Apricot Star

Columnar fruit trees are an excellent option for planting on a modest-sized plot. The narrow crown provides useful space savings. One such plant is the Star Apricot Tree. In this article, you will learn about its characteristics, planting and care features.

The tree itself is low and grows to a maximum of 2.2 meters. The diameter of the "fruiting column" reaches an average of 30 cm. Such parameters make it possible to plant many more trees in one area instead of planting similar crops. This variety will not be appreciated unless lovers of shade from trees.

The branches of the Star Apricot are slightly raised, with narrow dark green leaves. The tree blooms in spring very beautifully: medium-sized inflorescences of white, slightly pink.

Given the growth and parameters of the tree, its fruits are nevertheless no worse. Rounded large fruits reach an average of 55-65 g, maximum - 95 g. Golden, they become ruddy on the sunny side - a very beautiful shade. Stored on average from 10 days to 2 weeks.

The juicy pulp has an excellent sweet, sometimes sour taste. The color of the fleshy and juicy flesh inside: yellow or golden orange.

The fruits of the tree appear in 3-4 years. Star apricots are classified as mid-ripening according to the ripening period. The flowering period falls in April and May, ripening - June and early July. Fruiting dates are, on average, limited to the 20th of July and the first days of August.

The yield of the Star Apricot is excellent. Subject to proper planting and care, as well as a warm summer, an average of 15-20 kg is harvested from one tree.

It is known that the Star Apricot is now more common in the Moscow Region and in the Moscow Region. However, due to its resistance to frost, this makes it suitable for planting in other areas as well.

The tree is classified as self-fertile. Doesn't need pollinators.

Planting a seedling is traditionally planned in the spring months, the tree should take root and grow stronger in the new land. The soil and its preparation will be discussed below.

Taking care of the Star Apricot is not too difficult, but it takes skill. It is important to observe the following aspects.

1. Watering. This is not something difficult, but very important for the tree and the yield in general. All fruit trees and bushes need periodic watering of sufficient volumes. This affects the size of the fruit, but you should not get carried away: the root system may suffer. By the way, it is much smaller in this plant than in trees of standard forms, therefore, it often needs irrigation.

2. Top dressing. Helps maintain tree health, fruiting levels and disease resistance. Both organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable.

3. Pruning. It is carried out regularly and is also necessary for the plant, like light and water. Proper maintenance allows the tree to maintain its shape and yield. Bottom branches close to the ground are usually removed. Do not feel sorry for sick, dry and broken shoots. Without them, the plant will be easier.Pruning is carried out annually, and it is useful to shorten the remaining branches by 10-15 cm.

Returning to watering, we note that the Star Apricot needs sessions with a frequency of 2-3 times a week. The norm is 1 bucket per seedling. Later, when the tree gets stronger and matures, it is watered only once a week.

Columnar trees are more in need of fertilizers. Well suited nutrients:

1. nitrogen (the norm for the early and flowering periods is 9 kg per 0.5 ha);

2. phosphorus (norm - 7 kg / 0.5 ha, 3 additional fertilizing per year, before bud dissolution, before bud opening and during fruit formation);

3. potassium (norm - 20 kg / 0.5 ha).

Diseases do not bring trees to death, but can significantly reduce crop volumes and viable indicators in general. Weakened plants tolerate winter worse.

Columnar trees have a weak spot: the trunk. Experienced gardeners protect it from insects, animals and severe frosts. And also he does not tolerate strong temperature changes, including day and night. In this case, the solution is simple - the trunk is whitewashed, since white reflects the sun's rays best of all.

Stellar's trunk is also protected from mice and insects. In the fight against the latter, "Karbofos", a spray agent, is used. Apply it before the flowering period of the tree. For the winter, a metal mesh is erected around the trunk - from rodents.

In the fight against fungi, a simple spraying with a one percent solution of Bordeaux liquid is used. It is used before the kidneys open, and in a rainy summer it is carried out three times a week.

The plant can withstand up to -35 ° C. However, for the winter, he should build a shelter, the frost can reach the tree trunk. Since Zvezdny has small branches, it will be quite easy to do this.

It is necessary to plant Zvezdny apricot in a well-lit place, avoiding hills and lowlands. When preparing a hole with a depth of 40 cm, its parameters should be 20 cm larger than the diameter of the root system of the seedling. It is useful to lay the drainage at the bottom of the pit with a layer of 15-20 cm. It is possible to plant it in a container.

Plants do not give a lot of shade, so the distance between the trees is enough 0.6 m. Apricot Zvezdny is undemanding to the soil, but before planting it should be well dug up, all stones and weeds are removed. It is useful to add organic fertilizers to the soil by mixing. The proportion of humus, rotted manure or other organic matter is 1: 1. Sand is added to heavy and clayey soil in relation to the total mass of 20-30%.