Planting and caring for columnar apricot variety "Prince March"

Apricot plantings prefer plenty of light and warmth. The plant develops in a short time and lays a considerable number of generating buds for abundant fruiting. The tree has branched forms. Long, thick, flexible branches. During the growth period, the shoots grow and the crown expands. Rapid development provokes the development of various diseases, sudden drying out, and reduction of fruits. To ensure that the plantings always remain in a healthy, attractive condition, seasonal pruning of apricots is necessary.

Elegant and prolific columnar apricot: popular varieties and cultivation characteristics

Hello my readers! For a long time, it was believed that only semi-wild varieties of apricots with elongated, sour fruits could be grown on the territory of Russia and Ukraine, and that it was problematic to harvest a decent harvest from them.

However, thanks to advances in breeding, an excellent alternative has emerged - small and graceful columnar varieties of apricots. The most important thing is that they take up much less space on the site than ordinary varieties, due to the special shape of the crown, and in the fall a rich harvest is harvested from each tree. It is also very pleasant that planting and caring for columnar apricots is simple and does not require any special tricks.

Sequence of pruning by year

Apricot pruning by year

We offer you a fairly simple scheme for pruning apricots by year. This apricot pruning scheme will significantly simplify this procedure, and the gardener will have the opportunity to form the correct crown of the tree.

The first pruning is performed in the second year of the seedling’s life. This work is carried out in the spring and involves shortening the annual growth. If the tree shows a growth rate of about 50 centimeters per year, then the shoots and skeletal branches are shortened by half their length.

If the tree grows weakly, it is recommended to shorten the branches by two-thirds of their length. At the same time, the top is pruned, which stimulates the appearance of powerful lateral skeletal branches.

In the third year, appropriate pruning of the apricot is carried out, during which part of the lateral processes of the skeletal branches is completely removed, and part is shortened by one third and half of its length. Such large-scale pruning allows you to subsequently stimulate the active growth of the tree.

By the fourth year, the crown of the apricot will be practically formed and the gardener’s task will only be to maintain its optimal shape. To do this, the top is shortened, several upper side shoots are removed, and the lower and upper branches are trimmed.

It is optimal to shorten apricot branches in such a way that powerful skeletal formations are located below one to two-year-old shoots. This will ensure maximum fruiting rates. The care of plantings is greatly simplified, and the gardener avoids thickening of the crown.

Features of planting columnar apricots

• The place for planting apricots must be prepared individually for each seedling so that all the roots fit freely in the hole;
• Before planting, you need to add a little potassium or fertilizer, mixing them with the ground;
• It is necessary to take into account that then the earth may settle slightly, which is why the tree will begin to grow unevenly, and water may be washed out when watering;
• Despite the fact that the crowns of columnar trees allow them to be planted closer to each other, the distance between seedlings should be at least a meter.

Further care for apricots is quite simple. It is better to fertilize three times during the growing season - commercial fertilizer, slurry, and chicken droppings will do. It is better to fertilize flowers from seedlings in the first year, immediately pluck all excess branches and periodically carry out preventive spraying against pests.

If it is not possible to purchase specialized products, then those designed for apple trees are also suitable - this will help keep the tree healthy.

In addition, it is especially important to prune the branches, otherwise the crown of the apricot will turn from a columnar one into a regular spreading one, only the fruits on the branches will be arranged in a special way, resembling a column.

Pruning apricots is the key to excellent fruiting

Apricot, like many other fruit trees, tends to thicken during growth, which in turn leads to various diseases, abnormal tree growth and problems with fruiting. To avoid this, it is necessary to perform regular trimming of the crown, which shapes it and allows you to remove improperly growing branches.

By pruning trees, the gardener speeds up fruiting, which allows you to get the harvest as early as possible. Despite the apparent difficulty of such work, pruning an apricot is not particularly difficult. Even novice gardeners can cope with this work with due diligence.

Just remember the need to use high-quality disinfected tools, as well as the correct choice of time for performing such pruning. All this will be the key to the successful completion of this work, and the gardener will be able to easily prune the apricot tree, guaranteeing its excellent growth and good fruiting.

How to prune correctly

One of the features of apricots and all stone fruits is the high activity of the buds - almost all those that hatch begin to grow. Moreover, the fruits are formed mainly on branches that grew last year, or on bouquet branches, spurs and other fruit formations. Their lifespan is usually about three years.

As a tree ages, its growth processes are inhibited. Flower buds are formed only on short shoots, and at the end of fruiting these branches become bare. And because of the short life of bouquet branches, older branches also become bare. Therefore, adult apricots need to maintain growth processes, and this is what you need to focus on when pruning.

Pruning a columnar apricot is a very important point. It is best to stick to the tiered form (see photo), highlighting 5-6 main branches and leaving about 40 cm of distance between them. Correction of the crown shape begins in the first year of the plant’s life.

• If, when planting in spring, the seedling has no branches, it is cut off at a height of 80-90 cm.
• If there are lateral branches, then two of them are left, if possible those directed along the row, and shortened by half.
• All other branches are cut into a ring. The length of the central conductor should be cut 20-25 cm longer than the rest of the branches.

In summer, all competitive shoots that form at an acute angle are removed. In subsequent years, 3-4 more main branches are selected and pruned, on which branches will then form. The recommended distance between them is 35-40 cm.

To form a beautiful crown, you need to ensure that the upper shoots do not overtake the lower ones. If there are excess shoots, they can be shortened by turning them into fruit branches.

Once the desired crown shape is achieved, all that remains is to maintain it. To do this, you need to maintain the active growth of shoots by pruning them by shortening them by a third (if the branching of this variety is good) or by half. If the tree grows very quickly, additional pruning can be done in the summer, shortening the shoots by half or a quarter, depending on the intensity of growth.

What are the different types of apricot pruning?

Types of fruit crop pruning

There are several different types of pruning for this fruit crop:

• Formative,
• Regulatory,
• Rejuvenating,
• Sanitary,
• Restorative.

Formative

Starting from the age of two years, a young tree must undergo formative pruning. The main goal of this work is to give the crown the correct shape and stimulate the growth of the required volume of side branches. It is through formative pruning that it is possible to ensure early fruiting of trees.

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When forming the crown, we recommend practicing a sparsely tiered form. This pruning method implies the presence of 5-7 large branches of the first order, which are located from each other at a distance of 30 - 40 centimeters.

They begin pruning from the lower branches, which are shortened by half, and the next year only 20-30 centimeters are left from the branch. At a height of 40-50 centimeters, the second order of branching is formed. To do this, the side branches are shortened by one third of the length.

Unnecessary annual branches on the central trunk must be shortened by half their length. It is recommended to cut the main conductor above the last growing branch. The latter allows you to activate the growth of the tree in width, while reducing its height.

With the correct formation of the apricot crown, the tree begins to grow powerful side branches, which become a full-fledged branch of the main trunk. As a result, we get a powerful branched tree, with numerous lateral shoots of the third order, which bears fruit well.

Regulatory

When regulating pruning, which is carried out starting from 5-7 years of age, it is necessary to shorten some of the side branches, trim the top and remove the tops that appear. Such regulating pruning of apricot does not present any difficulty and only involves maintaining the correct shape of the tree crown. Note that if formative, correct pruning of apricot is performed exclusively in early spring, then regulatory and sanitary pruning can be performed in the fall.

Varieties of columnar apricots

The choice of apricot seedlings must be approached carefully, since it is, after all, a heat-loving plant, and not every variety is suitable, for example, for the Moscow region and especially the northern regions of the country. However, with proper care it is quite possible.

For example, the columnar apricot variety “Prince March” is one of the most productive. It is early ripening and bears fruit already in early August or even at the end of July, starting from the second year after planting on the site. "Prince" does not need a pollinator and has excellent resistance to various diseases and low temperatures.

Read also: Red-cheeked apricot: description of the variety, cultivation, planting and care

Reviews from gardeners about this variety are always extremely positive. The harvest collected from 3-5 trees is enough for the average family for both food and supplies. And seedlings of this variety can quite realistically take root even in a cold climate, the main thing is to properly take care of insulating them for the winter and reliably protect the trunk and roots from mice and other rodents. First, it is necessary to cover the trees with improvised means (shavings, spruce branches or dry straw), and then, if possible, cover them with snow as soon as it falls.

Due to their low growth, at first the seedlings can be kept in a greenhouse or even grown in pots. Since apricots bloom in early spring, it may be necessary to protect them from frost during this period. To avoid losing the entire harvest, gardeners recommend setting up a smoke screen.

By following these simple tips, you will be able to grow a beautiful apricot orchard on your plot, which will delight the eye with its appearance and bring a rich harvest in the fall!

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Choosing the time for pruning apricot

Most gardeners agree that the best time to prune apricots is early spring. This agrotechnical procedure must be performed after the temperature rises, but before the first leaves appear on the tree.

Remember that the tree must be in a state of sleep during pruning. This will ensure minimal damage to the fruit crop, and subsequently such cut apricot will quickly begin to grow in the spring and begin to increase green mass.

As mentioned above, it is possible to carry out full pruning of apricots in the fall. This work is done after the harvest and complete fall of the leaves. Just remember that you should not delay this work. Frosts can adversely affect non-healing wounds on the shoot and trunk, which will lead to weakening of the fruit crop, even to its death.

There is currently no consensus among gardeners whether it is worth pruning in winter. In winter, trees are in a state of sleep, which theoretically allows this procedure to be carried out. However, a sharp cold snap after such rough winter pruning can lead to the death of trees.

That is why most gardeners do not recommend doing this work in winter. If, for some specific reason, you need to trim apricots in the winter, then immediately after completing this work, all cuts should be treated with garden varnish. Such pruning is prohibited at temperatures below 10 degrees.

You can prune apricots in the summer, which allows you to significantly increase the yield of trees next year. You just need to remember that immediately after completing this work, it is necessary to provide the tree with intensive watering for several weeks.

Summer pruning is recommended to be done in early June, once every three years. The results of the work carried out are maintained for three years, after which a slight decrease in yield indicators is noted.

Unique Features

The peculiarity of this apricot is its columnar shape, a column with short side branches. The height of the tree is from 2 to 3 m, depending on climatic conditions.

1. During the flowering period, apricot looks especially attractive. Its flowers are fragrant, white or pink, and they bloom in spring, in April or May.
2. Leaf shapes vary from variety to variety; their common feature is a pointed tip. The leaves bloom later than the flowers.
3. The fruits usually ripen in July-August. They are fleshy, with thick skin, usually orange or yellow in color. The weight of one fruit is from 5 to 20 grams. Sometimes there are giant apricots weighing more than 120 g. The yield is very high.
4. Thanks to its compactness and low growth, it is convenient to harvest from the tree.
5. Frost resistance and disease resistance are above average.
6. The disadvantages are associated with the capriciousness of the columnar apricot. It needs rich soil, a good climate and annual pruning, without which the tree's growth and yield will be low.

Characteristics

Variety "Prince Mart"

"Prince Mart" is a variety most suitable for growing in northern conditions. Has positive reviews.

1. Winter hardiness is one of the main criteria for choosing plants for planting in Russian conditions. According to this criterion, “Prince Mart” is rated highly: it can withstand temperatures down to -35OC.
2. The variety shows excellent resistance to infections and diseases.
3. With proper care, the first harvests can be harvested already in the second year after planting. The harvest ripens in August. The fruits are orange in color with a beautiful blush on the sunny side. Average weight is from 30 to 60 g. The seeds are easily separated.
4. “Prince Mart” is a short tree up to 2 m. Due to its relative unpretentiousness, the variety is recommended for growing by beginning gardeners.

Variety "Star"

“Zvezdny” is the second popular variety of columnar apricot in Russia and Ukraine. Its characteristics are not inferior to the Prince Mart variety.

1. High resistance to frost (up to -30°C) and various types of diseases.
2. Fruiting begins in the third year after planting.
3. The trait that makes 'Star' special is the size of its fruit. They are very large, their average weight is from 40 to 100 g. The skin is painted bright yellow. The pulp is aromatic and juicy. The fruits benefit from their taste and versatility of use.
4. Needs good and proper care.

Columnar compact apricot takes up little space, but the recommended distance between trees is 1 m. Columns planted according to this scheme will grow and bear fruit comfortably.

1. Prepare a planting hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Before planting, the rhizome is soaked for 1-2 hours in a solution of water and fertilizer to improve growth.
2. Arrange pebble drainage in the hole, add a layer of soil mixture of fertile soil and mineral fertilizers (potassium, phosphorus). Sprinkle soil on top to prevent direct contact of roots with fertilizer. Then plant the plant and cover it with soil and compact it.
3. Water the seedling generously but carefully so as not to wash away the mound. The tree will grow successfully and begin to bear fruit if it was planted correctly and in a good place. The best site for planting should be sunny and located at a distance of 15 m from the fence. The plant should not be planted at higher elevations or in lowlands due to the risk of frost and waterlogging. It is advisable to carry out planting work in the spring and not in the fall, since future frosts can destroy the plant.

Growing

Proper watering, processing, fertilizing and pruning are the main elements of caring for any variety of columnar apricot.

1. Waterlogging or lack of moisture are the main causes of many apricot diseases. The first mistake leads to root rot, the second to shredding of the fruit. Typically, plants are watered once every 2 weeks. During the rainy season, the amount of watering is reduced and increased during drought. Watering is carried out by drip method or surface along grooves.
2. Fertilizing allows trees to grow better, bear fruit more abundantly and improve disease resistance. Plants especially need mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
3. Prince March and other columnar apricots require regular pruning. Always remove damaged branches, as well as branches leaning close to the ground. The side branches are pruned by 5–10 cm and excess shoots that thicken are cut out. Thinning shoots improves the appearance of the tree and its productivity.

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Columnar apricots (such as Prince March) require regular pruning

How to plant an apricot (video)

To please the columnar apricot with juicy fruits, timely planting alone is not enough. The tree needs to be constantly taken care of.

Care includes:

• feeding;
• watering;
• preventive treatment;
• pruning;
• preparation for winter.

Fertilizers are applied every month, starting in spring and ending in autumn. Chicken manure is suitable as organic matter; 1 kg of the substance is taken in 3 buckets of water. Apricot needs potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. The crop tolerates drought normally, but dies when moisture stagnates. The tree should be watered no more than once every 2 weeks, unless, of course, there is extreme heat, a sprinkler system is best. If it is absent, add up to 5 buckets of water under the apricot.

Before cold weather, they also begin to abundantly moisten the soil in the tree trunk circle. The soil must be loosened carefully so as not to touch the roots located close to the surface. Columnar apricot is treated with copper sulfate in early spring and after the ovary has formed. The tree trunk is wrapped with dense material to prevent it from being chewed by hares, and the ground under the plant is mulched with a thick layer of hay, sawdust, and humus.

Trimming

After the crown is formed, and this must be done, otherwise the tree will bear fruit poorly, every year the shoots are shortened so that their length does not exceed 20 cm, and no less than 3 buds remain on each. Be sure to remove dried branches and those on which the ovary no longer forms. Pruning of columnar apricot is carried out in both March and October.

Disease Control

Stone fruit plants are affected by fruit rot, which occurs when the ascomycete fungus multiplies. Flowers fall off the tree, the ovary fades, branches and leaves dry out. Columnar apricots also suffer from moniliosis, and the crop suffers from hole spotting, which is facilitated by rainy and damp weather.

Spraying plants with a solution of copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture, removing dried stems, mummified fruits, blackened leaves, damaged bark, and digging up tree trunk circles helps prevent the activation of fungi. Treatment of trees is carried out in early spring, when the buds have not yet awakened, and is repeated after the formation of the ovary.

Wounds and cracks that appear on shoots and trunks are cleaned, capturing a couple of centimeters of healthy wood. After this, the damaged area is disinfected with copper sulfate, potassium permanganate solution or Fundazol, and covered with Rannet paste or garden pitch. In order for apricots to develop better and get sick less, it is necessary to plant varieties that are adapted to certain climate conditions.

It is necessary to care for seedlings regularly. Fertilizing is carried out three times during the growing season; commercial fertilizer, slurry 1/10, saltpeter or chicken droppings (in proportions 1/30) are suitable for this:

• the first fertilizing can be done after planting;
• the second - how the first leaves appear (in about 2 weeks);
• the last one - a similar period (14 days) after the second.

In the first year after planting, care should be taken to remove all flowers from the seedling in the spring, and in the future it is necessary to promptly pluck out excess branches. Preventative spraying against pests can be carried out with preparations intended for apple trees - this will preserve the health of the trees and increase the yield.

Plants, especially young ones, should be protected from frost. Suitable for this purpose:

• shavings;
• coniferous spruce branches;
• straw;
• Also, after snow falls, you can use it to bury trees.

When protecting plants from frost, make sure that mice, hares and other rodents do not gain access to the trunk and roots of the apricot tree.

Disease Control

Infections and pests cause significant damage to plants, leading to the death of the crop and the tree itself.

1. Moniliosis is the most common disease. It enters the active phase in the spring, during the period of rains and fogs. Flowers and leaves begin to fade, branches die, the trunk cracks, and gum comes out of the cracks. In the summer, infection and subsequent rotting of the fruit occurs.
2. Clusterosporia blight appears first on the leaves. Purple spots appear on them, then holes form. The bark of some shoots cracks with the appearance of gum.
3. The most dangerous pests for apricots are aphids, which weaken the plant’s immunity, and codling moths, which leave eggs on the fruit.

Preventive spraying with Bordeaux mixture helps protect apricots from these diseases. Trees are sprayed at least three times in the spring: several times in the summer season and in the fall before wintering. Affected branches, leaves and fruits must be cut out and burned to prevent the spread of the disease.

In autumn and spring, the trunk is whitewashed with lime. When the first traces of the disease appear, the plant is immediately treated with drugs that can be bought in the store.

Columnar apricots require a little effort to grow, but the results are worth it.

Goals and objectives of pruning

Apricot pruning is a complex undertaking that solves several problems. Its goals are the following:

1. Formation of the crown; without pruning it will grow greatly.
2. Without pruning, the inner branches of the apricot tree quickly age and die.
3. Abnormal growth of shoots leads to the fact that the fruits become small. Pruning allows you to get a better harvest.
4. An abundance of apricots on an unpruned tree can lead to numerous branches breaking under the weight of the ripening fruit. Pruning normalizes yield.

In addition, it helps to rejuvenate and extend the overall life of the tree.

Description of columnar apricot

Apricot 'Prince March' is a useful tree that has beautiful foliage and makes a distinctive addition to any yard or garden. "Prince Mart" is a low tree, reaching only 2 m in height. Flowering occurs in March and April.

The fruits ripen in late summer and have a bright orange color with a slight blush. The weight of mature fruits ranges from 30 to 60 g. The leaves can be of different shapes, but always have a pointed tip. The tree has a strong, straight trunk, from which short side shoots emerge.

What you need to know about planting varieties

"Prince" is usually planted in winter or early spring. In regions with a mild climate, planting in the autumn season is acceptable. Other important aspects of growing the Prince March variety will be discussed later in the review.

How to choose a place to plant Prince March apricots

Successfully establishing young fruit trees in your garden must begin with choosing the right planting site. You need to make sure that you are creating a quality foundation for the future plant.

Apricots bloom in early spring. And since late spring frosts are a problem for the tree, “Prince” is not recommended to be planted at higher elevations. Frost can kill flowers on a tree and almost completely deprive you of your harvest.

In addition, if you plant an apricot in the fall, then winter can be a tough test for the plant. Low temperatures can seriously damage wood.

Plant the tree at a distance of 15 cm from the wall or fence. Avoid areas where eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, raspberries and strawberries have previously been grown. All of these crops can spread Verticillium wilt.

Apricot also requires a lot of heat during the summer season. When planting apricots, choose a sunny location.

Preparing the planting hole

The planting hole should be of such a size that the roots fit freely in it. The hole should not only be deep, but also wide enough to accommodate the root system even when spread out. Collect the excavated layer of earth into a separate pile.

While you are preparing the hole, you need to take care to protect the roots from drying out. Soak the rhizome for 1 or 2 hours in a bathtub or large tank of water. Deep soaking in a solution with fertilizers is also recommended. This effective starting fertilizer will help the tree grow quickly and vigorously.

Planting scheme for the Prince March variety

Planting work is carried out in the following order:

1. First of all, prepare the soil. For good apricot growth, fertile loamy soil rich in phosphorus and potassium fertilizers is required. Also check the acidity of the soil. Apricots prefer slightly alkaline soil (pH ranging from 6.0–8.0).
2. Plant trees about 7 m apart.
3. Place the tree in the planting hole, carefully exposing the roots.
4. Fill the hole with soil, avoiding the formation of air pockets. Try to thoroughly compact the soil around the roots.
5. Create a kind of rim of soil around the planting hole (above ground level). This will allow the water to stand and be absorbed.

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After 3–4 years from the moment of planting, the apricot tree begins to bear fruit. Be careful when picking the fruits so as not to damage their skin and soft structure.

Features of caring for the variety

Caring for apricots of the Prince March variety is not too labor-intensive. The plant requires regular watering, proper feeding, diligent pruning and pest control.

How to water an apricot

Many problems with Prince March apricots can be associated with improper watering techniques. By watering your tree too often, you risk making it a victim of root rot. Meanwhile, insufficient watering can lead to fruit shrinkage.

Determine the moisture level in your soil. Watering is required when the soil 15 cm below the surface is barely moist. Using a putty knife or spade, dig a small hole near the plant. Place a ruler in the hole to determine at what level the soil is barely moist.

If the soil is moist at 15 cm from the surface or below, then it is time to water the plant. This usually happens once every 10–14 days. This schedule may be affected by factors such as rainfall, drought and other climatic conditions. If you don't want to dig up the soil, you can use a moisture meter instead.

"Prince" needs consistent watering throughout the growing season. Deep watering once a week helps the tree survive drought. For sandy soil this is usually about 30 liters of water. If the soil is clayey at the base, more water will be needed. In winter and spring, you may only need to water three or four times during each season.

Features of feeding columnar apricot, how and how to fertilize the plant

Fertilizer application is important in caring for the Prince March variety. Apricot trees of this variety need sufficient amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. They are usually supplied with these beneficial substances from the soil. Apply small amounts of fertilizer three times during the growing season. Standard commercial fertilizer is suitable as fertilizing.

Important nuances when pruning

Caring for apricots includes thinning the shoots. It is best to prune the plant at the end of the winter season or early spring when new flowers begin to open. Once properly pruned, the tree will look better and produce more fruit.

Here are the necessary steps to prune your newly planted Prince March apricot:

• remove all damaged or broken shoots;
• remove all branches that are within 45 cm of the ground;
• reduce the main trunk to a height of 90 cm;
• remove excess shoots as necessary (branches that occur more often than within a 15 cm interval are considered unnecessary);
• shorten the remaining side branches by 5–10 cm in length.

In subsequent years, a strong tree with a solid structure will be easier to prune.

How to start processing young apricot plants

When someone hears the word “apricot,” they think of sweet and tasty amber-colored fruits, while a gardener thinks of a spreading tree.

Lat. Prúnus armeniaca

A variety of apricots with a columnar shape appeared on the market and in gardens not very long ago. This invention of breeders looks like a slender column with a diameter of about 15 centimeters.

The main thing of such a plant is the trunk. It serves as the main feeding artery for the lateral branches coming from it.

The side branches of a properly formed tree should not be more than 20 centimeters. All of them are directed upward at an angle to the main rod.

Trees of this type rarely grow more than 2.5 meters in height. The standard height for them is 2 meters. In each specific case, the sizes depend on the growing conditions and climate.

During the bud season, the tree consists of one whole flowering column. During fruiting, apricots are located close to the trunk, and therefore they are very convenient to collect.

The successful combination of benefits and beauty in the columnar apricot has captivated more than one gardener.

Pruning of a young apricot initially begins with the formation of correct growth. This is done only with healthy vegetation, which has grown by 40 centimeters over the summer period. Having planted the crop in open ground, exactly one year later the overgrown canes are removed by almost a quarter.

Apricot pruning scheme by year

Then, after another year, several large branches are formed on the tree, which are processed immediately with the onset of autumn, giving the crop the opportunity to lay new buds. It should be remembered that the procedure is not carried out in early spring, as this has a detrimental effect on the quality of the crop.

Already in the third year, the developing plant has a shape similar to a ball. Too long, rapidly growing shoots often protrude from the leaf mass. All excess unevenly growing vegetation is removed. They create exactly the same conditions for each sprout, increasing the formation of large buds and the proper supply of nutrients.

Four years later and beyond, the stem shoots are regularly treated and combated with too rapid growth. To obtain high-quality high yields, the plant is provided with the most correct, uniform nutrition. Fruiting branches are removed every few years, thereby renewing the plant crop.

Reproduction of columnar apricot variety "Prince March"

The Prince March variety is propagated by two general methods: seeds and grafting.

Seeds. The seeds are washed and immediately planted. Sometimes seeds are stored in damp sand in a dark room until autumn, then planted in early October. Plant the seeds in neutral soil enriched with organic and mineral fertilizers.

Make a furrow in the ridge, fill it with water and sow the seeds to a depth of about 7 cm. Then the bed is mulched with humus, sawdust or peat. Over the summer, the seedling grows up to 1 m. The following winter, the columnar apricot seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place.

Vaccination. In the first or second year of growth, seedlings are grafted with a cutting of a fruiting apricot. It is recommended to vaccinate in April or May. Another option is vaccination at a later age. This operation is performed “by the bark” of individual skeletal shoots. This will speed up the fruiting time.