Apricot Black Prince: the best growing recommendations from experienced gardeners

Modern breeders surprise with all new varieties of apricots, which are distinguished by frost resistance and drought resistance, as well as strong immunity. This article will discuss one of these varieties - the Black Prince apricot.

Gardeners still know little about the Black Prince apricot variety, which does not prevent it from becoming more and more popular. Black Prince was bred from a hybrid variety, which, according to experts, appeared by natural pollination of apricot and cherry plum (later the variety was made more perfect and the plum was added).

Apricot Black Prince: photo of the variety

Apricot Black Prince: variety description

The crown of this mostly small tree does not differ in density and combines thorny branches in itself. Dark green color of the bark, oval leaves on a thin petiole, snow-white or pinkish flowers. The Black Prince is an unusual apricot, although it looks like a plum - it is not the only variety of black apricot. But the size of its fruits is much larger than similar counterparts (from 45 to 90 g).

The fruits of the Black Prince apricot variety ripen at the end of August (in the middle lane) or at the beginning of the month (in the south).

The maroon color of the apricot skin is quite unusual along with the juicy maroon pulp. The taste of the hybrid Black Prince apricot is pleasant, tart and slightly sour. Despite the self-pollinating culture, it can be pollinated by cherry plum, thorns and other apricots of all stripes.

Planting an apricot Black Prince

It is best to plant the Black Prince apricot varieties in the spring before budding, preferably on a cloudy, rainy day. And then the seedling will definitely take root. If the seedlings are already with leaves, then shorten the branches by about a third and remove half of the leaves.

Then the moisture will linger more actively, and your apricot tree will not die with sudden spring frosts. Planting in autumn is not recommended, except in the southern regions (no later than September). In this case, a two-month adaptation of the seedling is assumed.

Despite the heat-loving and sun-loving varieties of apricot Black Prince, it is carefully protected from drafts and winds. Taking this into account, they plant the "Black Prince" strictly on the southern side of the backyard, fenced off by a fence or wall of the house.

Any soil is suitable, but not wet: there should not be any groundwater in the vicinity! When planting, it should be remembered that in the future, one tree will require a plot of 5 m2.

About the features of care and cultivation

For planting, you should carefully choose the plants from the seller: strong apricot seedlings Black Prince, which have a developed root system and a moist earthen ball at the roots, are suitable.

The apricot planting pit should be tackled in the fall. They dig a hole 0.8 × 0.8 × 0.8 m, lay drainage down and drive in pegs (so that they stick out on the soil surface by about 0.5 m). The excavated soil is mixed with peat (2: 1), superphosphate (500 g) and ash (2 kg) and put back into the planting recess. Everything remains in this state until spring.

By the spring, the pit will sink. A recess is made in it according to the appropriate size of the plant. Further, trying not to bend the roots, it is placed in a hole taking into account the immersion of the root collar (it should rise about 5 cm above the soil surface). Sprinkled with soil and tamped, watered with water. At the end, the plant is tied to a peg.

Despite its undemanding care in the care of the "Black Prince", it is necessary, like other fruit crops, to be watered, fed and pruned. So that in winter, especially young trees do not freeze, they should be wrapped up, and in spring the trunks should be treated with lime.

Watering rules

The apricot variety Black Prince does not tolerate dry summers well, but it also does not withstand strong waterlogging. Watering "Black Prince" should be regularly frequent, but moderate. Already in late summer, trees are watered less and less, and much less often in autumn.

How to properly feed black apricot

The main rule for feeding this variety is not to give nitrogen fertilizers and not to overdo it with the amount, since this plant does not accept an excess.

Apricot Black Prince loves moderation in organic (during spring growth) and mineral dressings (when fruits are formed).

How to prune the Black Prince apricot variety correctly?

The rule of moderation also applies here. Trees should be pruned rather rarely, because they are not particularly branched. In total, 2 pruning should be carried out: spring sanitary (remove damaged, frozen and diseased branches) and autumn (broken and unhealthy).

As it thickens, you can prune the crown, forming the shape of the tree.

On the prevention of harmful insects and various diseases

Despite the high stamina, strength and endurance of the "Black Prince", it is still necessary to know about preventive measures and implement them. Let us recall the slogan “Cleanliness is the guarantee of health”. In relation to the "Black Prince", he is very helpful!

Be sure to clean the place near the trunk circle in the spring so that pests or some kind of infection do not start in the apricots, twigs, bark particles left over from winter. Cut loose or dried branches in spring and autumn (lubricate the cuts with a garden varnish), and process the bark with lime. In the summer, it will not hurt to weed weeds in the radius of the tree trunk circle.

Look closely at the plant for the first symptoms of possible disease or parasite infestation. In the case of diseases, universal fungicide preparations can be used, and insects can be overcome with the help of insecticides or folk methods (decoction from velvet or tomato tops, onion decoction).

Apricot Black Prince: photo of the variety

Apricot variety Black Prince: pros and cons

First about positive features.

• As mentioned above, this variety is quite unpretentious and undemanding in planting and caring for it. - A huge advantage of the "Black Prince" over other varieties of apricot - in its winter hardiness, yield, taste, resistance to various diseases.
• Many gardeners note the bright decorative properties of this fruit tree during the flowering period. With the help of several Black Prince trees, you can create a unique design in your garden area.
• Another bonus for owners is self-pollination! And thanks to late flowering, the possibility of suffering from spring frosts is reduced to zero.
• From the Black Prince apricot variety, an incredibly tasty canning is obtained (you will lick your fingers from jam, compote or marmalade!) It is worth trying!

Now let's talk about cons apricot varieties Black Prince.

• First of all, it is the difficulty of transportation, since the fruits are very tender and quickly deteriorate. That is why apricots should be harvested unripe.
• Uncovered roots (mulch) within the radius of the trunk circle may freeze out.
• The trunk of six-year-old trees is covered with thorns.