Many fruit and berry crops are cross-pollinating. To produce fruit, they require pollen from plants of another variety, transported by pollinating insects such as bumblebees, bees, beetles and even butterflies.
When plants self-pollinate in natural natural environment the offspring often comes out weak and infertile. This explains the fact that pollination with one’s own pollen is extremely rare in the plant world.
Self-fertility - what does that mean?
Apricot variety "Voronezh aromatic"
Self-fertility (or autofertility) is the ability of plants to bear fruit effectively as a result of self-pollination. Such crops can produce fruit without cross-pollination, being content with their own pollen.
Autofertility fruit plants significantly facilitates the work of the gardener, who is forced to look for pollinators for self-sterile species and plant them in the garden, achieving cross-pollination.
Note: self-fertile varieties do not depend on meteorological conditions, the presence of bumblebees and bees.
Self-fertility is considered by the number of ovaries formed during artificial pollination of flowers with pollen of the same species, since insects move pollen from different pollinators in the garden.
Such studies make it possible to identify self-fertile crops that do not require pollinators. However, pollen is too heavy to be moved by wind, so pollination requires the presence of insects.
Apricot variety "Dessert"
IN last years cases of infertility have become more frequent flowering plants due to weather conditions or diseases that interfere with the active life of bees and bumblebees.
Intensive fruiting can be achieved in the absence of conditions for pollination by breeding self-fertile varieties that pollinate without insects or produce special parthenocarpic fruits, i.e. having the ability to form fruits without pollination. Breeding such varieties is considered an important breeding mission.
Autofertility makes the plant independent of weather conditions and facilitates the collection of a stable, rich harvest. This quality is especially valued in areas characterized by negative weather conditions for pollination, which are observed during the flowering period of gardens.
Unwanted weather factors such as rain, cold, wind, as well as the lack of flying insects prevent effective pollination and the appearance of the ovary. Self-fertile varieties do not depend on bad weather or the presence of nearby pollinators, this is their advantage.
Apricot variety "Gift"
Apricots have self-fertile varieties; there are self-fertile ones, but there are not many of them.
Autofertile varieties can be planted in masses. In order to increase productivity, it is allowed to plant pollinators among them, however, their own pollen is sufficient for fertilization.
Pollen activity and fruit formation are affected by air temperature. Low temperature reduces the intensity of fruit set; it takes several days for pollen grains to germinate and pollen tubes to enlarge. In warm, favorable weather, these processes occur within one daylight hours.
Autofertile varieties
Apricot variety "Northern Triumph"
Autofertile apricot varieties include:
- Northern Triumph- excellent for the central part of the country and northern regions, resistant to spring frosts. The fruits ripen in mid-summer. The variety is considered one of the most prolific, from one tree at favorable conditions you can get up to 50 kg of apricots;
- Present- This is a winter-hardy variety, with great bud resistance to spring frosts. Brings a rich harvest every year. Fruit small size, very tasty;
- Dessert- is considered one of the excellent northern varieties, in taste no worse than southern apricots. It is characterized by amazing winter hardiness, has average term ripening, large sweet and sour fruits with delicate aromatic pulp;
- Voronezh aromatic- this is a winter-hardy variety, annually in mid-summer it produces high yield. The fruits are small, but juicy and tasty, with a pleasant aroma.
Varieties with partial pollination function
Apricot variety "Champion of the North"
There are varieties of apricot that are capable of bearing fruit without pollination, that is, parthenocarpy.
The nuance is that this quality is present from time to time depending on weather conditions, environment, growing technologies. Such varieties bear fruit more effectively when pollinators are added to them.
Partially autofertile apricot varieties include the following varieties:
Good to know: self-fertile varieties do not depend on weather conditions and the presence of insects.
Below, we invite you to watch a video on how to properly grow apricots in your garden:
Of the apricot varieties tested at the GBS RAS from other regions of Russia, the old Voronezh Triumph Northern and the new Saratov variety Saratov Rubin turned out to be the best in terms of fruit quality and winter hardiness. Their winter hardiness is sufficient for our conditions, and the fruits are of excellent quality.
| TRIUMPH NORTH Medium-late ripening variety. The tree is of moderate growth, up to 3 m high. Annual shoots have almost no branches, so pruning is easy. The fruits are large - up to 50 g, oval. The color is bright yellow or orange with a beautiful intense blush. The pulp is dense, orange, very tasty. The heart-shaped bone separates well. Productivity is high. This variety makes excellent compotes and jams. |
 SARATOV RUBYAn industrial variety with annual and abundant fruiting. Attracts the attention of amateur gardeners due to the frost resistance of trees and fruit buds, unpretentiousness, as well as resistance to clasterosporiasis and other diseases. The trees are vigorous, with a rounded crown, 4-5 m high. Ripe fruits have a rich orange-ruby color. Taste qualities very good. The pulp is tender, sweet, with a strong aroma. The bone is small and separates well. The fruits are resistant to cracking and are characterized by high transportability and keeping quality. In the refrigerator, they retain their taste and commercial qualities for up to two months. |
New varieties
In addition to the varieties described, the GBS RAS (Moscow) has a number of promising apricot varieties that are not inferior to those described above in terms of winter hardiness, yield, attractiveness and taste, but have not yet been included in the State Register.
 GUIANITree up to 6 m high. Fruits ripen in the second half of August. They are orange with a bright pink blush, oval in shape with a small nose, sparsely pubescent, shiny. The taste is sweet and sour, the flesh is very juicy. The average weight of the fruit is 15-20 g. The stone separates well. This is the only Moscow apricot with a sweet kernel. Productivity is high. |
 PACERRipens in mid-August. Tree up to 3 m high. Fruits weighing 20-25 g, oval, slightly pubescent, with a very beautiful watercolor blush. The suture is deep, sometimes with a crack at the base of the bone. The pulp is dense, the taste is excellent. The bone is elongated, but does not always separate well. Productivity is average. In 2007, after an abnormal warm winter, when there was practically no apricot harvest, only Pacer produced fruit. |
 KNYAGININMedium sized tree. Winter hardiness is high, the variety successfully survived several unfavorable winters in a rather harsh climate in the city of Vladimir on the territory of the Holy Dormition Princess Monastery. Fruits with a pronounced seam, an original shape (width greater than length) and with weak pubescence. They are shiny with a watercolor blush and taste great. Productivity is high. But there are also disadvantages: the pulp contains fibers, and the stone does not separate completely cleanly. |
 PROFESSOR SKVORTSOVRipening begins in early August. Medium sized tree. The fruits are round, weighing about 20 g, beautiful orange with an intense blush. The pulp is dense, juicy, tender, the taste is excellent. The bone is small and easily separated. The productivity is very high. |
 EDELWEISSRipening begins in the first half of August. A tree up to 3 m high. The growing tips of annual shoots are intensely reddish in color, not only in mid-summer, like all other varieties, but also at the very beginning of growth. Trees are very decorative. The fruits, weighing 20-25 g (with a small harvest of up to 50 g), are pubescent, yellow, sometimes with blush, with a beautiful nose and a pronounced seam, are well stored. The pulp is not too juicy, dense, gristly, the taste is wonderful. The bone comes off easily. Productivity is average. |
Many varieties of apricot have an edible kernel, which is a successful substitute for almonds in confectionery. Raw kernels - good prevention tumor formation and many other diseases.
Unfortunately, the kernels of all Moscow apricot varieties, with the exception of Guiani, are bitter.
The shells of the seeds are processed into activated carbon. Apricot wood, which has a reddish tint, is highly valued for its strength (harder than oak) and beauty.
The article is based on materials from the publication World of Gardening
Apricot is one of the most delicious and healthy fruits. Now it is impossible to imagine any country cottage area, on which an apricot tree would not be grown. Previously, apricots could only be grown in southern regions However, thanks to breeders, apricots can now be grown in different climatic conditions.
Nowadays there are a huge number different varieties apricot In this article we will look at the most popular apricot varieties and find out which ones apricot varieties They vary according to their ripening period.
According to the ripening period, apricots are:
Mid-season
Late
Early apricot varieties
The early varieties of apricot include the following: Apricot early, Alyosha, Voronezh early, Veteran of Sevastopol, June early and others. Let's consider the 2 most popular varieties of early apricots.
Apricot early is an early variety of apricot. Apricots ripen in mid to late June. This variety belongs to large-fruited varieties apricots The tree is vigorous, the fruits are yellow with pink. The pulp is yellow. The variety has a pleasant aroma and sweet taste.
Alyosha
The apricot variety "Alyosha" also belongs to the early apricot varieties. The fruits are bright yellow “dotted”, round in shape, slightly flattened on the sides. The fruits have a certain shine. Fruit weight is about 20 g. The pulp is orange. The taste is sweet and sour. The tree has a spreading crown; the height of the tree can reach 4 m.
This variety is characterized by high yield and winter hardiness. "Alyosha" is used for making compotes and jams, and is also used in fresh.
Mid-season apricot varieties
TO mid-season varieties apricots include the following varieties: Polessky large-fruited, Nadezhny, Michurinets, Krasnoshchekiy, Dessertny and others. Let's take a closer look at 2 varieties of mid-season apricots.
Red-cheeked
The red-cheeked variety belongs to the mid-season apricot varieties. Fruit maturity occurs in mid-late July. The apricot tree is tall. The fruits are large (about 50 g), golden-orange in color. The fruits have a wonderful aroma, sweet and juicy taste. Apricot skin is thin and velvety.
The tree will begin to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting. This apricot variety has excellent winter and drought resistance.
Dessert
The dessert variety also belongs to the mid-season apricot varieties. Fruit maturity occurs in mid-June. The tree has a lush crown and is tall (4-5 m). The fruits are medium rather than large (about 30 g), light yellow in color. The taste is sweet and sour. The skin is thin, the flesh is tender. The variety has good winter hardiness.
Late apricot varieties
Late apricot varieties include the following varieties: Ogonyok, Podarok, Surprise, Joy, Hardy, Favorit, Honey and others. Take a closer look at a couple of types of late apricot varieties.
Favorite
The favorite belongs to the late varieties of apricot. The tree is moderately tall (height about 3-4 m). The fruits ripen by the end of August, but even in September you can see unripe apricots. The fruits are medium-sized, the weight of the fruit is 30 g. The fruits are orange with a bright blush. The pulp is dense, bright orange. The favorite has a delicate, juicy taste.
The favorite is characterized by good yield, winter and frost resistance. This variety is consumed fresh and canned.
Honey
The honey variety also belongs to the late apricot varieties. A tree with a wide crown, can reach 4 m. The fruits are not large in size, the weight of the fruit is about 15 g. The color of the fruit is yellow, with a small number of red dots. The flesh of the fruit is also yellow. The fruit has a wonderful aroma and sweet, juicy taste. The variety has excellent yield and good frost resistance.
In addition to the above varieties of apricot, there are also varieties that are not afraid of frost and winter, I suggest you learn a little about them.
Winter-hardy apricot varieties
TO winter-hardy varieties apricot varieties include the following varieties: Snegirek, Lyubimy, Hardy, Kichiginsky, Piquant, Manchurian, Northern Triumph and others. Let's consider the 2 most popular varieties.
Manchurian
The Manchurian apricot variety is distinguished by its frost resistance and durability. This variety can withstand temperatures down to -30 degrees. The Manchurian apricot tree is especially beautiful during the flowering period. The tree can reach 10-15 m. The fruits are not large (15-20 g), the fruits are not sweet, they are rather sour. This variety is more often used for preservation rather than consumed fresh.
Northern Triumph
Northern Triumph is also a winter-hardy apricot variety. This variety not only perfectly tolerates harsh winters and spring frosts, but at the same time gives good harvest. Northern Triumph is resistant to diseases and pests. Apricot trees are not very tall.
The fruits are medium-sized (about 40-60 g), elongated-oval in shape, and may be asymmetrical. The fruits ripen in early to mid-August. Color orange with pink. The pulp is yellow, juicy. Apricot has a pleasant aroma and excellent sweet taste.
Tatyana Kuzmenko, member of the editorial board, correspondent of the online publication "AtmAgro. Agro-industrial Bulletin"
(+1 very original recipe!)
What to do if you are a keen gardener, you have fallen in love with apricot completely and irrevocably, but you live in middle lane Russia? Is it worth planting these trees? Will they grow and bear fruit? They will! At the moment, there are many northern varieties that are able to grow and produce good harvests even in harsh conditions.
The first apricots appeared in Russia under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Educated, well-read, extremely inquisitive by nature, he loved beauty, delved into all the details of farming and gardening in his estates near Moscow. It was under him that in 1654, 4 “peach plum” trees and 2 “Armenian apple” (apricot) trees appeared in Moscow. In the 18th century, apricot became widely known in our country. It was grown in monasteries, greenhouses of the nobility, and to the south - in open ground. The culture penetrated into the south of Russia independently, as Crimea, the Caucasus and Turkestan were annexed.
Advancing north
Attempts to grow apricots in the northern regions began at the beginning of the twentieth century. The first varieties based on Manchurian apricot were developed by Ivan Michurin in the Tambov region. These are Satzer, Mongol, Comrade and Best Michurinsky.
The work was continued by his students - they crossed Michurin apricots with Central Asian and European ones. This is how the varieties Hardy, Voronezh large, Urozhayny, Pogremok, Yantarny, Northern Triumph, Dessert, Kolkhozny, and Success appeared.
Nowadays, breeding work is carried out in many regions of Russia - in the Volga region, Khakassia, Far East and the Urals, where varieties well adapted to local conditions have been created.
However, if a variety feels great in Siberia, this does not mean that it will grow just as well in the European part of the country. For example, Khakassia has a special microclimate that is extremely favorable for apricots. The winter there is cold, but without thaws and high snow cover. Summer is hot and with increased solar radiation. Spring is short and friendly. All this allows the apricot not only to survive safely and bear fruit, but also to avoid many diseases.
In Moscow, Professor A.K. Skvortsov, starting in the 50s of the last century, created a cultural population of winter-hardy apricot. In just a few generations, it was possible to obtain varieties resistant to the Moscow climate. Initially, seeds for sowing were collected throughout the former USSR - from the Baltic states to the Far East.
Since 1984, the work has been continued by L.A. Kramarenko. The apricot collection in the Main Botanical Garden is expanding. Gardens were created in 27 monasteries in the Moscow region and neighboring areas. Attempts are being made to promote apricot even further - to the north of the Vladimir and Tver regions.
Michurin, as we remember, began breeding frost-resistant apricots at the beginning of the twentieth century. But already in the 18th century they grew well in the vicinity of Moscow in monasteries. That is, it turns out northern varieties existed 150 years before the famous breeder? Did he really not know about them? Of course he did. However, these apricots were not winter-hardy. But what about monasteries, you ask?
And here lies the main trick. The fact is that behind the high monastery walls, in confined space a special microclimate was formed - in such farmsteads there was more heat and cold winds did not penetrate there. But in ordinary gardens, the same apricots were ordered to live a long time already in the first winter.
Currently, in 3 monasteries in the very center of Moscow - Novospassky, Zachatievsky and the Krutitsky Compound - almost the entire range of Moscow apricots is grown.
The best Moscow varieties
The State Register of Breeding Achievements contains 8 varieties of Moscow apricots recommended for cultivation in central Russia.
Alyosha. The variety itself early date ripening - its fruits ripen in late July - early August. Trees up to 4 m high. The flowers are spectacular, very large - up to 4 cm in diameter, white, with pinkish veins. The fruits weigh 15–20 g, round, slightly flattened on the sides, bright yellow, with a blush. The descent is weak. The pulp is orange, dense, tasty. The bone comes off easily. The only drawback is that the stone is quite large, taking up 16% of the fruit’s weight, with an average of 11–13%.
Iceberg. Early variety, ripens in late July - early August. Trees are 3 m high. The flowers are white, large, 3.5–4 cm in diameter. The fruits weigh 20–22 g, round or oval, slightly flattened on the sides, yellow-orange, with a slight blush and pubescence. The pulp is juicy, tender, tasty. The bone is small and separates well.
Aquarius. The fruits ripen in the second ten days of August. The tree is powerful, 5–6 m high. The flowers are medium-sized, about 2.5 cm in diameter. The fruits are round, with a pronounced seam, weighing 25–30 g, but sometimes individual apricots weigh up to 50–60 g. They are yellow, with a barely visible blush, but more often without it. The taste is sweet and sour, harmonious. The bone is medium, easily separated. Productivity is high.
Lel. The fruits ripen early, but a little later than those of Alyosha and Iceberg. Trees of medium size and moderate growth. The flowers are about 3 cm in diameter. The fruits weigh 20 g, round, slightly flattened on the sides, orange, without blush, with slight pubescence. These apricots are perhaps the most delicious - with harmonious combination acids and sugars. The bone comes off well. The only drawback is that the bone, like Alyosha’s, is large. Productivity is average and stable.
Monastic. This is a late variety - in warm summers the fruits ripen in mid-August, and in cool weather - at the end. The trees are vigorous with a spreading crown. The flowers are about 3 cm in diameter. The fruits are quite large, weighing 25–30 g, but favorable years There are up to 40 and even up to 50 g. They are oval, laterally compressed, bright yellow, often with a strong blush. The pulp is orange, tasty, but slightly mealy. The stone is quite large and separates from the pulp easily, but not always cleanly. But the yield at Monastyrsky is very high!
Tsarsky. An early variety, the fruits ripen in early August. Trees 3–4 m high, with moderate growth. The flowers are very large, more than 4 cm in diameter. The fruits weigh 20–22 g, have a regular oval shape, are yellow, often with a slight blush, and pubescent. The skin is somewhat thick. But the pulp is very tasty - sweet and sour, juicy, tender, with a pronounced aroma. The stone is medium in size and comes off easily, but not always cleanly. Productivity is average but stable.
Another 2 Moscow varieties that are in the State Register have serious shortcomings.
Countess. Its fruits are quite large, weighing 25–30 g, very juicy and tasty, and the yield is high. But this variety is considered the most capricious among others. In rainy years, it suffers greatly from hole spotting; apricots are covered with black spots, and sometimes with a solid scab. And gum leakage can be very strong.
Favorite. It also has large fruits, up to 30 g. Very tasty, with a small seed. Productivity is average. But apricots ripen very late and in years with cold, rainy summers they remain green on the trees even in September.
Varieties from the Black Earth Region
When tested in the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow), among apricot varieties bred in other regions, two turned out to be the best in quality and winter hardiness - the ancient Voronezh Northern Triumph and the Saratov variety Saratov Ruby. They feel great in central Russia, including the Moscow region.
Northern Triumph. Medium-late ripening variety. Trees 3 m high, moderate growth. The fruits are large, weighing up to 50 g, oval, bright yellow or orange with a beautiful intense blush. The pulp is dense, orange, very tasty. The heart-shaped bone separates well. Productivity is high.
Saratov ruby. It is distinguished by high frost resistance of trees and fruit buds. Resistant to diseases. The trees are vigorous, 4–5 m high. The fruits are rich orange-ruby in color. The pulp is tender, sweet, very tasty, with a strong aroma. The bone is small and separates well. The fruits are resistant to cracking and do not wrinkle during long-term transportation. And they store well - they can last up to 2 months in the refrigerator!
Promising new products
Other varieties were also tested in the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences - they also showed themselves to be excellent both in terms of yield and taste of fruits, as well as frost resistance. They have not yet been included in the State Register, but are very promising.
Guiani. The fruits ripen in the second half of August. Trees up to 6 m high. Apricots are medium-sized, weighing 15–20 g, oval with a small spout, orange, with a bright pink blush, slightly pubescent. The bone separates well. Productivity is high. And, by the way, this variety has sweet edible kernels.
BY THE WAY
Most apricot varieties have bitter kernels. But there are several varieties, including Guiani, which are not sweet and successfully replace almonds. They are used in confectionery products. And raw kernels are a good prevention of cancer.
Pacer. The harvest ripens in mid-August. Trees are 3 m high. Fruits weigh 20–25 g, oval, slightly pubescent, with a very beautiful watercolor blush. The pulp is dense, excellent taste. The suture is deep, sometimes with a crack at the base of the bone. The pit does not always separate well. Productivity is average.
Knyaginin. Medium-sized trees, very winter-hardy - this variety successfully survived several unfavorable winters in the rather harsh climate of the city of Vladimir on the territory of the Holy Dormition Princess Monastery. Fruits with a pronounced seam, an original shape (they are wider than long), weak fluffiness and a watercolor blush. The taste is excellent. Productivity is high. The only drawback is that the pulp contains fibers.
Professor Skvortsov. The harvest ripens in early August. Medium sized tree. The fruits are round, weighing about 20 g, orange, with an intense blush. The pulp is dense, juicy, tender, of excellent taste. The bone is small and easily separated. The productivity is very high.
Edelweiss. The fruits ripen in the first half of August. Trees are 3 m high, very decorative. Fruits weighing 20–25 g, individual up to 50 g, pubescent, yellow, sometimes with blush, with a beautiful nose and a pronounced seam. The pulp is not too juicy, dense, and has a wonderful taste. The bone comes off easily. Productivity is average. The fruits are well stored.
Most apricot varieties are self-fertile plants. To get a harvest, you need to have 2-3 varieties on the plot. Or vaccinate different varieties into the crown of one tree.
Salted green apricots
Apricots for this original preparation are harvested 2 weeks after flowering. At this time they are the size of an olive, and the pit is soft. That is, then you can eat them whole. And if you are embarrassed by the fact that you will have to pick very small fruits, which means there will be fewer ripe ones, do not worry - this technique (by the way, it is called “harvest rationing”) does not harm the overall harvest at all. And if the ovaries are not cut off, they will still fall off.
So what do you need?
Green apricots, a few cloves of garlic (to taste), horseradish root, maybe a few small onions.
For 1 liter of brine: 50 g salt, 25 g sugar, 3-4 black peppercorns, 1-2 allspice peas, 1/2 clove bud, 1-2 bay leaves, spices(leaves of currant, cherry, parsley, celery, horseradish, tarragon and dill, and it should make up half of the total volume of herbs).
The volume of brine should be approximately 1/2 of the volume of the jars, and boiling water will need a little more than the volume of the jars. The water must be boiled in advance.
Place apricots, garlic, pieces of horseradish, and onions in sterilized jars.
When the brine boils, add a handful of herbs and boil for 8-10 minutes. While it is boiling, pour boiling water over the jars of apricots twice for 1–2 minutes. Then put a little herb in each jar and fill it with brine. Close the jar with pre-boiled lids.
Valentina KOKOREVA
Based on materials from the magazine "Gardener's World"