- Authors: L.M. Ulyanikhin
- Appeared when crossing: (Comrade x Sacer) x Red-cheeked
- Year of approval: 2004
- Tree height, m: 3–4
- Escapes: vertically directed, straight, reddish brown
- Fruit weight, g: 26,4-33
- Fruit shape: oval-round
- Skin : medium density, velvety pubescent
- Fruit color: yellow with reddish blurred and dotted blush
- Pulp color : Orange
Apricot is one of the most beloved summer fruits. Many summer residents prefer to grow early varieties in order to harvest faster and enjoy vitamin fruits. Ulyanikhinsky apricot can become a wonderful early variety. We will analyze its characteristics in this article.
Breeding history
The name of the variety is due to the surname of the breeder who bred it. It was L. M. Ulyanikhin. The variety appeared due to the crossing of varieties such as:
- Comrade;
- Sacer;
- Red-cheeked.
Ulyanikhinsky apricot has met all the expectations of gardeners. The breeder who worked on it managed to breed a crop with a high level of yield, frost resistance and immunity.
Description of the variety
Consider the main varietal features of the plant:
- the tree has an increased growth rate;
- grows up to 3-4 meters;
- has a wide-round spreading crown of moderate density;
- reddish-brown shoots are upright;
- lentils are colored light gray, and there are quite a few of them;
- buds are small, brown, conical, loosely adjoining the shoots;
- leaves are broadly ovate, with a sharp top, bright green;
- the flowers grow one at a time, each has five large oval white petals;
- flowering of the tree occurs before the foliage begins to bloom;
- fruits are formed on branches of a bouquet type, as well as on shoots left over from the last season.
Fruit characteristics
Continuing the review of the variety is appropriate for the characteristics of its fruits:
- apricots are small in size;
- weight ranges from 26.4 to 33 grams;
- fruits have an oval-round configuration;
- the predominant color is yellow, however, the surface is abundantly covered with a point and blurred blush;
- the stalk is dense, in this variety it is short;
- the skin is medium in density, covered with a pleasant velvet fluff;
- the pulp is particularly tender and juicy, it is orange in color;
- the separation of the stone from the apricot pulp is easy;
- fruits perfectly retain their appearance and taste during storage, however, they can crumble when overripe, and this must be taken into account when growing.
Taste qualities
A taste score of 4 points indicates that the variety is quite pleasant to use. The fruits are sour-sweet, the taste is balanced. The pulp has a delicate apricot aroma, characteristic of most early varieties of the crop. You can use the harvested crop both fresh and in cooking. Excellent transportability allows gardeners to sell the surplus left after harvest without any problems. An additional bonus to the taste is the beautiful appearance of the fruit.
Ripening and fruiting
The early maturity of the Ulyanikhinsky variety is one of its main advantages. Trees bloom and form fruits already in the third year of life. In April or May, the tree is covered with spectacular flowers and looks very decorative. Then the flowers are replaced by fruits.Gardeners will have to collect them in the third decade of July. Ripe apricots are removed immediately, not allowing them to remain on the branches.
Yield
In most cases, the total collection from trees growing on a hectare of land is 255.8 centners. However, in some years the figures can be significantly higher. Tree care and the climate of the growing region also play an important role.
Growing regions
Taking into account the characteristics of the variety, it is customary to cultivate it in the Central Black Earth Region.
Self-fertility and the need for pollinators
The Ulyanikhinsky apricot is completely self-fertile, so pollinators are planted around it solely for the purpose of increasing yields.
Growing and care
Ulyanikhinsky is planted on the site at the age of one year. Planting activities can be carried out both in autumn and in summer, here the climate must be taken into account.
In the first year, the trees of the variety will need increased care. Irrigation must be treated with responsibility. It is carried out in the evening, and the water should be warm. Young trees will have to be watered 1-2 times every 14 days, but when the tree matures, it will no longer need moisture so much. Mature trees can be irrigated several times per season, naturally, under normal weather conditions.
The apricot crown of the described variety must be pruned. At the same time, the tree does not experience any stress. During the procedure, gardeners need to remove branches that have frozen or dried up over the winter. If there are branches affected by pests or diseases, they are cut off first. Those that are intertwined and have an acute angle of growth should also be removed. To prevent the development of rot in the place of cuts, pruning is carried out in the "ring" method.
From the fourth year, they begin to saturate the soil under the tree with top dressing. The main nutrients are introduced in autumn and spring. These should be complex mineral compositions. In order not to combine fertilizers yourself, you can contact gardening stores. They sell fertilizers for fruit trees, which contain all the necessary components. Once every few years, the soil is fertilized with organic compounds, for example, compost or humus. It is necessary to make such dressings in the fall.
Disease and pest resistance
Ulyanikhinsky was originally bred with a very high immunity. Therefore, fungi or viruses, the culture is affected in extreme cases. The same applies to pests.
Preventive spraying with fungicides and insecticides should be carried out in the following cases:
- spring and summer promise to be rainy;
- last year there were cases of any disease;
- nearby crops grow that are susceptible to all kinds of ailments and pests.
In other situations, complex care will be sufficient, as well as cleaning the near-trunk area from weeds.
Winter hardiness and the need for shelter
Ulyanikhinsky does not particularly suffer from the cold. He easily survives severe frosts, but only if properly prepared.
So, young plants must be covered in any case. Their upper part is necessarily wrapped in burlap. Trees, both young and fruitful, are provided with moisture-replenishing watering before winter. The trunk circle is sprinkled with coniferous needles.
The snow that appears in winter is shoveled into a heap, forming dense snowdrifts around the trees. This simple measure creates warmth for the roots and protects the stems from the effects of mice and rats.
Location and soil requirements
In order for the Ulyanikhinsky apricot to feel as comfortable as possible, it must be planted in the right place. A lighted area, isolated from the wind, will be required. The latter is extremely dangerous for this variety, since in a strong wind the tree loses all ovaries without forming fruits. The distance from buildings located on the site should be at least 4 meters, since the crown is well distributed with growth.
The land is needed loose, saturated with an abundance of nutrients. May be slightly alkaline or low in acidity. Heavy clay soil is not allowed. If the site is exactly like this, a full bucket of sand is added per square meter. But completely sandy soils will not be useful either. Apricot does not grow on swampy land.