optimal planting time is mid-April, but preparations for planting trees begin in the fall.
Choosing the right place
The only restriction on the quality of the soil when choosing a place for planting this variety is the waterlogging of the soil. Groundwater must flow at a depth of at least 1,5 m.
The illumination of the area is of no less importance. Peach trees should not lack sun.
Selection and preparation of planting material
When buying seedlings, you should pay attention to the presence of cracks, spots and dried areas on the trunk and shoots. In addition, healthy plants should have a well-developed root system – the minimum length of the roots is 30 cm.
Landing algorithm
Before digging holes for planting peach trees, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil of the site. The soil is dug up, cleaned of weeds and dry leaves, after which it is abundantly moistened.
As a fertilizer to saturate the earth, a mixture is used, which includes the following components:
- potassium chloride – 100 g;
- humus – 12-15 kg;
- superphosphate – 150-200 g;
- ash – 300-400 g.
This amount is enough to fertilize 1 m2 of the earth.
15-20 days after fertilizing the site, you can start planting trees. The landing procedure is as follows:
- Planting pits are dug with parameters 40x40x40, while the topsoil is mixed with fertilizers, which can be used as peat or humus.
- The bottom of the hole is covered with drainage from gravel or broken bricks. The layer thickness should not exceed 10 cm.
- A peg with a diameter of 5 cm and a height of at least 1,5 m is driven into the middle of the pit.
- A mound of soil mixture is poured over the drainage, on which a seedling is installed. It must be carefully tied to the column.
- The roots of the plant are evenly distributed over the hill, after which they are sprinkled with earth, tamped down and watered (20-30 liters of water will be enough).
- Mulching with a mixture of peat and sawdust completes the planting procedure. The optimal layer of mulch is 5 cm.
Peach Aftercare
Peach is considered a rather capricious crop, the care of which is quite painstaking, but this does not apply to the Kyiv variety. Mandatory conditions for the normal development of a tree are only regular watering and prevention against diseases.
Early Kyiv peach is watered every 7-10 days, while each bush leaves 20-40 liters of water. Watering during fruit ripening is especially important.
Tree pruning is optional, but if the crown is thickened, removing excess shoots helps provide the fruits with enough light.
To be removed:
- shrunken or frostbitten shoots;
- improperly growing, twisted branches;
- branches that shade the fruit too much.
More information about the features of the cropping procedure is described in the video:
In northern regions with harsh winters, peach trees are prepared for wintering. Preparatory measures include the following steps:
- The trunk circle is abundantly watered and mulched with a mixture of humus and sawdust.
- The upper branches and boles are covered with lime and clay as a protection against pests.
- After whitewashing, the trees are covered with spruce branches.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The peach variety Kyiv early is immune to most fungal diseases, but is vulnerable to leaf curl. Preventive measures include treating trees with industrial chemicals or home-made solutions.
The onset of the disease is indicated by the coarsening of leaf plates, buds and young shoots. Subsequently, the leaves curl and turn red.
The photo below shows a peach of the Kyiv early variety, affected by leaf curl.
As a preventive measure, peach is treated in the spring with Skor in a proportion of 2 ml per bucket of water. Processing is done 2 times in 20 days.
In the event that the disease has already affected the plants, they must be sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Conclusion
Peach Kyiv early is well adapted to the conditions of the climate and resistant to frost, thanks to which the variety is still popular with gardeners, despite competition from younger species. In addition, the popularity of the variety has gained precocity and relative unpretentiousness.