Apricot Manchurian
Content:
Manchurian apricot is an ornamental shrub that is very popular due to its chic appearance, high yield and fruits of a very original taste.
History of the emergence of culture
The Manchurian apricot was bred by Chinese scientists in Russia. The goal for the researchers was quite exciting: the resulting apricot should resemble sakura. Scientists were able to obtain and maintain quite satisfactory results, and already in mid-2005 the Manchurian apricot was entered in the State Register of the Russian Federation.
Manchurian apricot: variety description and characteristics
Manchurian apricot: photo of the variety
The Manchurian apricot found its place in the Red Book due to the rarity of the species, because the variety was bred relatively recently. This shrub reproduces easily and quite simply, so the gardeners on whose plots the apricot grows are real lucky ones - after all, the Manchurian variety looks really impressive. A dense, spreading crown with many shoots looks like an openwork tablecloth. The height of an adult shrub reaches 15 m, the diameter of the trunk is 40 cm on average. The bark of an adult plant is dark, covered with wide furrows, and in a young one it is much lighter, light brown, a shade of milk chocolate. Apricot leaves are oval in shape, with a sharp top, average size about 11-12 cm.
The color of the leaves in summer ranges from bright green to dark green, and in early autumn they turn yellow, with specks and a slight reddish tint. Because of such an original, pleasant color, the variety is quite popular among breeders who love to decorate their gardens and plots with unusual ornamental plants. It is interesting that the leaves begin to fall off the branches only with the first frost, approximately in the second decade of November.
During the flowering period of the Manchurian apricot tree, you can see rather large pink buds of the most delicate shade, located in groups or hanging alone on short pedicels. The shrub looks like a huge, gorgeous flower during flowering, in part because the leaves only open after the buds.
The size of the Manchurian apricot fruits reaches 2.5 cm, which is considered quite impressive, and the weight is about 20 g. The color of the fruits is yellow-orange, the aroma is honey, and they taste sweet, with a peculiar, pleasant sourness. The best places for cultivation, according to experts in the field of breeding, are the Far East and Siberia.
Apricot shrubs of this variety grow and bear fruit for about 100 years, which is very popular with gardeners. But in order to achieve such a long life, it is important to carefully observe the conditions of disembarkation and care. You also need to choose the right place on the site, rather based on aesthetic considerations, since the variety is not picky about the soil and has strong, branched roots.
Influence of temperatures
The plant of the Manchurian apricot variety perfectly adapts to sudden changes in temperature and has high endurance: it simply tolerates dry days and a significant drop in temperature. The plant is also well suited for temperatures in the north of the middle zone, since it has high winter hardiness and calmly takes root in regions with a fairly cold climate.
Terms of pollination, as well as flowering and ripening
Manchurian apricot: photo of the variety
The shrub is able to provide itself with pollination and even increase the yield of other plants, it is enough to plant 3-4 Manchurian shrubs on the site. If it is not planned to plant as many plants, it will be enough to inoculate other plants on the shrub. The Manchurian apricot tree picks up color at the very end of April and blooms for 12 days, and the harvest can be harvested in July.
Apricot "Manchurian": yield
On structured, fertile land, the Manchurian apricot will grow and bear fruit perfectly, although even on stony ground the shrub will yield a good harvest. After planting, trees of this variety will begin to bear fruit for 5-7 years. The yield will be annual, high and stable, without jumps. About 40 kg of fragrant fruits are removed from a single shrub. Subject to maintenance standards and other horticultural activities, it is quite possible to increase the amount of the crop up to 50 kg per tree.
Manchurian apricot: application
The originality of the taste of the Manchurian apricot variety is caused by the decorative component of the variety, but the noticeable sourness and light astringency have little effect on the standard use of fruits: jam, jams, compotes, fresh consumption. Even apricot pits are widely used: - in cooking they are used fried when replacing almonds, - in cosmetology - in the manufacture of oil saturated with healthy fats.
Pests and diseases
The most dangerous for the Manchurian apricot variety are spider mites, aphids and cherry elephants. To scare them away and stop their spread, it is enough to use products that are sold in specialized stores. The diseases that most often affect the variety are verticellosis and spotting.
Manchurian apricot: pros and cons
The pronounced advantages of the Manchurian apricot variety include:
- high yield without decreasing with the age of the tree;
- the ability to perfectly tolerate transportation, as well as loading and unloading;
- Manchurian apricot can be stored for a long time, while it will not lose its visual appeal and taste;
- shrubs are resistant to sudden temperature changes;
- the variety does not lend itself to most diseases;
- decorativeness, special beauty of the crown.
The only possible minus of the plant is the peculiar, very interesting taste of the fruit.
Manchurian apricot: planting varieties
Manchurian apricot: video about the varietye
For the rapid and correct development of culture, it is important to comply with all planting conditions, then the tree will be beautiful, and the fruiting will be even and abundant.
Best drop off time
The most ideal planting time is the end of April, when the soil is already slightly warmed up by the spring sun. But it is important not to delay the landing and be in time before the buds swell. In the fall, you can also plant a shrub, but you should be careful - severe winter frosts can seriously harm an immature tree.
Drop off location
It is ideal to find a sunny place on the site with soil containing a lot of lime, without stagnant moisture and excessive salts. It is also important to protect the tree from the north, cold wind, therefore, apricot shrubs of the Manchurian variety are usually not planted in the lowlands.
Neighborhood with other cultures
The Manchurian apricot variety is quite individual, therefore it tolerates well the neighborhood with other apricot varieties, but it is better to plant a shrub from a nut, mountain ash, plum, cherry, pear and apple tree and keep it away.
Planting material
The seeds of the Manchurian apricot variety, even after a few years, are able to grow into a beautiful, strong tree, but before planting them, for reliability, they must be checked. It is enough to put the seeds in a glass and fill with water, and then remove the floating, unusable seeds. It is better to store the planting material in damp, well-ventilated sand, at a temperature of about 0C for 3 months.
Disembarkation sequence
The seeds are planted in a furrow with a depth of at least 1 cm - seeds are placed and applied with soil, and then watered abundantly. The apricot seedling is placed in a pit fertilized with compost mixture, so that the root neck looks out by 2-3 cm.
Leaving after disembarkation
Manchurian apricot almost does not require special care, but it is important: - to observe the watering regime, especially in the first year, it should be watered once every 5 days, and after a year - only when the soil dries out. If you pour a shrub, then the shoots of the plant will not be able to grow enough and will die with the first cold weather; - annually cut off damaged and dried-up branches. This should be done in spring, early March, and autumn; - feed the apricot at least 2 times a year. In April-May, it is better to choose mineral fertilizers, and in the fall - organic. In the summer, feeding is carried out only with a lack of nutrients; - do not forget to loosen the soil near the tree trunk and carry out mulching; - whitewash the trunk with whitewash (add copper sulfate to protect it from various bugs); - insulate the trunk with a layer of mulch for the winter.
Manchurian apricot: reproduction
Reproduction is possible both by stratified seeds and by green cuttings.
Seed propagation
The seeds of ripe apricots are soaked, the best ones are chosen and stored for 3 months, and then they are planted in the ground and watered frequently. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place only after 3 years of growing in the mother liquor.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings harvested in the second summer month are planted only in mid-September. For cuttings, thick branches are chosen, 3 internodes and a few leaves are left, and then they are left in a warm, growth-stimulating solution (about 24C) for 15-16 hours. The rootstock for cuttings should be chosen from a variety that is as accustomed to the conditions of the region as possible - this will ensure high productivity and a long life of the tree.
Prevention and treatment of diseases
Cope with spotting will help the drug "Hom", which should be used exactly according to the instructions. A soap solution will help to defeat verticillosis, including for prophylactic purposes.
Ticks will evaporate after using insecticidal preparations of the "Regent" type, the cherry elephant is afraid of potassium permanganate solution, and aphids cannot tolerate preparations with copper.
Apricot Manchurian: gardeners reviews about the variety
- Ekaterina Fedorovna, Moscow region: “I have been growing apricots on my site for a long time, and the Manchurian apricot variety is especially beautiful in autumn. I harvested the first harvest in 6 years, there were a lot of apricots, like every year. In order not to decrease the yield, we plant this variety with a whole group, so that it is easier to pollinate. In blanks, I usually mix it with fruits of a different variety, this gives rise to piquancy. Be sure to turn the bones into oil or fry. In general, from Manchurian apricots and beauty in the garden, and profit. "
- Igor Viktorovich, Amur region: “Manchurian saplings of apricot variety planted on his plot - I liked it for its unpretentiousness and resistance to frost. Now it is growing, and I hand over the seeds and sell seedlings, I am quite satisfied. There is always a lot of harvest, the plant itself is beautiful, and all the seedlings are working. Although the taste of the fruit is not standard, many people like it, and it is also attracted by the fact that Manchurian apricot can be grown in cold regions. "