Apricot Black Velvet

Apricot Black Velvet
The main characteristics of the variety:
  • Authors: Eremin Gennady Viktorovich, Isachkin Alexander Viktorovich
  • Name synonyms: Black apricot
  • Year of approval: 2006
  • Tree height, m: 3
  • Flowers: large, white or pale pink
  • Fruit weight, g: 30
  • Skin : pubescent, solid, thin
  • Fruit color: dark purple
  • Pulp color : yellow, pink at the skin
  • Pulp (consistency): medium, juicy
View all specifications

Some fruits and vegetables are able to surprise not only with their taste, but also with their unusual appearance. Apricots of the Black Velvet variety are among them. Dark, almost black skin, pinkish flesh. And, importantly, all this complements the pleasant taste. Unfortunately, you cannot see this variety on store shelves everywhere and not always.

But for gardeners, this is not a problem. Black velvet thrives on home gardens in most regions.

Breeding history

A breeding variety created in 1994 in Crimea by G.V. Eremin and A.V. Isachkin. It appeared as a result of crossing American black apricot and cherry plum. In 2005, Black Velvet was entered into the State Register.

Description of the variety

A short tree with a spreading, medium density, rounded crown and bright green medium-sized leaves, pointed at the tips. The flowers are large, pale pink or white.

Fruit characteristics

In size, the fruits are a cross between cherry plum and apricot. Their average weight is 25-30 g. The shape of the fruit is round-oval. They have a black-purple pubescent, velvety skin. Unripe apricots are greenish, they begin to darken closer to the moment of ripening. The stone is small, but it is difficult to separate from the yellow-red pulp.

Taste qualities

Apricots of this variety are juicy, sweet, but with a noticeable sourness. The aroma is pleasant, light. Suitable for both fresh consumption and canning.

Ripening and fruiting

Black Velvet trees grow slowly, adding about 15 cm per season. Apricot begins to bear fruit in the 3-4th year after planting. The fruits reach maturity in July, towards the end of the month. In the northern regions, the deadline is shifted to August.

When planting an apricot tree on your site, you need to know about the features of its fruiting. The apricot begins fruiting at the age of two to four years after planting in a permanent place in the garden and bears fruit steadily up to 25-30 years. The tree's yield peaks at the age of five to six years.

Yield

One tree gives at least 50 kg of fruit per season. The crop is highly transportable, and can be stored under proper conditions for about 3 months.

Conditions for long-term storage:

  • fruits should be harvested a little earlier than they reach maturity;

  • they should be placed in boxes in no more than 3 rows;

  • the storage room must be well ventilated.

Growing regions

The variety has been zoned in the North Caucasian region, but it also feels good in the middle lane. The only subtlety is that in regions with a cool, unstable climate, it is better to form trees without a trunk or like bushes.

Self-fertility and the need for pollinators

Partially self-fertile. To achieve a high yield, pollinating trees, for example, plum or cherry plum, must grow nearby.

Growing and caring

In order for the apricot to feel good and to please with fruits, a number of conditions must be observed from the moment of purchase of the seedling.

It is best to buy seedlings in the fall. These should be annual or biennial specimens with a strong root system.

In winter, until planting, it should be stored in a room with a temperature of + 1 ... 5 ° C. The roots must be dipped in a clay and mullein composition (1: 1), wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in an incompletely closed bag.

Pick up times will vary by region. Most often it is spring, when the earth has already begun to warm up, but sap flow has not yet begun in plants.

The dimensions of the landing pit are 80 cm in diameter and 80 in depth.

Before planting, the soil is fertilized in advance, even in the fall, with a nutrient mixture consisting of:

  • topsoil;

  • a couple of liters of ash;

  • 3 buckets of humus;

  • 300 g superphosphate.

If it was not possible to prepare the place in advance, then immediately before planting, 20-25 g of potassium chloride and 35 g of superphosphate should be added to the soil.

In the hole, you need to make a small mound and place the roots of the seedling on it. Spread them out. Cover with earth.

The root collar should be deepened into the ground by 4 cm (by 11 - in sandy loam soils). The grafting site should remain 5 cm above the soil.

The land around and the seedling itself must be watered abundantly, as well as mulched.

It is advisable to cut the seedling, leaving 70 cm and 5 growth buds.

The variety does not require any complex care. The main thing to pay attention to is watering. Black velvet does not tolerate dry weather well. He needs 2-3 buckets of water every couple of weeks. Increase watering by the fruiting period.

Fertilizing the plant should be started in the 5th year of life. In the spring, nitrogen-containing compounds are introduced, later, at the beginning of June, potash compounds. Phosphates are used in October.

It is also worth paying attention to tree pruning. In the first 5 years, the shape of the crown is fixed:

  • in the second year of life, in the spring - pruning 5 cm from the trunk of all branches;

  • in the future - summer and autumn pruning.

Sections need to be processed with garden pitch.

In order for an apricot tree to take root well in a new place, it is necessary to study in advance all the subtleties of its correct planting. Depending on the climate in the region, you need to choose the optimal time for planting a seedling. Determine the location, properly prepare the landing pit.
Grafting is the main method of reproduction of the apricot tree, which allows you to preserve all the varietal qualities of the fruits, increase the yield and give the fruit crop additional properties, such as frost resistance and drought resistance. It is necessary to correctly determine the timing of vaccination and correctly choose the stock.
Annual pruning of apricot is necessary for the correct formation of the crown of a young seedling, rejuvenation of old trees and preservation of the yield and quality of the fruit. Regular pruning is carried out not only in spring and autumn, but also in summer.

Disease and pest resistance

The plant has strong immunity and is resistant to most fungal diseases.

Unfortunately, the picture with pests is not so rosy. Several insects can spoil the life of the variety.

  • Gall midge ocular. You can fight it by using chemicals, collecting and destroying damaged parts.

  • The moth was stripping. It is being liquidated by Karbofos. For prevention, butterfly traps are used.

  • The leafworm is shy. You can fight "Fufanon" or "Karbofos".

Like other fruit crops, apricots often suffer from various diseases and pests. It is necessary to periodically inspect the apricot tree in order to notice a disease or the appearance of a pest in time, promptly intervene and eliminate the problem.

Winter hardiness and the need for shelter

One of the key advantages of the variety in question is its frost resistance. Flowers do not fall off during frost, and yields even increase, according to gardeners. However, this property cannot be abused, and it is still better to cover the tree for the winter.

Location and soil requirements

Planting Black Velvet should be on the south side, in a lighted, not flooded and not ventilated place. It is strictly forbidden to plant in lowlands and areas with abundant groundwater. Best of all, if it is not a steep slope.

The soil should be loose, with moderate acidity. Sandy soil and loam will not work for the variety.

Review overview

Most gardeners are happy to have opted for this particular variety of black apricot. They note its serviceable fruiting, even in rather harsh conditions. However, there can be problems with the harvest if there are not enough pollinating trees nearby.

Taste sensations from the fruits are called "unexpected" and "interesting", saying that at first this apricot can even be confused with cherry plum. Fruits are often consumed directly from the branch, but they note that compotes and jams from these apricots are quite worthy.

Of the shortcomings, the very small size of apricots is most often called.

If this does not bother you, and plums, cherry plums or apricots of other varieties are already growing on the site, then Black Velvet will be an excellent addition and decoration of the garden collection. Unpretentious in care, possessing beautiful and tasty fruits, it is able to please even a sophisticated amateur gardener.

Main characteristics
Authors
Eremin Gennady Viktorovich, Isachkin Alexander Viktorovich
Name synonyms
Black apricot
Year of approval
2006
Appointment
universal
Yield
average
Transportability
good
Wood
Growth type
medium-sized
Tree height, m
3
Crown
flat-round, medium density
Flowers
large, white or pale pink
Leaves
bright green, elongated
Fruit
Fruit size
average
Fruit weight, g
30
Fruit color
dark purple
Skin
pubescent, solid, thin
Abdominal suture
barely noticeable, weak
Pulp color
yellow, pink at the skin
Pulp (consistency)
medium density, juicy
Fruit taste
sweet and sour, very good
Bone size
average
Separability of the bone from the pulp
good
Growing
Self-fertility
partially self-fertile
Winter hardiness
high
Drought tolerance
average
Watering
moderate
Location
protected, well-lit areas
Growing regions
North Caucasian
Disease and pest resistance
relatively stable
Resistance to moniliosis
steady
Clasterosporium resistance
steady
Maturation
Early maturity
3-4 years after planting
Ripening terms
average
Fruiting period
end of july
Reviews
There are no reviews.
Popular varieties of apricot
Apricot Academician Academician Apricot Alyosha Alyosha Apricot Cupid Amur Apricot Pineapple Pineapple Apricot Aquarius Aquarius Apricot Countess Countess Apricot Dessert Dessert Apricot Zhigulevsky souvenir Zhigulevsky souvenir Apricot Kichiginsky Kichiginsky Apricot Royal Royal Apricot Red Cheeked Red-cheeked Apricot Lel Lel Apricot Favorite Favorite Apricot Manchurian Manchurian Apricot Honey Honey Apricot Moscow Moskovsky Apricot Rattle Rattle Apricot Russian Russian Apricot Saratov Ruby Saratov ruby Apricot Sibiryak Baikalova Sibiryak Baikalova Apricot Snegirek Snegirek Apricot Son of Red-cheeked Son of Red-cheeked Apricot Triumph north Northern triumph Apricot Ulyanikhinsky Ulyanikhinsky Apricot Favorite Favorite Apricot Khabarovsk Khabarovsk Apricot Royal Tsarsky Apricot Champion of the North Champion of the North Apricot Black Velvet Black velvet Apricot Black Prince Black Prince
All varieties of apricot - 62 pcs.
Other cultures
Apricot varieties Apricot varieties Cherry plum varieties Cherry plum varieties Eggplant varieties Eggplant varieties Grape varieties Grape varieties Cherry varieties Cherry varieties Blueberry varieties Blueberry varieties Pea varieties Pea varieties Pear varieties Pear varieties Blackberry varieties Blackberry varieties Honeysuckle varieties Honeysuckle varieties Strawberry (strawberry) varieties Strawberry (strawberry) varieties Zucchini varieties Zucchini varieties Cabbage varieties Cabbage varieties Potato varieties Potato varieties Gooseberry varieties Gooseberry varieties Onion varieties Onion varieties Raspberry varieties Raspberry varieties Carrot varieties Carrot varieties Cucumber varieties Cucumber varieties Peach varieties Peach varieties Pepper varieties Pepper varieties Parsley varieties Parsley varieties Radish varieties Radish varieties Rose varieties Rose varieties Beet varieties Beet varieties Plum varieties Plum varieties Currant varieties Currant varieties Tomato varieties Tomato varieties Pumpkin varieties Pumpkin varieties Dill varieties Dill varieties Cauliflower varieties Cauliflower varieties Cherry varieties Cherry varieties Garlic varieties Garlic varieties Apple varieties Apple varieties

Kitchen

Bedroom

Furniture