Rootstock Manchurian apricot. Ornamental shrub Manchurian apricot. What crops can and cannot be planted next to an apricot

Armeniaca mandshurica (Maxim.) V. Skvortsov
Category and status: 3 g - a rare species. In Russia, it is located on the northeastern border of the range.
A brief description of. Small tree up to 12 m high. and up to 45 cm in diameter. It blooms in late April - the first half of May, before the leaves bloom, very abundantly and almost annually, but the fruits are tied only in plants growing in open places. Lives up to 100 years (1, 2, 3).
Spreading. In Russia, it occurs only in the south of Primorsky Krai on the Khanka plain, spurs of the East Manchurian mountains and in the very south of Sikhote-Alin in the Oktyabrsky, Ussuriysky, Pogranichny, Mikhailovsky, Khankaysky, Khorolsky, Spassky, Chernigov, Shkotovsky and Partizansky districts. The main part of the range is located on the territory of the first five districts. It is less common in other areas. The northernmost points of growth of the species are the southwestern environs of the village. Novokachalinsk, Khankai district (north-west end of Lake Khanka) and southern environs of the city of Spassk-Dalniy. The most eastern populations of the species are located on the left bank of the river. Partisan between ss. Novitskoye and Vodopadnoe Partizansky district. Outside of Russia, it occurs in northeastern China and in the north of the Korea Peninsula (1, 3).
Peculiarities of ecology and phytocenology. Grows in dry and periodically dry oak forests, as well as in tree and shrub thickets on steep sunny (southern, southwestern and southeastern) rocky slopes facing vast flat spaces: wide river valleys, lake plains. Sometimes, under the same conditions, it forms almost pure groves surrounded by oak or pine forests, but such sites are very rare and occur in extremely limited areas, not exceeding 1-2 hectares. The upper limit of apricot distribution is limited by a height of 300-450 m above sea level. ur. m. (2,3,4). Xeromesophyte. Very light-loving. Heat-loving, but frost-resistant. Undemanding to the soil. Optional petrophyte.
Number. The number of apricot trunks usually does not exceed 100 copies. per 1 ha, less often - up to 200 or more (3). The state of the populations. Communities with Manchurian apricot are systematically affected by forest fires. Multiple fires lead to the formation of coppice trees and shrubs with a small participation of apricot. In recent years, the renewal of apricot occurs more often vegetatively (by shoots from a stump). Natural regeneration in all types of forest with the participation of the species can be considered insufficient. From immoderate grazing in some areas, the apricot has disappeared completely, in others it occurs singly, with severely mutilated shoots (3).
limiting factors. Decorative and fruity. Wild apricot populations are located in the most densely populated areas. Grazing and eating shoots by livestock, economic development of the territory, systematic forest fires. The resumption of apricot is prevented by mass eating of fruits by mouse-like rodents (2, 3). Trees are damaged by stem pests - borers (3).
Security measures taken. It was included in the Red Book of the RSFSR (1988). The species is included in the List of objects... listed in the Red Data Book of Primorsky Krai (2002). Protected in the Khankai, Ussuri and Lazovsky reserves (5-7), however, the populations of the species in them are small. The protection of the species is also carried out on the territory of botanical monuments of nature - Novogeorgievskaya and Chernyatinskaya apricot groves in the Oktyabrsky district (3,4,8).
Required security measures. Organization 00PT in the middle reaches of the river. Komissarovka of the Border District, in the environs. With. Vassianovka, Chernigov district, okrug. With. Krounovka, Ussuriysky district, as well as in 69 sq. Reshetnikovskoe forestry of the Border Forestry (3). Population control.
cultivation possibilities. Widely known in culture. Cultivated in 31 botanical gardens in Russia. It is used, although not enough, in landscaping in the Primorsky Territory.
Information sources. 1. Vorobyov, 1968; 2. Kurentsova, 1962, 1968, 1973; 3. Epifanova, 2004; 4. Krestov, Verkholat, 2003; 5. Belaya, Morozov, 1985; b. Barkalov V.Yu., personal communication; 7. Taran, 1990; 8. Seledets, 1993. Compiled by: S.V. Prokopenko.

Gardeners like the Manchurian apricot variety. These are unpretentious plants, characterized by undemanding care, resistance to frost and drought. The article describes step-by-step recommendations for planting a seedling in the ground, and also provides instructions for caring for the plant, which will ensure good growth and development.

Manchurian apricot variety

caring for the variety "Manchurian" you can get a bountiful harvest

apricot variety "Manchurian" tolerates drought and low temperatures well

Description of the Manchurian apricot

The Manchurian apricot belongs to the genus Plum. It is a tall tree that can grow up to 15 meters in height. The plant has filigree foliage and a lush crown, it throws out many shoots. The bark has a dark gray tint, cracking with deep furrows. During flowering, pink flowers appear, larger than 2 cm, grow singly or in groups on branches, pedicels are not long. There is abundant flowering every spring from April-May.

The leaves are characterized by a wide-oval, double-serrated shape, have pointed tops, their size reaches up to 12 cm. The fruits are medium-sized, about 2.5 cm in diameter, the skin is yellowish-orange.

A tree can easily grow from a fruit stone that can live for more than a hundred years.

Selection history

In the Chinese branch of the research center of the Russian Federation, scientists have been working on improving the Manchurian variety for a long time. The main task before the breeders was the creation of an ornamental apricot with signs of Japanese sakura for central Russia. It was possible to achieve the goal, as evidenced by the introduction of the plant in 2005 in the State Register. Scientists thought about fruiting last.

Variety characteristics

The Manchurian variety, which was used by I. V. Michurin as a rootstock for experiments, has striking differences in comparison with the species of the same name. Below are the detailed characteristics of the variety.

Drought and winter hardiness

This variety is easily able to endure severe frosts down to -30 degrees, thanks to its strong bark. An adult plant has a higher resistance to drought than a young tree. Every year, the roots of the plant penetrate deeper into the soil, independently extracting the moisture that a large tree needs.

Young trees during dry weather should be watered regularly.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

Flowering lasts for 12 days. In some regions, it begins in early April. In the northern regions, flowering occurs during the thaw period. Flowers are characterized by a color aroma, therefore they especially attract wasps and bees - pollinators of this variety.

Yield and fruiting

In early June, the Manchurian variety tree pleases gardeners with ripe but small fruits. Despite the fact that apricots are small, the yield is quite high. From one adult tree it is possible to collect about 250 kg of apricot. Fruiting begins in the 5th year after planting the seedling on the site.

Scope of fruits

Apricots of this variety have a specific taste, this is due to its decorative orientation. The fruits are characterized by a peculiar acidity and minimal bitterness, but this does not have any effect on the universal use of the fruit. It is permissible to consume apricots fresh, use them for making compotes, jams and marmalades.

Experienced cooks have got used to using even apricot kernels: they are fried, the taste turns out to be almond. Also, from the seeds it is possible to prepare delicious apricot oil, which turns out to be very fatty - the product is actively used in cosmetology.

Disease and pest resistance

This variety is a winter-hardy plant with increased resistance to fungal and viral infections. Insects are considered the main enemies of the Manchurian apricot, but they are easy to deal with by spraying.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Manchurian apricot has many advantages and practically no disadvantages. The positive qualities of this variety include the following points:

High yield. As they grow older, the number of fruits collected from one tree does not decrease.
Decorative bush. During flowering, this plant becomes a real decoration of the garden.
Good transportability. The fruits are characterized by resistance to mechanical damage, easily endure long-distance trips without losing their appearance and taste.
High immunity. The main feature of this variety is resistance to diseases and pests.
High index of keeping quality. Apricots can be stored for a long time, this will not affect their appearance in any way.
Resilience to climate change. The plant endures not only drought, but also severe frosts.

The disadvantages of the Manchurian variety include the peculiar taste of fruits, which not everyone likes.

Distribution and climate features

Manchurian apricot is a rare Red Book plant. It grows in China in the northeastern provinces, in the north of Korea, as well as in the vast southern territory of Primorsky Krai in Russia. This tree is able to tolerate both drought and low temperatures well. It likes a sufficient amount of light, but it is not demanding on soils: it can grow even on dry mountain slopes.

The Manchurian apricot has a large and branched root system, so it is good to plant it along water bodies to strengthen the coastline, as well as slopes to protect them from landslides.

Features of planting the Manchurian apricot

Growing a plant begins with planting a seedling. With the correct fulfillment of all requirements, the plant will take root quickly, ensuring its further development and growth. Gardeners need to know about the timing of planting, choosing a healthy seedling.

What time should you plant?

It is best to plant an apricot seedling at the end of April. During this period, the soil is well warmed by the sun's rays. It is undesirable to delay the planting, it is carried out until the fruit buds swell. It is permissible to plant a plant in the autumn period, but this should be done carefully so that winter frosts do not harm a fragile plant.

Site selection and preparation

To plant a Manchurian apricot seedling, choose a site in a well-lit area with aerated and lime-containing soil. Make sure that this area is not stagnant moisture and strong salinity. The most favorable place for the Manchurian variety is a site protected from the north wind. To avoid running cold air, do not choose places in the lowlands.

Creating a planting hole before planting an apricot will help ensure the proper development of the tree in the future. A large depression is made for planting, since the root system needs space. The minimum dimensions of the pit are 65x80 cm.

What can and cannot be planted nearby?

The best option for this variety would be a neighboring location with other apricots of other varieties. The Manchurian variety does not like to grow close to red rowan, walnut, cherry, plum, apple, pear.

How to choose and prepare a seedling?

Purchased apricot planting material in the spring should be strong and look healthy. Inspect the root system, it should not have any deformations. Seedlings aged 1 year are considered suitable for planting.

Seedling preparation consists in cutting off damaged roots and existing tears. Use a sharply sharpened garden knife. It is undesirable to prune those with cuts, as this may adversely affect the survival of the root system.

Avoid drying out the roots during transport and storage before planting in a permanent site. If the seedling is still dried up, water will help restore it - place the plant in water for 48 hours. A mixture of black soil and mullein will help prevent the roots from drying out - the root system of the seedling is dipped in it.

Step-by-step instructions for planting a Manchurian apricot

For proper planting of a seedling, follow the instructions below:

The day before planting, place the root in clean water.
Make a mixture by mixing the mullein with the clay to a creamy consistency. Briefly place the roots in the prepared composition.
Dry the roots.
Make a planting hole, deepening the soil according to the size of the root system, pour water.
Place the seedling in the center of the recess, gently straighten the root system.
The root neck should be 5 cm above the soil surface.
Cover the roots with earth, carefully tamp the soil.
Pour an earthen roller along the diameter of the pit, fix the seedling on a peg.
Water the plant with two buckets of water, level the roller.
Mulch the trunk circle with a layer of peat or humus.

apricot care

Caring for an apricot is not particularly difficult. Good plant development is ensured by observing important rules:

Watering. Spend it in a timely manner, especially in the first year after disembarkation. Water the plant once a week. When the plant gets stronger, you can water it only if the soil has dried up. Excessive moisture can cause many shoots to fail to fully develop before frost sets in, which is fraught with death.
Sanitary pruning. This procedure must be carried out every year. Timely remove dry, damaged and diseased branches, excess shoots. Prune apricots in early spring and fall. Read more about when and how to prune.
Top dressing. Feed the plant twice a year. Apply mineral compounds in the spring, and organic matter in the fall. In the summer, food is permissible to make only if there are signs of a deficiency of certain substances.

No less important procedures are loosening the near-stem circle and mulching, as well as liming the trunks, for which they use garden whitewash with the addition of copper sulfate - it protects against pests. For winter insulation, the trunk is insulated with a thick layer of mulch.

tree propagation

There are several ways to propagate the Manchurian apricot in your garden. To do this, use the bones or cuttings of trees.

From the bone

There are some features when breeding in this way. When planting seeds in the fall, the exact result of germination is unknown - it may not be at all, or it will be possible to get a high rate - up to 90%. This planting material is able to be stored in the soil, retaining its germination for years, and can wake up abruptly at any time.

How to carry out the procedure:

Pour water over the selected bones and get rid of those that float - this ensures the rejection of poor-quality material.
Then plant high-quality seeds to a depth of about 1 cm, preventing the root neck of the seedling from being underground and rotting.
Before planting, carry out a three-month stratification: keep the bones in a cold room at a temperature of about 0 degrees, after immersing them in a container with sand, without covering. This helps to further ensure good germination.

After planting and germination of seedlings, take good care of them: water, loosen the soil around, remove weeds, mulch. After two years, young seedlings can be planted in a permanent place.

cuttings

To propagate the tree by cuttings, prepare them in late June-early July, and plant out at the end of September. Proceed as follows:

To harvest planting material, cut a cutting from the most powerful and strong tree branches with 2-3 internodes, on which there are several leaves.
From above, cut off the cutting perpendicular to the growth of the trunk, about 1 cm above the kidney, and make a beveled incision from below.
Place the prepared cuttings in a container with a liquid growth stimulator and leave for 15 hours in a warm room at a temperature of at least 24 degrees Celsius.

Prepare a landing site in advance:

Make a small track of the required length, its depth should be 50x90 cm.
Lay a broken brick at the bottom of the track, and on top make a layer of river sand up to 5 cm high.
Next, lay a layer of soil mixture of sand, soil, manure and wood ash in the ratio (1:3:1:1.5).
Evenly distribute the mixture along the bottom of the track, compact and moisten with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Planting of seedlings should be such that the base slightly touches the layer of soil mixture at the bottom of the track.

Diseases and pests

Manchurian apricot is characterized by increased resistance to various diseases and pests. But occasionally, plants can be subject to diseases and insect attacks. The gardener needs to know what control measures to take:

Disease/Pest	signs	Treatment/Prevention
perforated spotting	A disease in which leaves and fruits suffer - reddish-brown spots form on them, which eventually turn into holes. Then the leaves begin to fall off, and the fruits become deformed.	For treatment, cut off the foci of the carrier of the infection and burn them. Disinfect wounds and cracks with garden putty using copper or iron sulphate. For prevention, in early spring and autumn, spray the plant with 5% Bordeaux liquid, after flowering - 1%.
Verticillosis	A harmful and insidious fungal disease that can be fatal. Manifested by rotting leaves from below.	The fight is based on treatment at an early stage. The best drugs for treating plants are Vitaros, Fundazol, Previkur, etc.
spider mite	A pest that lives on the underside of leaves. Reproduces quickly. Ticks quickly suck the juices out of the leaves, which causes them to turn brown, dry, and then fall off. This leads to a weakening of the entire plant.	To combat the tick, spray the plant with special preparations against ticks - acaricides.
cherry elephant	This is a small purple bug that feeds on buds, buds, flowers and ovaries of apricots. It can also harm fruits.	Treatment consists in shaking the tree and destroying the fallen pests. If there are a lot of bugs, it is recommended to spray the plant with a solution of karbofos or Inta-Vir.
Aphid	This is a pest that bites through tissue and sucks juice from young leaves. This leads to deformation of the leaves and shoots, as a result they dry out.	Insecticides are used to control aphids. The best are drugs such as Fitoverm and Fufanon.

Harvest time and storage conditions

The ripening period of apricots depends on the region of cultivation. The Manchurian variety begins to ripen at the end of July. If the storage conditions are observed, it will be possible to preserve the harvest of apricots for a long time. At a temperature of 20-23 degrees, fully ripe fruits are stored for several days. If the harvested fruits are not fully ripe, they will fully ripen in 2-3 days and will be suitable for consumption.

Storage of a large amount of the crop will be optimal in a cool room with an air temperature of 10-15 degrees and a humidity of 50-70%. It is recommended to wrap the fruits with parchment and carefully fold them into wooden boxes. So they can be stored for 7-20 days.

It is permissible to store apricots in the refrigerator at a temperature of about +0 degrees Celsius. In this case, they will not lose their appearance and taste for 2-4 weeks.

Application in landscape design

When planting these decorative fruit trees on their site, the gardener must decide on their purpose: they will act as a hedge, a single planting or a whole garden. Manchurian apricot trees decorate the courtyard and delight the eye with beautiful bright colors.

Since the flowers of the plant are painted in a soft pink shade, and their size is more than 2 cm, these are the very first honey plants that spread their aroma far beyond the gardens. During the fruiting period, the plants delight with bright greenery, among which small golden fruits in the form of lanterns can be seen. In autumn, the leaves turn blood red - they attract attention, they can decorate the facade of a building, gazebos or fences.

In green building, apricot trees can be planted along with other trees. They pair well with Manchurian birch, Mongolian oak, spruce and juniper.

"Apricot steps north" and was inspired. I decided, not yet realizing what a difficult task it was, to grow an apricot at all costs in my area, in the Moscow region - 80 km along Novoryazanskoye highway ...

Immediately ordered cuttings and bones. In addition, in the nursery "Sadko" I bought seedlings of varieties 'Favorite', 'Royal', 'Lel', 'Countess' selections by A. K. Skvortsov and L. A. Kramarenko. The next season was very successful. Vaccinations on cherry plum (on a trunk at a height of 80 cm) gave a huge increase. All 11 seeds sown on the garden bed (0.3 m high) sprouted and gave an increase of 1 - 1.2 m. Others waved 1.5 - 2 meters. In order to repeat the feat of Zhelezov in the Moscow region, I ordered cuttings of the variety 'Academician'. Zhelezov strongly recommends vaccinating seedlings apricot manchurian (Armenia With a mandshurica ). I had 11 of them.

Manchurian apricot.

I was going to plant adapted European varieties on them. But the results of the next wintering puzzled me a little - almost all the seedlings died and only three of them woke up buds near the soil itself. I transplanted them to a friend's plot on mounds, as Valery Konstantinovich requires. Graftings of European varieties also died. We were pleased only with the Skvortsov-Kramarenko varieties. Considering the powerful growth, I decided to use the advice from N. I. Kurdyumov's book “Shaping instead of pruning”, and carefully stretched their branches not horizontally, but at an angle of 55-65 degrees. It turned out to be a kind of vase. The trees grew very well again, at the beginning of summer I had to pinch the ends of the vertical shoots.

I really wanted to tame the apricot: in the winter I began to attend lectures at the MOIP, bought the book by Skvortsov and Kramarenko “Apricot in Moscow and the Moscow Region” and even met Larisa Andreevna herself. Having studied the book, I realized that I repeated many of the mistakes of my predecessors. After all, in the fall, I again sowed apricot pits from Khakassia and the Moscow region, which sprouted together. But the Far Eastern apricots in the Moscow region do not survive: they have a too short period of forced dormancy.

It was interesting to learn how apricots grow from other local gardeners. visited state farm named after Lenin(agronomist Lyudmila Anatolyevna), Arkady Sergeevich Deev near Kolomna, Alexander Kotelnitsky, y Ivan Dmitrievich Lukovnikov. With my own eyes I saw both flowering and fruiting of apricots near Moscow. Particularly impressive were the landings, which L. Kramarenko produced in monasteries, which, as a rule, are located on high places, have powerful stone walls, which creates a unique microclimate.

The trees are well-groomed, and therefore bear abundant fruit every year. Apricots feel good and bear fruit well in the garden located in the southeast of Moscow near Lyudmila Anatolyevna. I also saw ripe fruits in the garden of ID Lukovnikov, located in Kratovo on a former swamp surrounded by forest. There were very few of them. 5-7-year-old apricots are grafted onto plum and cherry plum, give an increase of 50-70 cm. Although flowering is always plentiful, few fruits are tied, and even then not every year. It looks like they are missing something.

Not at all suitable conditions for apricots A. Kotelnitsky. His garden is located in the east of the region. Spring comes two weeks later and autumn two weeks earlier than mine. But here's the paradox. My apricots are ruined by the temperature difference in the spring: it’s warm up to +10 and the buds on apricot and cherry plum wake up, swell, and then frost is -5 and below. The buds die, and then the whole tree. And in March, Sasha's daytime temperature is always 4-5 degrees lower than mine, the nighttime temperature is approximately the same. We decided that in his situation we should look for the earliest varieties that will have time to better prepare for the winter. However, early varieties wake up earlier than others. It must be said that Kotelnitsky knows the location of many wild apricots in Moscow and the region, which have grown from stones that were accidentally dropped. But they can do a good job in spreading this culture.

Apricots made the biggest impression on me A.S. Deeva- two huge ones, 5-6 meters high, with the same crown diameter, strewn with fruits, and under them there is a real carpet. Arkady Sergeevich says that in a bad year they give 9 buckets each, and in a good year they don’t even count after 15.

The fruits on these poles are beautiful, fragrant, juicy, tender, sweet-sour. Jam and compote from them is beyond praise.

Deev went to this for 20 years: he planted, planted, a lot fell out and he planted again. Finally, he received the first crop and sowed the seeds from it, and then sowed the seeds from the harvest of those seedlings. Thus, the current trees are already the third generation.

The seeds are sown immediately on the place where the tree grows. This greatly increases the apricot's chances of survival. Trees are not pruned in principle, only dry or broken branches are removed. This is probably why the fruits are not large, but there are a lot of them. It seems that this method of cultivation is ideal for the Moscow region: a hill of earth and rubble, sowing seeds of local varieties.

Let's summarize. The selfless work of A. K. Skvortsov and L. A. Kramarenko created worthy varieties that can grow and bear fruit in the Moscow region. Provided that a suitable place for it is chosen - high, sunny, protected from cold winds. Monasteries turned out to be an ideal place, where apricots are also guaranteed perfect care. Not every one of us will be able to provide our pets with a “monastic” microclimate, but everyone can take care of them no worse than monks.

I believe that the “defilement” of an apricot is even more difficult than the tasks that S. I. Isaev with an apple tree and S. T. Chizhov with a pear once solved in Moscow. Apple trees have been growing in Moscow gardens for centuries, and pears, at least some, have also been. Isaev purposefully crossed local reliable varieties with the elite of Europe and the Crimea, and thanks to his efforts, we had the opportunity to choose. Chizhov crossed the Ussuri pear with European varieties, and we finally got pears similar to the southern ones. But there were no apricots here, now we already have 14 varieties created by L. A. Kramarenko and her teacher A. K. Skvortsov. Larisa Andreevna is selflessly devoted to the cause: she is engaged in selection, cultivation of apricots, and its promotion to the north. Anyone who wants to grow an apricot here should definitely read her articles and books, attend her lectures at the MOIP, where you can get seeds from her hands and from each of them the one and only apricot tree can grow.

Despite the fact that I have so far had more failures than achievements, the years of working with apricots have not been in vain. I begin to understand this culture, its requirements, features. What do you need in order for you to “get” an apricot?

Firstly, suitable, as we have said, a place, high, protected. And it's not always possible to find such a place. And sometimes everything seems to fit, but does not grow together. For example, both for me and L.A. Kramarenko, apricot varieties from Khakassia live for 2-3 years and disappear. And on the site of my friend, they feel great for 5 years. Here is the paradox. I choose the warmest place, and there is a forest nearby, and in early spring from 11 am to 2 pm the apricots are in the shade. Maybe this just protects them from a premature start, and planting next to the house, near the southern wall, on the contrary, provokes early awakening of plants. Each area is different, with its own pros and cons. We must work persistently, not lowering our hands, observe, draw conclusions and gradually move forward.

Secondly. We take the seeds of varieties near Moscow and sow them on mounds of fertile soil mixed with crushed stone, 30-40 cm high. Why a mound? Because the seedlings of varieties near Moscow, which pleased me for two summers, died in the third year. And not from frost, they woke up early, but the ground remained frozen for a long time and the roots did not have time to connect in time. I have a weed in my garden.

I mow the grass and scatter it under the crowns of weakened or newly planted plants. Grass growing between the rows, in the case of "black", i.e. in the absence of frost, will protect the soil from excessive freezing and the root system of trees. But at the same time, under it, the earth warms up more slowly in the spring, and this, it turns out, is very dangerous.

From the same category is the most harmful advice, often found in the gardening press, to trample the snow under the trees in the spring, sprinkle sawdust there so that the trees wake up as late as possible and their flowers do not fall under the return frosts. It's just stupidity. Cut a branch from a tree in winter, put it in water in the house and it will immediately come to life in warmth, leaves and flowers will appear, but as soon as the supply of strength runs out, everything will end, the branch will wither. The same thing happened to me when the ground was deeply frozen. That is why it should be planted on a hill, which is freed from snow earlier and warms up quickly (because it is black). In this case, the stagnation of melt water is excluded, which leads to warming of the root neck, especially in apricot, cherry plum, felt cherry.

Third.If you decide to regraft an apricot, then it is best to graft it onto a seedling that is already growing in place. You can graft on cherry plum and plum, but it’s better on apricot, so as not to mess with the shoots, which other rootstocks have a lot of. After listening to other people's advice, I tried to graft on the turn. My experience has taught me, leaving no doubt that this should not be done: the turn affects the scion too much - the growing season is shifted, the fruits are smaller, their taste worsens. Plus the constant struggle with overgrowth. I refused it.

As a rootstock for apricot, I use plum and cherry plum seedlings. But I was convinced that it is best to plant apricot seedlings on seedlings. V. Zhelezov proves that this improves the taste and size of the fruit. Now I even plant plums and cherry plums on apricots.

Fourth.I vaccinate as low as possible. It is believed that at a height of 1.2 m the temperature is higher than at the level of the snow cover. But who knows how high the snow cover will be: 1 m or 20 cm. The vaccinations made high do not fall out because they freeze, but because they wake up early after the first spring thaws. I am friends with V.K. Zhelezov, he willingly shares his experience and annually sends me cuttings of his best varieties. However, not everything that perfectly bears fruit with him in the south of Siberia takes root with us. Some varieties of cherry plum, for example, may wake up in December if it is warm. They “think” that spring has come. It turns out that November frosts were enough for them to pass the dormant period. If the vaccinations are made below, then they are under the snow and their chances of surviving are much greater.

Fifth.I have seedlings in a low bed. I do not indulge in fertilizing or watering. I only water if there is no rain for a month. In May, I cover the soil with mowed grass with a layer of 8-10 cm, and in October with compost. From pests in early spring and autumn, when the leaves begin to fly around, I spray the trees with an 8% solution of urea (800 g per 10 liters). I try to use only biopreparations. To increase the immunity of plants, I give them Albit or an infusion of herbs.

More than once I have seen apricots near Moscow both in bloom, when thousands of bees are circling above them, and in fruits. I believe that soon, thanks to our efforts, such a spectacle will become familiar and the apricot will catch up with the grapes on the march to the north.

Irina MARAKHOVSKAYA, gardener-researcher, Moscow.

Manchurian apricot (lat. Prunus mandschurica)- fruit culture; member of the genus Plum in the Rosaceae family. In nature, it is found infrequently, mainly in Korea, China, Mongolia and in the Primorsky Territory of Russia. It is a rare species. Natural habitats are forests with a predominance of sepulchral pine, dry areas, lower reaches of rivers and rocky slopes. Average life expectancy is 100 years.

Characteristics of culture

Manchurian apricot is a deciduous tree up to 15 m high with a spreading openwork crown. The leaves are lanceolate-oval, ovate or broadly oval, rather large, glabrous, pointed at the ends, serrate along the edge, up to 12 cm long. The fruit is an oval or round orange-colored single-drupe, up to 4 cm in diameter, has a sour-sweet taste. The average weight of the fruit is 15-20 g. The Manchurian apricot is relatively frost-resistant, withstands frosts down to -30C. Flower buds are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and frost.

Varieties

Apricot Manchurian is the ancestor of the following varieties:
*Chelyabinsk Early- the variety is represented by medium-sized trees with a densely leafy crown and dark red shoots. The fruits are small, rounded, with a light brown, easily separated stone. The skin is yellow, covered with small dots. The pulp is loose, juicy, light orange, sweet. It is considered a universal variety. It is partially self-fertile, winter-hardy, drought-resistant, and cannot boast of high yields. Diseases and pests are extremely rare.

*Spicy- the variety is represented by medium-sized trees with a spreading densely leafy crown and dark red shoots. The fruits are round, small, weighing up to 17 g, with a brown, easily separated stone. The skin is yellow, with a dark red blush, velvety. The pulp is loose, light orange, sweet and sour, tart. The variety is winter-hardy, drought-resistant, practically not affected by pests and diseases. Bears fruit annually.

*Snezhinsky- the variety is represented by medium-sized trees with a spreading densely leafy crown and dark red shoots. The fruits are medium-sized, oval, weighing up to 25 g, with a round brown, easily separable stone. The skin is yellow, with a dark red punctate blush. The pulp is tender, juicy, light orange, sweet. The variety is partially self-fertile, winter-hardy, high-yielding, resistant to diseases and pests. Bears fruit annually.

*Uralets- the variety is represented by medium-sized trees with a spreading densely leafy crown and red shoots covered with lentils. The fruits are round, small, weighing up to 20 g, with an oval brown, easily separated stone. The skin is yellow, with a reddish punctate blush. The pulp is juicy, tender, loose, light orange, sweet. The variety is partially self-fertile, high-yielding, frost-resistant, drought-resistant, rarely affected by pests and diseases.

reproduction

Most often, the Manchurian apricot is propagated by planting seeds. The seeds of the culture remain viable for several years. The most effective autumn planting, germination in this case will be 50-90%. Before planting, the bones must be subjected to preliminary preparation. The bones are lowered into the water, those specimens that float up are removed, they are not suitable for planting. Stratification will also be helpful. Seed depth - 1 cm. Seedlings that appear next spring need careful care. After 2 years, young plants are transplanted to a permanent place.

Application

The fruits of the Manchurian apricot are used to make compotes, jams and conserves, and are also consumed fresh. The culture is often used in ornamental gardening to create hedges and cultivate bald southern slopes. Apricots are especially good in alliance with cherries, apples and plums.

Ornamental trees and shrubs are the main decoration of any garden. They have not only a beautiful appearance, but also can bear delicious fruits. Recently, the Manchurian apricot is gaining popularity.

Apricot variety Manchurian has recently been gaining more and more popularity.

During its flowering, it begins to form large delicate pink flowers that attract the attention of others and delight the eye.

General information about the variety

Apricot Manchurian was bred in the Chinese branch of the research center of the Russian Federation. Experts have long wanted to create a variety that would look like Japanese sakura.

In early 2005, this species was included in the State Register.

It is suitable for cultivation not only in the eastern part of China or the Far East, thanks to its excellent weather resistance it can grow even in Siberia. It is used to decorate not only garden plots. The plant has a powerful root system, it is customary to plant it near water bodies to strengthen the coastal system.

Tree Features

The description indicates that the Manchurian apricot has a fairly tall trunk. Its height reaches 18 m, and the diameter of the trunk itself is 50 cm. The color of the bark is dark brown. It is recommended to tie branches. The leaves are large, up to 12 cm long, having an oval shape. In autumn, the leaves can turn red and do not fall off until frost.

Apricot Manchurian has pink flowers. It is believed that they collect the earliest harvest of honey. Their main feature is that their aroma resembles the smell of honey. The flowers are small in size, their diameter is 2.5 cm. They are located on the stem of a small height and can be grouped into inflorescences. Apricot blossom occurs every year and is observed in early April.

Fetal parameters

When considering the description and characteristics of the variety, it can be noted:

the fruit is oval, slightly flattened at the edges;
the size reaches a length of 4-5 cm;
weight is 20 g;
the surface of the fruit is rough;
light orange color.

Fruit ripening occurs in early July. Their taste is sour, so they may be slightly inferior in sweetness to their counterparts from the southern regions. From them prepare jam, jams and compotes.

The fruits of the Manchurian variety are used to make jam

Positive and negative qualities

The description indicates that the Manchurian apricot has the following positive qualities:

The disadvantage is the taste of the fruit is sour with notes of bitterness. Many try to avoid planting this crop on their plots, but most grow the plant for beauty.

Planting Rules

To a greater extent, apricot trees are planted using the inner stone. The Manchurian variety was no exception. Bones can retain their qualities throughout the year. If you plant a seed in the fall, then next year it will give a young plant with a 90% probability. It is advised to place the bones in a bowl of water. Those that pop up can be thrown away.

Planting material should be placed in the soil to a depth of at least 1.5 cm. After a few years, the resulting seedling can be transplanted to a permanent place of cultivation.

care requirements

The plant does not require special care. Timely watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds and mulching are important.

Watering is important only in the first year after planting. It should be done every 5-6 days. After the plant is fully formed, watering should be carried out as the soil dries. A large amount of moisture in the root system can lead to the fact that shoots cannot form in time and die during winter frosts.
The choice of soil is optional, because this variety is able to show high yields in any type of soil. You just need to choose those areas for planting with a lot of sunlight.
If you notice that groundwater is very close to the root system, you should install a drainage system. It is ideal to use a large layer of gravel to prevent water from reaching the roots.
The plant needs to remove old dry or diseased branches. This is necessary so that healthy shoots form and receive the necessary amount of nutrients.

Manchurian apricot needs periodic removal of old, dry and diseased branches

Diseases and pests

You can get rid of the spider mite with the help of special insecticides "Regent" or "Taboo". You can fight the cherry elephant with a manganese solution. Aphids are removed with copper-containing preparations.

Of the diseases, verticellosis and spotting are considered the main enemies. To permanently get rid of verticillosis, you can use a soapy solution. It is realistic to fight spotting with the help of the Hom preparation.

Conclusion

The tree does not begin to bear fruit immediately, but only 5 years after planting. The variety has received many favorable reviews and is recommended for cultivation.