Apricot Black Velvet

Some fruits and vegetables are able to surprise not only with their taste, but also with their unusual appearance. Apricots of the Black Velvet variety are among them. Dark, almost black skin, pinkish flesh. And, importantly, all this complements the pleasant taste. Unfortunately, you cannot see this variety on store shelves everywhere and not always.

But for gardeners, this is not a problem. Black velvet thrives on home gardens in most regions.

A breeding variety created in 1994 in Crimea by G.V. Eremin and A.V. Isachkin. It appeared as a result of crossing American black apricot and cherry plum. In 2005, Black Velvet was entered into the State Register.

A short tree with a spreading, medium density, rounded crown and bright green medium-sized leaves, pointed at the tips. The flowers are large, pale pink or white.

In size, the fruits are a cross between cherry plum and apricot. Their average weight is 25-30 g. The shape of the fruit is round-oval. They have a black-purple pubescent, velvety skin. Unripe apricots are greenish, they begin to darken closer to the moment of ripening. The stone is small, but it is difficult to separate from the yellow-red pulp.

Apricots of this variety are juicy, sweet, but with a noticeable sourness. The aroma is pleasant, light. Suitable for both fresh consumption and canning.

Black Velvet trees grow slowly, adding about 15 cm per season. Apricot begins to bear fruit in the 3-4th year after planting. The fruits reach maturity in July, towards the end of the month. In the northern regions, the deadline is shifted to August.

One tree gives at least 50 kg of fruit per season. The crop is highly transportable, and can be stored under proper conditions for about 3 months.

Conditions for long-term storage:

• fruits should be harvested a little earlier than they reach maturity;

• they should be placed in boxes in no more than 3 rows;

• the storage room must be well ventilated.

The variety has been zoned in the North Caucasian region, but it also feels good in the middle lane. The only subtlety is that in regions with a cool, unstable climate, it is better to form trees without a trunk or like bushes.

Partially self-fertile. To achieve a high yield, pollinating trees, for example, plum or cherry plum, must grow nearby.

In order for the apricot to feel good and to please with fruits, a number of conditions must be observed from the moment of purchase of the seedling.

It is best to buy seedlings in the fall. These should be annual or biennial specimens with a strong root system.

In winter, until planting, it should be stored in a room with a temperature of + 1 ... 5 ° C. The roots must be dipped in a clay and mullein composition (1: 1), wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in an incompletely closed bag.

Pick up times will vary by region. Most often it is spring, when the earth has already begun to warm up, but sap flow has not yet begun in plants.

The dimensions of the landing pit are 80 cm in diameter and 80 in depth.

Before planting, the soil is fertilized in advance, even in the fall, with a nutrient mixture consisting of:

• topsoil;

• a couple of liters of ash;

• 3 buckets of humus;

• 300 g superphosphate.

If it was not possible to prepare the place in advance, then immediately before planting, 20-25 g of potassium chloride and 35 g of superphosphate should be added to the soil.

In the hole, you need to make a small mound and place the roots of the seedling on it. Spread them out. Cover with earth.

The root collar should be deepened into the ground by 4 cm (by 11 - in sandy loam soils). The grafting site should remain 5 cm above the soil.

The land around and the seedling itself must be watered abundantly, as well as mulched.

It is advisable to cut the seedling, leaving 70 cm and 5 growth buds.

The variety does not require any complex care. The main thing to pay attention to is watering. Black velvet does not tolerate dry weather well. He needs 2-3 buckets of water every couple of weeks. Increase watering by the fruiting period.

Fertilizing the plant should be started in the 5th year of life. In the spring, nitrogen-containing compounds are introduced, later, at the beginning of June, potash compounds. Phosphates are used in October.

It is also worth paying attention to tree pruning. In the first 5 years, the shape of the crown is fixed:

• in the second year of life, in the spring - pruning 5 cm from the trunk of all branches;

• in the future - summer and autumn pruning.

Sections need to be processed with garden pitch.

The plant has strong immunity and is resistant to most fungal diseases.

Unfortunately, the picture with pests is not so rosy. Several insects can spoil the life of the variety.

• Gall midge ocular. You can fight it by using chemicals, collecting and destroying damaged parts.

• The moth was stripping. It is being liquidated by Karbofos. For prevention, butterfly traps are used.

• The leafworm is shy. You can fight "Fufanon" or "Karbofos".

One of the key advantages of the variety in question is its frost resistance. Flowers do not fall off during frost, and yields even increase, according to gardeners. However, this property cannot be abused, and it is still better to cover the tree for the winter.

Planting Black Velvet should be on the south side, in a lighted, not flooded and not ventilated place. It is strictly forbidden to plant in lowlands and areas with abundant groundwater. Best of all, if it is not a steep slope.

The soil should be loose, with moderate acidity. Sandy soil and loam will not work for the variety.

Most gardeners are happy to have opted for this particular variety of black apricot. They note its serviceable fruiting, even in rather harsh conditions. However, there can be problems with the harvest if there are not enough pollinating trees nearby.

Taste sensations from the fruits are called "unexpected" and "interesting", saying that at first this apricot can even be confused with cherry plum. Fruits are often consumed directly from the branch, but they note that compotes and jams from these apricots are quite worthy.

Of the shortcomings, the very small size of apricots is most often called.

If this does not bother you, and plums, cherry plums or apricots of other varieties are already growing on the site, then Black Velvet will be an excellent addition and decoration of the garden collection. Unpretentious in care, possessing beautiful and tasty fruits, it is able to please even a sophisticated amateur gardener.