Every gardener dreams of growing this tasty and healthy fruit. What is it worth to enjoy juicy and ripe fruits from your own garden, not to mention the various compotes and preserves made from apricot? This fruit will bring you undoubted benefits, so every self-respecting gardener will definitely plant a couple of apricot varieties near his house or in his summer cottage. But how to choose the variety that is needed and not get bitter and sour fruits as a result? This article will tell about this. In it you will learn not only about what apricot varieties are, but also about what they are intended for. Since apricot that is not very tasty and hard at first glance can turn out to be beautiful and aromatic in canned form, in the form of jam or stewed fruit. A sweet and honey apricot will be completely unsuitable for these purposes.
Apricot: varieties, description
This article will describe in detail the appearance and size of the apricot, the approximate ripening time, indicate which year the fruiting occurs and what it is intended for. Some descriptions will indicate in which area it is better to take root, and some individual characteristics of each variety are mentioned. Some recommendations can be very useful for those who are going to grow apricot in the northern regions of our country. But remember that any apricot is very tender and, unlike cherry plum and plum, is prone to many diseases, therefore it requires special care and a careful attitude.
Apricots grown in the suburbs
Apricot varieties for Moscow Region are bred for a cold climate, therefore they are characterized by high frost resistance, however, when grown in these areas, there are subtleties that are described in special literature. The best apricot varieties for Moscow Region are described below.
Apricot Triumph North. This is a rather large fruit of a slightly elongated shape with a large bone, which can easily be separated from the pulp. It is appreciated not only for its great resistance to frost, but also for its sweet taste with honey and almond notes. The contents of the stone are sweet, reminiscent of sweet almonds to taste. Even cases of fake almonds with seeds of this particular apricot variety are known. It has early flowering, characterized by large and beautiful flowers. The fruits ripen in mid-summer and are distinguished by a dense, slightly sour skin, under which there is a sweet pulp. This variety is suitable not only for raw food, but also for the preparation of various jams and jams. In canned form, its fruits do not boil and are very tasty. Therefore, apricot Triumph North is suitable for all housewives who not only want to enjoy delicious fruits, but also make them a pie, jam or compote, which is so nice to drink in the summer.
Apricot Iceberg. Its fruits are characterized by softness, sweetness and a complete lack of sour taste. They are very fragrant and suitable not only for jam, but also for the preparation of various juices and compotes. It does not differ in the beauty of flowering, the fruits ripen in early August. The tree begins to bear fruit in the third or fourth year after grafting.
Apricot Aquarius. A relative of the famous Lel variety, only with its own characteristics. It differs in large and fleshy fruits with a large seam and a pronounced blush. Ripe fruits can be yellowish-orange in color with a pronounced honey hue. To taste, they are sweet and sour without pronounced sourness. Apricot varieties Aquarius has late ripening (in the last decade of August), and its fruits are excellent not only for eating directly from a tree, but also for all types of conservation. True, it is not stored for long, it quickly darkens. They are distinguished by very beautiful pinkish fruits, which always have a delicate blush from barely noticeable to pronounced, such apricot varieties (photos confirm this).
Apricot Orlovchanin. Descendant of the Triumph of the North. It looks a bit like the Krasnoshcheky apricot variety, but only the shape of the fruit is not round, but elongated. Apricots of this variety are distinguished by pronounced acidity, hardness and are excellent for compotes.
Apricot Krasnoshchekoy. A very popular and inexpensive apricot, which is valued throughout Russia, and since it is unpretentious and frost-resistant, it can be called the favorite of many owners of summer cottages. It takes root well not only in the northern, but also in the southern climate, which is why the apricot of the variety Krasnoshchekiy is so often found in gardeners. It is distinguished by large rounded fruits with a pronounced blush, for which the variety got its name. It blooms much later than others, but the fruits ripen in July and have a sweet and sour taste and a pronounced bright apricot aroma. You can eat a seed, it is not bitter, and the fruits are suitable for compotes and jams. By the way, even Krasnoshcheky canned apricots retain their summer flavor even in a jar, and they are loved for that. Red-cheeked and related to him are the best apricot varieties for the Moscow region. They are suitable not only for the northern regions of our country, but also for the southern ones. They are simply frost-resistant, which is why they are so appreciated in the northern cities of Russia. These are really the best apricot varieties for our country.
Apricots grown in Ukraine
Pineapple. It is also called apricot Shalah. It is distinguished by large elongated fruits of a pale yellow color, and it can often be seen on store shelves, especially those selling imported southern fruits. The Pineapple apricot variety is appreciated for its high resistance to pests and diseases, as well as for the sweetish taste resembling pineapple. Its fruits are easily recognizable on the shelves: they are slightly larger than usual, more tuberous and stand out among others with a characteristic pale yellow hue reminiscent of the color of a pineapple slice. The bone is long, like that of Gerdella, but not bitter and very tasty. Therefore, apricot Shalah is very loved not only in Ukraine, but also in other countries where it grows.
Apricot Melitopol early. This variety was once bred in Ukraine and still it does not leave anyone indifferent. The best apricot varieties that are listed in encyclopedias include this one as one of the most worthy. Firstly, it is very unpretentious and does not require special care or frequent watering. Secondly, its fruits are very tasty, with a thin skin and a honey aroma that will not leave anyone indifferent who has tried it at least once in their life. It is more suitable for raw food than for harvesting, although the jam from it turns out to be very tasty and aromatic. Delicate apricot Melitopol early is very easy to digest. For this reason, experienced housewives recommend mixing fruits (for example, with plums or apples). However, the taste of the best apricot in Ukraine is difficult to find.
- Column-shaped Star apricot. It is ideal for growing not only in the summer cottage, but also in the garden or near the house, as it takes up very little space and is unpretentious in maintenance. In addition, he already bears fruit in the third year of growth, while giving very tasty and sweet fruits. This columnar apricot is resistant to various pests and does not require special care, and also takes up little space on your site.
- Apricot Black Velvet. Its fruits are much smaller than usual, but they are much more aromatic than other varieties. Its habitat is the south of Russia, the territory of Crimea and Ukraine. It is very resistant to drought and many pests, as the variety appeared as a result of crossbreeding with cherry plum, which is highly resistant to various pests and diseases. The fruits of Black Velvet ripen in late July and have a bright and slightly pungent aroma, reminiscent of something between the aroma of plum and honey apricot. The flesh is yellow, with a pinkish tint closer to the middle of the fruit. The stone is small and slightly elongated, slightly bitter in taste. This variety was created for canning, therefore it is recommended to use it not in its raw form, but in the form of jam, compote or canned. Jam made from black apricot has a beautiful color, a bright characteristic aroma and a delicate taste that is not found even in mixed apricot jam, cherry plum and plum. Apricot Black velvet is very resistant to frost, but experts do not recommend growing it in cold regions, as a tree may not produce full-fledged fruit or become completely barren, although in the southern regions it gives a good harvest. Apricot varieties in Ukraine are diverse, but Black Velvet is considered to be the best.
Other varieties for different regions of Russia. Apricot Le-32/76 Betinka
A rare Czech apricot variety of saturated pink color with delicate orange flesh. It has an unusual taste and bright aroma. The flesh is bright orange, very dense and fleshy. Jam from such an apricot has a bright aroma and unusual taste that will delight not only gourmets, but also all sweet tooth. Its fruits ripen in mid-summer. This variety is characterized by great frost resistance and resistance to various diseases, as well as great fecundity.
Apricot Lejuna
Another variety of Czech pink apricot with characteristic large oval fruits with a bright pink blush, the color of which can vary from carrot-orange to a bright red-pink hue. Its fruits ripen by early August and are distinguished by a pronounced sweet taste with a honey tint. Like the previous variety, it is very resistant to frost and various pests. Fruits can persist for a long time and not deteriorate, so it is suitable for commercial purposes. In addition, this apricot is very fertile.
Apricot Aurora
One of the early varieties, the fruits of which ripen in late June. This variety is very prolific, and the fruits themselves are very large, rounded, of a beautiful orange color. They have a sweet taste and a rich apricot aroma that persists even after heat treatment in compote or jam. But it’s best not to harvest them for future use, but to eat them without processing, since this very early variety will delight you with sweet fruits at the end of June.
Apricot Honey
It got its name due to the pronounced sweet taste with a honey tint. Even the appearance of the fruits of this variety indicates the content. It is distinguished by large oval fruits of a rich golden orange hue, sometimes with a slight reddish blush. Like many southern varieties, it is very prolific, and new fruits appear in late July and early August. Its pulp is very soft and can be easily separated from the bone. The fruits of this apricot are very soft, and therefore not always suitable for heat treatment and preservation. In addition, this variety does not tolerate transportation, so it is not suitable for commercial purposes. It is best to simply harvest and enjoy the taste of honey apricot or bake pies stuffed with the fruits of this beautiful tree during fruiting.
Apricot varieties Akhrori
Very tasty variety with large, sweet, fleshy fruits of a bright pinkish-orange hue. This Asian variety is the earliest of all apricot species that exist at all. Its main advantage is its high resistance to frost, and the minus is that its fruits are poorly kept on their legs and crumble. But those who planted it near their home will be very pleased with the result. Indeed, it is difficult to tear yourself away from the sweet orange fruits with red dots on the side of the blush. But it feels best in the southern regions and countries with a subtropical climate. This variety is difficult to transport, so it is not advised to use it for commercial purposes, since its fruits quickly become soft and deteriorate. But from them it turns out very tasty and fragrant jam, although it is not recommended to use it for compote, since the fruits quickly become soft and boil.
Canning Late Apricot
It ripens late and is ideal for all types of preservation. Its fruits are very large, with a pronounced seam, elongated, resembling an egg. Its flesh is rather fleshy with a pronounced sour taste, the contents of the bone are sweet. This variety is not very suitable for eating raw, but it makes excellent dishes: filling for baking, preserves, jams and canned apricots, which can be enjoyed with pleasure in the cold season. Its yield is average, as well as resistance to frost and various pests.
Homemade apricot
It features late flowering and bright golden yellow fruits of a round shape. It is suitable not only for raw consumption, but also for various preparations: jams, jams and toppings for baking. But it is best suited for various homemade juices and syrups, which are not only tasty, but also very nutritious. It differs from other varieties, juices from which can be obtained insufficiently nutritious due to not very juicy or hard pulp. Home apricot can also be consumed raw, as it is very juicy and sweet. However, for drying it is better to choose other varieties. This species differs from others in its increased resistance to frost. The fruit ripening time for central Russia and more northern regions is the beginning and middle of August.
Pineapple Zurupin Apricot
Unlike Pineapple (Shalah), Pineapple Tsyurupin Apricot has a softer flesh, pronounced taste and indescribable aroma. It blooms late, but its first fruits appear in mid-July, sometimes in early August. The tree itself begins to bear fruit in the third year of ripening. The fruits of this type of Pineapple apricot are orange, without a blush, rounded, but not very large. The pulp is very sweet, aromatic, slightly reminiscent of pineapple, medium density and juiciness. The bone is sweet. This variety is not very resistant to various diseases and pests, but it is very resistant to frost and even severe frosts. More suitable for preservation than for eating raw, as well as for various fillings for baking, jams, compotes and jams. It is best established in various regions of Ukraine, in the south, as well as in the middle lane of our country. His productivity is average, but many gardeners love him for the lack of a sour and bitter taste, as well as for the original notes of sweet pineapple.
In this material, we examined the most popular apricot varieties that are traditionally grown by gardeners in the Russian Federation, as well as in Ukraine. We hope that this review will be useful and interesting to you.