Apricot Son of Red-cheeked

Apricot variety Son of Krasnoshchekiy possesses incomparable qualities that were bred by breeders in the course of long and hard work. High endurance, strong immunity and good winter hardiness distinguish this variety from the rest, which makes it a very popular option for planting in regions with harsh weather conditions.

The variety was sectioned in 1949 in the Crimea. For the basis, they took the varieties Golden Summer and Krasnoshchekiy, from which the name of the cultured culture comes from - Son of Krasnoshchekiy. It is also known that Asian varieties were used in the process, which gave the developed variety a characteristic ruddy appearance.

The resulting variety was appreciated by experts, after which it was officially approved and confirmed in 1974.

The trunk of a tree of this culture can reach a length of 12 meters. The crown of the tree is dense and spreading, in shape similar to an oval. The branches become very long over time. The lifespan of one tree can reach 60 years or more.

The sheets are rounded in shape with a pointed tip that extends slightly to the side. The bark is brown, has a tendency to crack, the shoots are red and curved. Vegetative buds are very small in size - up to 3 mm, as well as generative ones. The petiole can be from 20 to 40 mm, its thickness is medium. The flowers are characterized by pure white color, their diameter is 30 mm.

Fruits are oval in shape, slightly flattened on the sides, have a characteristic blush, medium pubescence. The fruit has a rounded apex. Fruit weight - within 30-60 grams. A longitudinal scar is visible on the surface of the fruit. The skin is quite dense. The pulp is rich orange in color, of moderate density, exudes a sweet aroma. An oval-shaped bone departs from it without problems.

The fruit has a very sweet taste with a slight sourness and barely noticeable bitterness. The aroma is pleasant, characteristic apricot.

The fruit contains:

• sugar - 8.9%;
• monosugar - 1.9%;
• sucrose - 7%;
• titratable acids - 2.6%.

According to the results of taste tests, the variety received a good score of 4.7.

The culture begins to bloom from late April or early May. Flowering depends on climatic conditions, usually plentiful. Gradually blooming white flowers are large in size. After a period of flowering, the crown of the tree is overgrown with dense massive greenery.

Ripening is average. The first fruiting occurs in mid-July and lasts until the first decade of August. As the fruits ripen, they are removed in several stages. It is recommended to harvest the fruits in a timely manner, before they fall off.

After 4-5 years from the moment of planting, the tree begins to produce crops. One young fruiting tree gives up to 28.5 kg of yield, each subsequent year this figure decreases. The yield is strongly influenced by temperature changes throughout the year: the buds do not endure the winter period equally.

The variety is suitable for cultivation in the Central region of Russia. Recommended for planting in the Volga region. But, judging by the reviews, the variety takes root well and bears fruit in the more northern parts of the country, for example, in the Moscow region.

The variety is self-fertile thanks to the hard work of breeders. There is no need for pollinating plants, he is able to pollinate other varieties of apricots that coincide in terms of flowering.

Soil preparation must be carried out in early spring according to the following algorithm.

• A hole is dug with a size of 70 by 80 cm.
• Earth is taken from the pit and mixed with peat, humus and sand in equal proportions. After that, 300-400 g of superphosphate and 1-1.5 kg of ash are added to the resulting soil mixture.
• A layer of crushed stone and expanded clay is laid out, 10-15 cm in height.
• From above, the resulting layer is covered with fertile soil.
• The deepening is covered with roofing material and remains until spring.

After that, the planting of seedlings in the early spring occurs in this way.

• In a plant taken from a shelter, the root system is soaked in a growth stimulator for 1-2 hours.
• The recess, prepared from the winter, opens. A low hill of soil is made in it, a peg is inserted onto which the seedling will be tied.
• The hole is covered with soil and compacted well.
• A circle is formed around the trunk of the seedling, 2-3 buckets of water are poured into it.
• The soil around the tree is mulched with hay, straw or sawdust.
• The seedling is tied to a peg with a soft ribbon or rope.

In the process of caring for a seedling after planting, it must be watered abundantly every few days with a water consumption of up to 30 liters per seedling - in the first season. In the second season, the tree is watered with a volume of water - up to 30-40 liters. During the summer, the volume of irrigation is 40-50 liters, and after harvesting - 50-60 liters.

In the spring, it is necessary to fertilize the plant with ammonium nitrate - 6-7 liters for each tree. Apricot feeding is done with 1 liter of chicken manure per 11-13 liters of water. Before the start of the winter season, the apricot is fertilized with 7-8 liters of mullein.

Prune the apricot several times throughout the year:

• in the early spring, dry and frozen branches, deformed parts of the crown are removed;
• painful branches are removed in summer;
• in late autumn, they get rid of branches affected by diseases.

Before leaving for the winter, the tree trunk is wrapped with roofing material.

The culture has a low susceptibility to viral and fungal infections.With proper and timely care, the tree practically does not suffer from diseases and pests.

The variety is characterized by high winter hardiness, which is why it is allowed to plant it in regions where the temperature can reach up to -20 degrees Celsius. With a decrease in this temperature indicator, the tree needs insulation.

The kidneys are sensitive to weather conditions during the winter. But in even cold winters, up to 20-30% of living buds remain, which ensures a stable average yield.

This variety prefers sunny, spacious areas that can be located on a small hill. Low-lying areas are excluded, since excessive moisture can damage the root system of the tree. The occurrence of groundwater must be at least 2 meters.

The variety is planted in areas protected from gusty winds. The optimal planting site is the southern or southwestern slopes. As a soil, chernozems with medium acidity are most suitable.