Apricot Favorite

Favorite - a variety of apricots of Russian selection, universal purpose. It is considered one of the best for growing in the Moscow region. Trees successfully endure the coldest winters, delight with abundant harvests and excellent taste of fruits.

The variety was bred by L. A. Kramarenko, a specialist of the Main Botanical Garden. Approved for use in 2004.

The trees are medium-sized, up to 3-4 m high, with a raised, sparse crown of a paniculate type. Adult apricots are sprawling, with branched shoots, painted in dark red. The leaves are ovate, large, dark green, shiny. Fruiting occurs on all types of shoots; during the flowering period, the branches are decorated with white buds with medium-sized petals.

Large fruits with a small, well-detachable pit have an excellent appearance. The average fruit weight is about 30 g. The shape of the apricots is round, with a slightly uneven surface. The skin of the fruit is shiny, slightly pubescent, colored in a juicy orange color with a bright, noticeable blush.

The pulp is dense inside, cartilaginous. Colored bright orange. The fruits have good keeping quality, are well stored for a long time, do not crumple during transportation.

The fruits are sweet-sour, juicy, with a rich aroma. The tasting score of the fruit reaches 5 points, very high.

Apricots from Favorit trees are harvested annually. The first fruiting occurs 3-4 years after grafting. In terms of ripening, the variety is late. The fruits ripen in the 2nd half of September.

The variety gives an average of 30 t / ha. According to the assessment, the yield is considered average. About 20 kg of ripe fruits are removed from a young tree.

The favorite is recommended for cultivation in the Central region. Has successfully passed the test by the climate of the Moscow region.

The favorite is the self-fertile apricot. It does not require mandatory cross-pollination, a bountiful harvest can be obtained even in the absence of other trees of this species on the site. But it will be useful for him to have a number of apricots of the varieties Lel, Tsarsky or others that bloom in May. With them, fruiting will be more abundant, the taste of apricots will improve.

When planting an apricot Favorite, you should retreat at least 4 m from the nearest buildings and beds. This will avoid shading them. Plants in the first years of life will benefit from protection from the north leeward side. This can be a temporary fence or a permanent fence. The trees are planted in the spring, before the sap begins to flow.

The basis for caring for young apricots is rare but abundant watering. It is carried out no more than 3-4 times a year, with the soil moistened to a depth of at least 30 cm. The first time the procedure is performed during flowering or immediately after it. Then in early summer and at the end of the harvest. The last, water-charging watering is necessary for plants in the pre-winter period.

Spring pruning will also be useful for young trees. In autumn, it is undesirable to carry out it because of the high risks of weakening the plant, depleting its supply of vitality. 1 year after planting, all branches are removed from the tree at a height of less than 90 cm from the ground. Then the central conductor is isolated, the remaining branches are cut along the cambial ring to the base, forcing 1 tier.

In subsequent years, a 2nd level of the crown is created. In the future, pruning will be more sanitary in nature. With a slowdown in the formation of growth (less than 150 mm per year), the crown is rejuvenated, greatly thinning it.

Organic apricots need a small amount. Humus and compost are applied under the root once every 3-4 years, 5 kg per 1 m2 of area. Mineral dressing will be needed annually.

The favorite is not very well protected from disease. He has an average resistance to clasterosporium disease. If affected by this disease, also known as perforated spotting, it is necessary to carry out a fungicidal treatment. Aphid trees are affected in volume up to 1%.

The variety is winter-hardy. In the main climatic zone, no shelter is needed. Flower buds may suffer slightly from recurrent frost.

This variety of apricots is recommended for planting in sheltered, well-lit areas with light, fertile soil. Wet areas with close groundwater are not suitable. The soil is preferable with a loose structure in which moisture does not stagnate.

When choosing a location, you should give preference to the southern borders of the site. It is desirable to have a hill; you can also make an embankment yourself. On clean sand and clay, not irrigated chernozem, yields will be scarce.

Summer residents give the apricot Favorite the highest marks. The taste of the fruit is regularly received with rapturous comments. Due to their attractive appearance, the variety is also considered commercially promising. The bright color of the pulp and the fruits themselves are especially attractive for conservation and drying. Ready-made jam, jam, compote and dried apricots are excellent in color.

Among other obvious advantages of the variety, summer residents note its drought resistance and general unpretentiousness. A quick start to fruiting is also considered a great advantage. Gardeners note that a thin crown lets in a lot of sunlight, which accelerates the ripening of apricots.The low height of the tree makes harvesting easy.

The negative aspects of growing this variety include a weak crown recovery after freezing. Winter hardiness of trees in the climate of Moscow and Moscow region raises some doubts. As well as strong wind, seedlings can be broken. Their resistance to such effects is very low. With the early arrival of autumn cold weather, the fruits do not have time to ripen on the branches.