Apricot New Jersey

Apricot New Jersey is versatile. It can be cultivated in different regions, and used both fresh and in the preparation of blanks. And the simplicity in care and the wonderful taste properties of large fruits will undoubtedly attract the attention of many gardeners.

New Jersey apricot was obtained by American specialists in 1971. During its breeding, it inherited the best varietal properties of its parents: a good level of resistance to unfavorable climatic conditions, unpretentious care, large-sized fragrant fruits with pleasant dessert taste properties.

Recommended growing regions are the middle zone of Russia and other territories.

Apricot trees are tall (4-5 m), with sparse and sparse crowns. The leaf blades are bright green in color. The roots are strong, well branched, not subject to root decay. In places of planting, the culture is also universal - it is capable of developing productively on heavy and wet soils, it is not worried about the close location of groundwater.

Trees grown from seeds bear smaller fruits, but they are comparatively better adapted to the climatic conditions of growing.

The culture is large-fruited (among the early varieties this is rare), with an increased property of endurance to natural disasters.

Of the pluses of New Jersey apricot, we note:

• early fruiting and self-pollination;

• good level of winter hardiness and drought resistance;

• productive setting, a significant level of yield;

• large-fruited, excellent presentation;

• relatively free separation of seeds from pulp;

• well developed roots;

• unpretentiousness to growing on different soils, resistance to waterlogged soil;

• high immune potential for root rot;

• versatility in use, good level of fruit transport.

Minuses:

• a relatively high level of susceptibility to moniliosis, which often forces the harvesting of fruits until they are fully ripe;

• in places with a temperate climate, on cold days, with early flowering, sometimes the death of some flowers occurs;

• the presence of varietal predisposition to fruit shedding.

Apricots are large in size (60-70 g), rounded configuration, yellow in color, slightly pubescent, have a blurred blush on the sunny side. The pulp is yellow-golden tones. The seeds are easily separated from the pulp, which has a medium degree of juiciness. The fruits tolerate long-distance transportation well. An indicator of the final ripening of apricots is the easy separation of the peel from the pulp.

Fruits should be kept in a marketable condition for up to 20 days in refrigeration units, after placing them in paper bags or in plastic containers.

Apricots are great for fresh consumption. The condensed consistency of the fruits allows their use in various canning methods (preparation of compotes, jams, preserves, pastilles).

In terms of taste, apricots are sweet with an unobtrusive sourness and a characteristic aroma.

The culture blooms early - in the first decade of April, so the flowers and part of the young ovaries often suffer from recurrent frosts. Ripening of the crop usually occurs at the end of June or early July.

The starting harvest of fruits is carried out already in the second year of tree growth, and stable and significant fruit production occurs in the 6-7th year of growth.

With competent agricultural care, the crop is characterized by a high degree of yield - up to 40-50 kg of fruits from a tree.

The culture is self-pollinated, capable of not intensively bearing fruit and independently. Therefore, in order to obtain significant yields, we recommend planting 2-3 trees of various varieties at a distance of 10-15 m.

In southern latitudes, the culture is usually planted in the fall. In areas of the middle lane, disembarkation is allowed both in autumn and in spring.

Spring disembarkation is carried out at a steady average daily temperature of +5? С. In the fall, trees are planted one month before the appearance of stable cold weather.

It is important to remember that the roots of the culture emit toxic components, and the proximity to such trees negatively affects the development of apples and pears, stone fruits, berries and vegetables. For this reason, we recommend planting other plants at a distance of at least 4 m from the New Jersey apricot. Bulbous cultures - galanthus, crocuses, scilla - take root well in its near-stem space. Marigolds, planted in the summer, provide good protection for fruit trees from harmful insects.

2-3-year-old trees with a height of at least 1.5 m take root perfectly in new places. Seedlings are selected with correct crowns, long central conductors and healthy roots. Therefore, when purchasing seedlings, we control the condition of their bark and roots. In this case, you should choose trees with swollen, but unblown buds.

Prior to planting, the roots of the seedlings are placed in a chatter box for 4-5 hours. In seedlings, deformed branches and roots are cut off, and the damaged areas are covered with garden pitch.

Planting recesses (80x80 cm) are prepared at least a month before planting, to compact the soil. The content and stages of disembarkation are standard. When planting in clay soils, lowlands and in the presence of groundwater, drainage is required (10-15 cm).

The planting mixture includes (in equal parts) soil from the upper fertile layer, parts of compost and sand. Mineral fertilizers are also added to the mixture. When planting, the root collar of the tree should rise 5 cm above the ground.

Sanitary cutting of the culture is carried out before the start of sap flow. During the same period, the trees are fed with urea, and in the summer and in the fall - with phosphorus-potassium compounds.

Irrigation is carried out in dry times, and the finishing one - in the last days of August.

The culture has a high immune potential against a number of diseases: bacterial spot, scab, root rot and viral infections. During rainy periods, it is often affected by moniliosis and clotterosporia. Probably an unexpected and rapid lesion called a monilial burn. Treatment for these diseases is carried out using traditional methods.

Of the pests, you should be wary of malicious attacks:

• moths;

• black aphid;

• fruit weevil;

• fruit striped moth.

Professional measures to combat them are carried out in early spring or in autumn, after the harvest.

The culture is characterized by increased, genetically fixed drought resistance. The bark and shoots of the plant are frost-resistant, keep the temperature down to –30? С. It is important to remember that young growth is prone to damping off during periods of long thaws.

To insulate trees, in preparation for the winter cold, they are covered with needles or lutrasil, additionally carrying out the procedure for hilling the bottom of the trunk.

The culture is unpretentious to the soil composition. It requires a well-lit, sheltered from the winds. The southwestern slopes and hills are quite suitable. It develops best on fertile, well-aerated and permeable soils with a low acidity level.