Apricot Royal

The heat-loving apricot tree, which gives tasty fruits, has now become possible to grow even in the northern region, the main thing is to choose the right variety. The winter-hardy varieties that take root in the southern part of Siberia include the royal apricot species, bred in Khakassia.

Apricot Royal is a vigorous tree with a wide, rounded crown with a strong oval thickening, bright green foliage. In a favorable environment, apricot grows up to 5 meters high. The tree is characterized by an unusual color of the bark of the thickened trunk - reddish with a brown tint. The life cycle of a tree is 25-30 years.

The fruit crop begins to bloom early - in the last week of April. During this period, the lush crown is densely covered with snow-white five-petal flowers, which attract insects with a bright aroma.

The variety belongs to the large-fruited category. On an adult tree, fruits weighing 35-45 grams ripen. The shape of the fruit is correct - oval, with a perfectly smooth surface reminiscent of velvet due to its slight pubescence. The skin of the fruit is thin, elastic, without stiffness. Ripe apricots have a beautiful golden yellow color, diluted with bright blush in the form of dots and spots on the sunny side. The abdominal suture of the fruit is deep.

The purpose of dessert fruits is universal - fruits are eaten fresh, jams and jam, compotes are cooked from them, frozen, preserved in slices. Because apricots are thin-skinned and tender, they are difficult to transport. Fruit storage is also short.

Khakass apricot selection is famous for its excellent taste. The yellow pulp of the fruit is tender, fleshy, slightly fibrous and very juicy. Complete harmony is felt in the taste - summer sweetness is complemented by a refreshing sourness. Dessert aroma that persists even after heat treatment. A small bone is easily separated from the pulp.

Royal is an early ripening variety. The tree begins to bear fruit in the 4th year after planting. You can evaluate the taste of apricots in the second half of June. The fruits ripen en masse at the end of June. The variety bears fruit steadily - every year.

The tree gives good yields - the older the apricot, the higher the yield indicator. On average, a ten-year-old tree gives 40-50 kg. The maximum figure reaches 150 kg of apricots from one mature tree per season.

The fruit crop is self-fertile, therefore it can bear fruit without additional cross-pollination.

Planting a seedling is carried out in early spring, when the soil has thawed, the weather has stabilized, and the temperature does not drop below zero. For planting, a two-year-old seedling with a developed rhizome, 100-110 cm high and intact bark is chosen. The distance between trees must be at least 4 meters. It is not recommended to plant apricots next to cherries, pears, apples and walnuts.

Agrotechnics of the tree are standard - watering, fertilizing, sanitary pruning of branches, forming a crown, whitewashing a trunk, weeding and loosening the soil, preventing diseases and pest attacks, preparing for winter.

The variety has good immunity, so it can withstand many fungal infections. It is extremely rare that an apricot can undergo clasterosporium disease, cytosporosis and monilial burn. Much more often the tree is attacked by pests - moth, leafworm and aphids. As an effective prophylaxis, treatments and spraying with insecticides and fungicides are used.

The frost resistance of the tree is high, so it does not freeze even at temperatures of -20 ... 22 degrees. Only young seedlings, which can freeze slightly, need shelter for the winter. For this, spruce branches and burlap are used.

Apricot Royal needs warmth and sufficient lighting, so you need to plant it on a flat area that is abundantly illuminated by the sun. It is best to plant on the southern side of the site, where there is reliable protection against drafts and moisture accumulation, which can lead to rotting of the rhizome. Fertile, breathable, air-permeable soil with a neutral acidity level, for example, loam or black soil, will become comfortable for apricot. Do not forget also about the space that an adult tree will need in the future, since it is voluminous and reacts poorly to shade.