Apricot Alyosha

A variety called Alyosha was created by breeders specifically for planting within the boundaries of the Moscow region and central Russia. In these locations, fruit trees feel as comfortable as possible, and it is easy to achieve high yields. Due to the early maturity of the crop and excellent taste characteristics, the variety fell in love with Russian gardeners.

The variety was entered into the official State Register at the beginning of this century, but only after a series of tests and tests.

Alyosha's apricot grows up to 4 meters in total and is medium-sized. The crown is thick and round, slightly spreading. Straight and branched shoots are covered with a rich burgundy bark. Flowers appear before leaves appear. The broad leaves are a standard dark green color. The shape is round, resembling an egg. Foliage can be either long-pointed or short-pointed. Peduncles grow on all shoots. The vein in the center of the leaf is noticeable.

In autumn, the green color changes to red, burgundy or yellow, in different shades. In spring, the branches are covered with small flowers - from 3.5 to 4 centimeters in diameter. The buds are light pink in color, gradually turning white, as they bloom with a delicate shade.

Small fruits gain weight from 15 to 20 grams on average. Rounded fruits are slightly flattened on both sides. This shape is typical for most apricot trees. The main color of the apricot is bright yellow, there is a dotted pink blush on the side. The fruits are covered with a shiny skin with a small amount of light fluff.

The bright orange flesh is cartilaginous and firm. A large bone grows inside, which is remarkably separated from the fetus. The size of the stone is about 17% of the total fruit (in ripe apricots).

Ripe fruits can be used for the following purposes:

• making tasty and healthy juice;

• aromatic jam;

• compotes (fresh or for the winter);

• use in natural form.

Ripe fruits harmoniously combine sweet and sour flavors. Most gardeners who have personally cultivated this variety speak positively about the taste of the Alyosha variety. Assessment of tasters - 4 points. Each fruit contains 8.3% sugars and 14% solids. And also in the composition there are potassium and other useful trace elements.

The first crop is harvested 3-4 years after grafting. Early flowering and ripening of apricots. Apricots are harvested from late July to early next month. They reach their final maturity in the first decade of August. It is during this period that the fruits become as juicy, aromatic and sweet as possible.

On average, up to 43 quintals of fruit can be harvested from one hectare of orchard. The high yield of the Alyosha variety was noted by the majority of Russian gardeners. If the trees have been planted in the recommended areas, you will not have to make much effort to obtain a rich and high-quality harvest.

Ripe apricots tolerate even long-term transportation without any problems. For the fruit to be stored longer, they need to be removed from the branches a little unripe. The fruit boxes are transferred to a room with advising conditions. Fruits are better kept cool and at optimum moisture.

The first few waves will not be as plentiful as the next. Best of all, mature trees bear fruit, which have managed to completely take root on the site and get stronger enough.

Apricot Alyosha belongs to self-fertile varieties. When the buds begin to bloom, the pollinating insects are not yet active and only the wind carries the pollen. The flowering period starts from the last days of April to the first days of May. Thanks to this characteristic, additional manipulations do not need to be performed for a successful yield.

Experienced gardeners note that the above variety is considered a wonderful pollinator for other fruit varieties that bloom during the same period.

Garden maintenance consists of performing certain activities on a regular basis. Formative pruning of young seedlings is carried out after tree planting. During work, you need to leave only 6 healthy and strong shoots. Each must be shortened by about a third of the total length. By trimming, the crown of the tree acquires a neat, rounded shape.

After that, in order to maintain an attractive appearance, pruning must be performed every season with the arrival of autumn, cutting off the overgrown branches.

In one pruning procedure, a maximum of a quarter of the shoots are eliminated from the total number of shoots. As a prophylaxis for fungal infections, the crown is thinned out. And also dense growth will not allow the fruits to fully ripen due to the lack of sunlight.

Pruning is necessary not only for the appearance and health of trees, but also for a quality harvest.

As for watering, trees especially need liquid twice a season: active flowering and the formation of ovaries. The rest of the time the garden is also irrigated, but not so abundantly. The earth is moistened as it dries. In hot summer, watering is carried out more often, and in the season of regular rains, you can completely abandon this procedure. It is advisable to use settled water at room temperature.

Top dressing is also used. The first portion, with a high nitrogen content, is applied to the trunk circle when buds appear. Both ready-made store fertilizers and organic matter (rotted manure, compost or humus) are great. Potassium salt and superphosphate will be useful in the fall.

The Alyosha variety perfectly tolerates frosts, so in most regions it can be grown without shelter and additional insulation. And also the apricot is not afraid of drought, but at this time it is necessary to provide the plants with regular watering.

The above variety boasts a strong innate immunity to many common diseases that often attack fruit crops. The most active of them are clasterosporium and moniliosis. Under the influence of these infections, flowers and leaves begin to die off.They are caused by fungal spores that spread quickly. Diseases are activated due to excessive humidity and a sharp change in temperature.