- Name synonyms: Loiko-2
- Growth type: medium-sized
- Ripening period: early maturing
- Self-fertility: self-fertile
- Appointment: for fresh consumption, for canning, for making juices
- Bone size: medium
- Separability of the bone from the pulp: not separable
- Winter hardiness: -31.7 ° C to -34.4 ° C
- Fruit weight, g: 110-130
- Fruit color: pale yellow, greenish-yellow in unripe fruits, on the sunny side with a beautiful carmine-red blush
For those who grow exclusively proven and reliable varieties in the country, it is worth taking a closer look at the peach culture with the unusual name Loiko-2 of the Belarusian selection, which is characterized by simple agricultural technology and abundant yields.
Description of the variety
Loiko-2 is a medium-sized tree, endowed with good spreading of branches of a brown-olive color, strong thickening of bright green drooping foliage with a shiny coating, a developed root system and a neat rounded crown. As a rule, the Loiko-2 peach tree grows up to 2.5-3 meters in height.
Blossoming at the tree earlier - the first week of May. At this time, the dense crown is abundantly covered with large light flowers, pleasantly fragrant.
Fruit characteristics
The Belarusian peach is a tasty representative of the class of medium-fruited species. The average fruit weight is 110-130 grams. The shape of the fruit is correct - round, with a velvety surface. At the stage of technical maturity, the fruit is covered with a greenish-yellow color. Ripe fruits are characterized by a bright and unusual color - the light yellow surface is diluted with a carmine-red blush, which occupies almost half of the fruit surface. The peel of the fruit is thin, not hard, with a pronounced edge. The abdominal suture on the surface is poorly expressed.
The fruits are intended not only for fresh consumption, but also for canning, processing into jams, marmalades, compotes, and use in cooking. The harvested peaches are easily transported over long distances and are also stored for a week. The softening of the fruit is slow.
Taste qualities
Loiko-2 peach has a memorable taste. The greenish-yellow pulp is endowed with a fleshy, tender, slightly loose and fibrous consistency. The taste is dominated by bright sweetness, harmoniously combined with piquant sourness and an abundance of thick juice. A small bone practically does not separate from the pulp of the fruit. The fruit has a classic peach aroma - light but pleasant.
Ripening and fruiting
Loiko-2 is a crop with early fruiting dates. The tree begins to bear fruit in the 3-4th year after planting a one-year seedling. The phase of active fruit ripening begins in mid-July. The tree's maximum fruiting period lasts for 7-8 years. Yields a peach harvest annually and consistently, without missing.
Yield
The peach variety has a good yield, growing gradually as the tree matures. In the first few fruitful years after planting, a moderate yield is observed - 20-25 kg of fruit, but after years the figures increase.
Self-fertility and the need for pollinators
The variety is self-fertile (more than 60%), so there is no need to plant donor trees with similar flowering times. Sometimes the planting of pollinating trees is carried out only to increase yields by 20-40%. In addition, the tree attracts a huge number of bees, which also contributes to pollination.
Growing and care
Planting trees can be carried out both in the spring (before the onset of the growing season) and in the fall (a month before the constant frosts).It is optimal to purchase two-year-old seedlings with a developed root system. Planting is carried out on a clean and level area, in the southern side of the garden, where there is protection from drafts (buildings, fences).
Intensive agricultural technology of the Belarusian peach consists of a number of activities: watering (3-4 times - during flowering, pouring fruits and during autumn digging), applying dressings three times per season, crown formation, removal of dry and damaged branches, regular thinning, normalization of excess ovary, disease prevention, fluffing and mulching of the near-stem zone, as well as preparation for winter.
Frost resistance and the need for shelter
The variety has the highest frost resistance, so the culture can easily overcome temperature drops to -35 degrees. Shelter will only be needed in the northern regions, where almost all fruit trees are insulated with burlap or agrofibre. No shelter is needed in the southern and central regions.
Disease and pest resistance
Due to its high immunity, the tree is extremely rarely exposed to diseases (monilial burn, clasterosporium disease, curly leaves, powdery mildew) and pest infestation. As a protection, preventive spraying / treatment should be carried out periodically.
Requirements for soil and climatic conditions
Belarusian peach is moisture-loving, adores the sun, warmth and light, and also easily tolerates drought. The ideal soil for wood is considered to be medium-carbonate loams - fertile, fluffy, moist, breathable. It is important that the passage of groundwater is deep, since the rhizome of the tree does not react well to stagnant moisture.