Apricot variety Alyosha - decorative and unpretentious

Description of culture

The tree is distinguished by a spreading crown of a round shape, reaching a height of 3-3.5 meters. On strongly branched shoots many flowers up to 4 cm in diameter are formed. The color of the petals is white with thin pink veins. The budding period occurs at the end of April - beginning of May.

The average weight of one apricot does not exceed 15 grams. The pulp is characterized by a rich yellow-orange color and a sweet and sour taste. The peel is smooth, with a small amount of fibers. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened on the sides. As you can see in the photo of the Alyosha apricot, ripe fruits have a reddish tint.

According to the description of the apricot variety Alyosha, the pulp of the fruit contains many useful substances. The fruits are rich in beta-carotene and potassium, its content reaches 380 mg per 100 g. Solids and sugars account for 14% and 8.3%, respectively. The stone is quite large compared to other varieties and is easily separated. Its weight is about 16% of the total mass of apricot.

Important! Daily use 300 gr. apricots completely cover the human need for provitamin A.

Description and characteristics of fruits and trees

The diameter of the trunk is up to 40 cm, which allows it to retain the volume of the crown and an abundant harvest of fruits. The bark on mature branches and trunk is brown with longitudinal cracking. The leaves are green, ovate, on a long petiole, 5–9 cm long and 4–8 cm wide, with a rounded base, pointed tip and finely serrated edge. Did you know? Drawing ink is made from burnt apricot kernels, and musical instruments, such as the Armenian duduk, are made from wood.

Flower buds are formed during the current year's growth on shoots of different lengths (5–50 cm). The flowers are large - up to 4 cm, five-petaled on short stalks, solitary, fragrant, white with pale pink veins, sepals red-pink. Flowers appear and bloom before leaves. Surface roots are distributed at a depth of 30–60 cm, and the main part goes 4–5 m deep.

The drupes are small-fruited, one-dimensional, round, slightly flattened. The two halves are separated by a longitudinal groove. Weight 13–20 g. Fruit diameter - 3-4 cm. The main color of the fruit is yellow. On the side most exposed to the sun - with a shade of red. The pulp is yellow, cartilaginous - dense and elastic. The skin is velvety and dense. The stone is large (20% of the weight of the fruit), thick-walled, rough, and easily separated from the pulp. The kernel is bitter.

The variety is early-bearing - it begins to bear fruit 3 years after grafting. Ovaries are formed on all types of shoots. Productivity - 43 c/ha or 30–50 kg per tree.

Crown height and density

The fruit tree is fast-growing and medium-sized - height 3.5–4 m. Branching is average. The crown at the beginning of growth is paniculate, raised, dense and well leafy. As the tree ages, it becomes rounded and spreading due to the branched shoots and the bending of the branches under the weight of the fruit.

Young growths are shiny, smooth and straight, red-brown, with numerous small tubercles. Shoots begin to grow very early and quickly - shoot growth is 50–60 cm per year.

Taste qualities of fruits

The taste is inferior to southern varieties, but it is moderately sweet, sour and juicy.

The chemical composition of the pulp makes apricot suitable for drying:

• dry matter - 13.2%;
• acids - 2%;
• sucrose - 8%.

Frost resistance and drought resistance

The Alyosha variety is a winter-hardy and frost-resistant variety and is recommended for cultivation in the Central European part of Russia, including the Moscow region. In tolerance zones, it reveals all its productive functions to the maximum. In frosty winters (up to -30...-35°C), only 50% of the generative buds are damaged, which ensures the harvest for the next season.

The apricot harvest in the middle zone depends not so much on sub-zero winter temperatures, but on the sharp change from the late thaw to a quick return to sub-zero conditions, the so-called “swing”. It is precisely these conditions that the Alyosha variety can withstand. Apricot can be considered a drought-resistant crop - it can withstand a lack of moisture in the soil and atmosphere.

Read about the beneficial and unhealthy properties of apricot.

Pollinators and productivity

The variety is self-fertile. Pollen from other trees is not required for the formation of ovaries. The variety itself is a good pollinator for other varieties that bloom at the same time.

An annual seedling will bear its first harvest in the third year. At first it may be only a few fruits, but with good agricultural technology during the period of full fruiting (from 5-6 years), you can get 30–50 kg from each tree. Fruiting is regular.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

• early maturation;
• winter hardiness;
• mixed fruiting (ovaries are formed on all types of shoots);
• the variety is early-fruiting, self-fertile and productive;
• fruit separation is dry;
• does not require complex agrotechnical measures;
• adapted for cultivation in difficult soil and climatic conditions;
• shelf life up to 2 weeks while maintaining marketable qualities;
• universal use;
• Due to its dense pulp, it can withstand transportation.

• large bone;
• low taste;
• shedding of fruits during ripening;
• low resistance to harmful attacks.

Characteristics

The variety is intended for cultivation in the Moscow region and other regions of the middle zone. In the appropriate climate, the fruit tree produces a stable harvest of apricots every year, without requiring significant effort from the gardener.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

This unpretentious variety tolerates frosty winters well. If there is low air temperature in spring, it is recommended to whiten the tree trunk in a timely manner to delay flowering. A distinctive characteristic of the Alyosha apricot variety is its ability to tolerate dry weather. A long-term decrease in soil moisture may have a slight effect on the taste of the fruit.

Pollination, flowering period, ripening time

The fruit tree variety begins to bear fruit after 3-4 years. Ovaries are formed on all types of shoots. The flowering period, as a rule, occurs in the third ten days of April or the beginning of May. Pollinators are not required for the Alyosha apricot. The self-fertile variety can itself act as a pollinator for other apricot trees. During flowering, the entire crown is strewn with large flowers.

Early fruit ripening begins in mid-summer. From the second half of July to mid-August, technical ripeness of apricots begins. The yield of the variety is high, more than 40 c/ha.

Area of ​​application of fruits

Apricots of the Alyosha variety are consumed fresh, and compotes and jams are prepared from them. The harvest collected from the branch can be stored for a long time and not spoil. Fruits are suitable for transportation over short distances.

Important! From juicy fruits you can get healthy and tasty apricot juice with a pleasant sourness.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The Alyosha variety demonstrates high immunity to diseases characteristic of fruit trees, especially monoliosis and klyasterosporiosis. These fungal diseases lead to premature death and shedding of foliage and ovaries. The reason for the spread of diseases is sharp temperature fluctuations and high humidity.

Reviews from gardeners about the Alyosha apricot indicate resistance to pests. With proper care and suitable climatic conditions, the tree does not need additional protection.

Advantages and disadvantages

Alyosha is a popular variety for growing in central Russia.

Apricot received recognition from gardeners due to several advantages:

• early fruit ripening;
• ability to withstand winter temperatures down to -30°C;
• resistance to pests and diseases;
• high yield and taste of ripe apricots;
• transportability and keeping quality of fruits.

In accordance with the description of the apricot Alyosha, the only disadvantage is the large mass of the stone, which increases the percentage of waste during fruit processing.

Reviews from gardeners about apricot Alyosha

Apricot Alyosha is famous for its universal use and easy care. Gardeners' opinions about the variety can be read below.

• Petr Korovay : “Alyosha is a simple apricot variety, as for me. It can be grown for canning - jam, compotes, juices. These apricots cannot be sold at a high price on the market - they are too small, without any “zest”, in comparison with modern hybrids. So I recommend the Alyosha apricot rather as a pollinator for more valuable dessert varieties.”
• Natasha Ostapenko : “I got the Alyosha apricot along with my grandmother’s dacha. The tree is still young, but it will give birth well. In comparison with neighboring apricots, I can say that the tree blooms well and pleases with large harvests. I fertilize it 2 times a year - spring and autumn, in the summer I try not to use chemicals and minerals. The main difficulty is that you need to trim off unnecessary branches in a timely manner. What can we say - one year of downtime and the crown is so thick that it is impossible to harvest! So it’s better not to postpone this procedure until later!”
• Alexander Redisov : “My garden is small, but 3 apricots of the Alyosha variety grow in it. This tree, although without any frills, deserves attention. The fruits are easy to transport, the variety is early, ripens quickly, and the taste is good. There is always a demand for such apricots, even if not for food, but they are eagerly bought up for canning. For this reason, I recommend this variety to my friends for planting.”

Landing Features

The survival rate of the seedling when planting the Alyosha apricot and further fruiting depends on how well the preparatory work is done. What matters is the quality of planting material, the place and timing of planting, and compliance with basic rules of care.

Recommended timing

Saplings with an open root system must be planted in a permanent place in March-April. At this time, the soil should be warmed up by 5-10°C. As the soil warms up, active growth of the root system and young shoots will begin.

Planting material with a closed root system can be planted from spring to mid-August. Later planting dates are undesirable. Before the onset of frost, the tree will not have time to take root sufficiently and will die with the onset of frost.

Choosing a suitable location

The yield of Alyosha apricot is influenced by the area in which it grows. You should choose a sunny place, protected on the north side by buildings or other trees. Apricots can be planted on a slight slope. In the shade, the Alyosha variety reduces the number of ovaries, and the fruits grow sour and hard.

The root system of a fruit tree grows close to the surface of the earth. It is not advisable to plant the crop in a flooded area with close groundwater. This will lead to cracking of the trunk and rotting of the roots.

What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?

A fruit tree can be combined in the garden with early flowers, the growing season of which takes place at a time when there is little foliage on the branches. Tulips, crocuses, and daffodils thrive under apricot trees. Undesirable neighbors in the area are currants and raspberries. Shrubs draw essential nutrients from the soil. When planting the Alyosha variety, it should be taken into account that its horizontal root system needs a lot of space.

Selection and preparation of planting material

For planting, you should choose seedlings 1-2 years old. They take root better and tolerate frosts and spring frosts more easily. The root system should be developed, smooth, without growths. Before planting, seedlings stored in autumn are cut to a third of their length and damaged and dry root shoots are removed. Nurseries sell Alyosha apricot seedlings in containers with soil. Such trees take root well at any time of planting.

Landing algorithm

Apricot planting is carried out subject to several requirements:

1. The hole for the seedling is dug to a depth of 70 cm, and drainage is laid at the bottom.
2. A hill is formed from a fertile layer of soil and fertilizers, on which the seedling is placed, carefully spreading the roots.
3. The root collar is left at a height of 5 cm above the ground surface.
4. At a distance of 15-10 cm, a peg the height of a seedling is driven in.
5. The soil around the neck is thoroughly compacted and spilled with plenty of water.

A properly planted tree takes root within 1 month and begins to grow green mass.

Apricot planting and care.

Planting of seedlings can be carried out exclusively in the spring (for bare root plants), and from spring to October (for containerized plants).

An apricot seedling should not be buried when planted in the ground. The root collar (the place where the root enters the trunk) should be 5-7 cm above ground level.

When purchasing a seedling in the spring, you can immediately prune the branches. You can't cut the roots. The more of them a young tree has, the faster it will take root. The roots can only be straightened.

Almost all varieties of apricot growing in the Moscow region are considered self-sterile, that is, they need pollen from another plant to set fruit. Accordingly, you should keep this in mind and if you or your neighboring plot does not have another tree (another variety of apricot), you should purchase it immediately. Even in self-fertile varieties, yields increase significantly when a pollinator appears.

The feeding area of ​​one apricot tree is about 12 sq.m.

When planting an apricot, either organic fertilizer (horse humus or humus), potassium chloride - 20 g, superphosphate 30-40 g are placed in the planting hole.

Subsequent care of the crop

Caring for the Alyosha apricot is quite simple. Compliance with agricultural technology allows you to achieve high yields for many years. One of the points of care is crown formation. On a young tree, 5-6 main shoots are left, shortening them by 1/3. Skeletal branches should form an even crown on all sides. Then it is necessary to carry out formative pruning of the regrown shoots every autumn.

In the spring, before the budding period, the tree can be fed with nitrogen fertilizers. It is recommended to use organic matter as a source. In autumn, potassium salt with superphosphate is applied under the apricot. To protect against pests, the trunk is whitened and wrapped with nylon mesh. Watering is necessary for fruit crops in the first half of the growing season and during prolonged drought.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Alyosha variety has become widely known due to a number of its positive qualities:

• early fruit ripening;
• high taste and commercial qualities;
• the Alyosha variety tolerates drought and frost well;
• sufficient resistance to diseases and pests;
• high yield;
• keeping quality and transportability of fruits;
• not demanding in care.

Perhaps the only drawback is the large size of the pit, which increases the percentage of waste during apricot processing.

Based on the above characteristics, this type of variety can be grown with confidence in any summer cottage. Apricot (Alyosha variety) is famous for its rich harvest, without causing any trouble in caring for it. This variety will easily withstand any frost and drought and will be able to produce a lot of tasty and healthy fruits that will be suitable not only for canning, but also for fresh consumption.

Diseases and pests

The Alyosha variety is characterized by high immunity. The fruit tree is resistant to fungal diseases that are often found among its fellows. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to promptly carry out sanitary pruning of dry, damaged shoots, and spray trees with fungicides if there are diseased specimens in the garden. Every autumn the lower part of the trunk should be treated with whitewash to repel pests.

It is advisable to periodically dig up the soil around the tree to destroy caterpillars and harmful larvae. It is recommended to regularly inspect apricot foliage for the presence of aphids or codling moths. To control pests, it is necessary to spray trees with insecticides.

History of the variety

Famous biologist Larisa Andreevna Kramarenko and professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences Alexey Konstantinovich Skvortsov in the main Botanical Garden named after. N.V. Tsirana (in Moscow) developed a new variety of apricot.

It is almost impossible for gardeners to purchase them on their own; not a single nursery supplies these seedlings to specialized retail outlets.

Having greater capabilities than amateur gardeners, two eminent scientists optimized the original southern plant for the climate of temperate latitudes. Work on the plant species bred in the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University has continued since 1988. Only in 2004 it was included in the register of fruit trees of the Russian Federation.

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Spring pruning

Pruning the Alyosha apricot in the spring is necessary for a number of reasons, the main ones being the following:

• pruning provokes the growth of lateral branches, which improves the quantity and quality of fruit ovaries, and also has a beneficial effect on yield;
• spring pruning helps create a crown that is optimal for lighting and moisture;
• pruning damaged branches can improve the health of the tree and redirect nutrients in the right direction for a good harvest.

Pruning of the Alyosha apricot in the spring should be done before the stage of active movement of juice or immediately after its completion, but strictly before the onset of the flowering phase. The procedure must be carried out “under the bud”, focusing on the shape of the crown and making sure to remove the largest skeletal branches, as well as thickening areas. All cuts must be treated with garden varnish.