Early Amur apricot: description, photo, characteristics, planting and care

History of selection

“Amur early” apricot appeared in 1949 as a result of the work of breeders from the Far Eastern Agricultural Research Institute. The authors of the variety are V. A. Marusich and G. T. Kazmin. During breeding work for pollination, they used the frost-resistant apricot “Best Michurinsky” (Luchshii Michurinskii) and a mixture of pollen from the southern varieties “Royal” (Regius), “Alexander early” (Alexander mane), “Red-cheeked” (Krasnoschekiy) and “Overinsky early ripening” ( Overinskii praecoquis). Successful work made it possible to include the hybrid in the State Register of Varietal Crops (1979). The Amur Early was accepted for state testing in 1991.

Comment! The variety is sometimes called “Amur”, “Far Eastern” or “Ussuriysky”.

Early Amur apricot is recommended to be grown in the Central regions and the Far East

Growing

The Amur variety is grown both in central Russia and in the Urals and Siberia. The landing site must meet several conditions:

• be located on a hill;
• Groundwater should not flow nearby;
• strong winds should not blow through the selected location;
• the soil must have good drainage.

It is advisable to purchase seedlings from trusted places. You need to carefully examine the roots; they should be well developed. A hole measuring 70 x 70 cm must be dug 2-3 weeks before planting. If you have several seedlings, then the distance between them should not be less than 3 m.

Description of the most suitable soil composition:

• humus;
• garden soil;
• superphosphate;
• potassium;
• it is possible to add peat, grass, dead wood.

In the middle of the hole you need to place a peg to which the seedling is firmly tied; it should be at the top of the earthen hill. Then the seedling should be sprinkled, but the root collar should be about 3 cm above the soil level. After this, the seedling needs to be watered with 2-3 buckets of water. To better get it into the soil, you can make tree trunk circles. If necessary, mulching can be done.

The usual ripening time for Amur apricots is the first half of August, so the tree belongs to the mid-season varieties. It produces its first harvest 3-4 years after planting. By the 5th year, fruits acquire excellent taste and appearance, and fruiting becomes abundant and constant. During the season, one tree produces 35-40 kg. According to some gardeners, they were able to get a full harvest several years after planting.

Amur apricots require regular watering. Although they can survive short droughts, the tree should receive the most moisture from May to August. Excessive watering can cause root rot.

The fruits are quite resistant to frost, but if there is excessive humidity they can freeze. A slight freezing that ends in partial damage to the branches does not significantly affect the quality and quantity of the harvest. The tree also easily tolerates warming, and the leaves can be exposed to the rays of active sun for a long time.

The soil under the Amur apricot needs to be constantly dug up to quickly detect weeds; this must be done carefully so that the root system is not damaged. Frequent fertilization is unnecessary - it is enough to feed with manure or compost in spring or autumn. Among inorganic fertilizers, potassium and superphosphate are preferable. An adult plant requires increased doses of minerals.

Sanitary pruning and shaping of the tree crown should be carried out annually. This variety is rarely affected by diseases; moniliosis or clasterosporiasis may sometimes occur. The most effective remedy for the prevention of moniliosis is copper sulfate. Whitewashing the trunks will also help, as it will protect against rodents.

Apricot is considered a heat-loving fruit tree, but frost-resistant varieties were bred in the last century. They have already been time-tested and deserve recognition. This type of apricot tree is Amur.

The variety was bred by domestic breeders of the Far Eastern Research Institute of Agriculture in 1949 by pollinating the highly frost-resistant variety Best Michurinsky with pollen from southern varieties (Krasnoshchekiy, Alexander ranniy, Overinsky early ripening). Authorship belongs to Kazmin G.T.

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Amur successfully passed state tests and in 1979 was entered into the State Register (Far Eastern region). It may be called differently - Far Eastern, Ussuri or Amur early.

Apricot of the Amur variety has an average growth force and grows no higher than 3 m. The tree forms a dense, well-leafed crown of a rounded and somewhat elongated shape with a diameter of 3.5 m. The branches grow from the trunk at almost an angle of 90°. The variety tends to form a semi-standard form. The leaves are large, oval with finely serrated edges and pointed ends. They remain on the tree almost until frost.

The fruits ripen in the middle period and have a rounded-elongated shape with a beak at the end. They are tightly attached to the branches on a short stalk. Apricots are bright yellow with a red blush from the sun's rays and brownish dots.

They have average one-dimensional dimensions and an average weight of 26.2 g. The ventral seam is small and colored. The skin is uneven and inseparable. But the smooth, rounded, flattened bone of medium size is easily separated. The pulp is dense, medium juicy with a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

The variety can tolerate frosts down to -38°C. In winter, the ends of annual growths of the Amur apricot sometimes freeze, but this does not affect its yield and condition. During severe frosts, freezing of growths up to a third of the length was observed, but the trunks and branches generally withstood them. During the warm period, the plant recovers and lays fruit buds.

The Amur variety has high drought resistance. Leaves and branches do not die off in the absence of natural precipitation. If there is a lack of moisture, the ovaries are preserved and annual growth is achieved. But the fruit tree does not like waterlogging against the backdrop of falling temperatures. Therefore, it is not advisable to plant it in lowlands where there is stagnant water.

Pollination of the variety

Apricot Amur is partially self-fertile. It needs other pollinators nearby. Cross pollination will significantly increase its yield. It is best to plant at least 2 varieties that bloom at the same time and have good winter hardiness, for example, Kigichensky, Khabarovsky or Akademik.

The tree blooms in mid-May (in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories) with large pink flowers. The rounded petals are loosely closed. The calyx is goblet-shaped. The fruit ripening period is average - from August 10–15.

This tree begins to bear fruit 3–4 years after planting. Commercial fruiting begins in the 5th year and continues annually without interruption. The yield is high - 35–40 kg per tree (with rational care).

Tasters rate the taste of Amur apricots at 3.5 points. They can be consumed fresh and are suitable for processing and transportable. They are used to make jam, juice, jam, compotes and dried. The fruits contain 12.3% sugars, 2.2% malic acid and 15.45 dry matter.

The variety is resistant to fungal diseases. It is not affected by clasterosporiosis, it is moderately resistant to moniliosis, but in rainy weather it can be affected by it.

Before purchasing a seedling, special attention is paid to the trunk and bark. If cracks and dark spots are visible, then this directly indicates a weak and painful specimen. The root needs to look stronger. It is better to purchase seedlings with small buds approximately 70 cm high.

For planting, a slightly elevated place in the garden is selected, maximally protected from the wind. For good growth, the area must be illuminated by the sun.

The soil at the planting site is loosened and pre-fertilized. Drainage is organized at the bottom.

Important! The root of the Crimean Amur grows far beyond the crown circumference. Therefore, if you plan to plant several trees, it is recommended to place them at a distance of 5 meters from each other.

During the growing process, you must follow the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners. Then the apricot will grow faster and begin to bear fruit earlier. It is imperative to strengthen the condition of the tree at every stage.

The soil from the tree trunk circle is regularly mulched. After all, the soil becomes loose and loses its ability to hold a sufficient amount of moisture, which forces the tree’s root system to spend energy searching for additional water at depth.

Filling the Crimean Amur is excessively contraindicated. The seedlings will not suffer from this, but extra shoots will begin to form. They easily take away the strength of the plant, which, in turn, quickly loses growth and yield.

Before the onset of winter, trees wrap themselves up. Usually burlap or agrofibre is used. If the region is characterized by more severe frosts, then a non-woven fabric is added on top for warmth.

The Crimean Amur must be constantly monitored and any changes noted. If cracks are found on the trunk, they must be treated with garden varnish.

Planting Amur apricots should be done responsibly.

Residents of the southern regions can plant apricot seedlings in spring and autumn. In other areas, it is recommended to plant trees only in the spring to ensure they are well established for the winter.

The site for further apricot growth should be located in the sun, protected from drafts and sharp gusts of wind. It is best to choose a hill where precipitation does not stagnate and the groundwater level is no closer than 2.5 m.

In regions with a cold climate, preference should be given to southern slopes. The soil should drain water well and be neutral or slightly alkaline. You should worry about the presence of a pollinator nearby, and if your neighbors do not have apricots, then you will have to plant another tree nearby, but of a different variety.

It should be taken into account that the root system of this tree, over time, grows very wide. Apricots cannot be planted in a place where other stone fruits (cherries, plums, cherries, peaches) previously grew.

Important! The optimal soil acidity for apricots is between 6 and 7.5 pH. Acidic soils should be limed in advance.

Apricot does not like the proximity of other trees, especially apple, walnut and other stone fruits. It is also not desirable for him to be in proximity to fruit bushes, which are carriers of diseases. The exception is dogwood. It is good to plant 2-3 apricot trees of different varieties together for better pollination.

Next to the apricot you can plant early flowers - daffodils, crocuses, tulips, muscari. They bloom at a time when the tree has not yet shaded them.

Seedlings should be purchased from specialized nurseries and agricultural stores or from reputable sellers. It is best to buy a one- or two-year-old plant. The seedling must have well-developed roots. You should make sure that they are moist and “alive”. Before planting, for better survival, the seedling can be soaked in water for 1–2 days.

Planting scheme

Industrial apricot orchards are planted keeping a distance of 3x5 m or 5x5 m. In a summer cottage, you can plant 2-3 trees in a row at a distance of 3-4 m from each other. Over time, their crowns will close together, but some scientists believe that such dense planting helps these trees better withstand the winter.

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Description of the apricot variety Amursky

The hybrid grows very slowly. It differs from other apricot trees in its compact size: width 350 cm, height 300 cm. The tree trunk is semi-standard, resistant to burns and heating. The bark is smooth, with large lentils. The branches are located at a distance of 100 cm from the ground and grow at almost an angle of 900.

The shoots of “Amur” at a young age are brown in color, develop at a moderate pace, and as they grow older they acquire a green tint and become smooth.

Judging by the photo, the foliage of the “Cupid” apricot is large in size and there is a lot of it. The front side is dark green, the inside is slightly whitish. The buds are arranged in groups of 3.

In mid-May, the tree is covered with large red buds, from which medium-sized fruits weighing up to 35 g are formed. The shape of ripe apricots is round with a recessed base, the tip is slightly elongated. The seam on the surface of the fruit is small, the skin is uneven, strong, does not separate from the pulp, and has a bright yellow color. The stone is small, smooth, and stands well behind the slightly crispy pulp. The taste of the fruit, which can be used for various purposes, is sweet and sour, medium juiciness. The shelf life is 14 days.

With frequent rainfall, the Amur apricot acquires a more sour taste.

Description

The Crimean Amur is growing quite quickly. The apricot variety is fast-bearing. In the fifth or sixth year, the trees begin to bear fruit. Yield indicators reach high levels.

The description of the apricot variety is supplemented by the following information about the fruit:

• weight varies from 50 to 90 g;
• round shape, compressed on each side;
• the abdominal suture is deep;
• thin, dense peel;
• color yellow-orange;
• presence of blurred blush;
• the pulp is juicy, tasty, with sourness;
• tasting score 5 points out of 5;
• high keeping quality.

Important! Crimean Amur differs from many apricots in that it is self-fertile. In other words, it develops well and bears fruit without pollination from other varieties; replanting of pollinators is not required.

Characteristics

This variety of apricot has excellent characteristics. "Amur" is able to withstand harsh winters and drought. The ripening period is average, brings a lot of harvest annually, and resists the main ailments of stone fruit crops.

Drought resistance

"Amur" is a variety with high drought resistance. Even with rare precipitation and lack of moisture, its branches and leaves do not die, the ovaries are preserved, and growth appears. But the crop does not tolerate excess moisture well, which is why it is not recommended to plant it in lowlands and where there is stagnant moisture.

Advice! It is better to allocate a place for the “Cupid” apricot tree on a hill.

Frost resistance of Amur early apricot

The variety is exceptionally resistant to frost and can tolerate temperatures as low as -38 degrees. Sometimes the tips of young growths of a tree may freeze, but this does not have a negative effect on its development and productivity. Even during a harsh winter, the branches and trunk of the apricot do not suffer, and with the onset of warmth, all growth regains its strength.

Excellent frost resistance makes the variety ideal for cultivation in the Far Eastern region

Pollination, flowering period and ripening time

For a good harvest, the partially self-fertile Ussuri apricot needs to have other pollinators nearby. It is better to have several varieties of apricot trees growing nearby, which bloom at the same time as “Amur” and also have high resistance to cold, for example:

1. Academicus.
2. Khabarovskiy.
3. Kigichensky (Chechenski).

The tree begins to bloom in mid-May. Fruit ripening occurs closer to the second half of August.

Productivity, fruiting

The first fruits on the Amur tree begin to appear at the age of three. Good fruiting is observed after 5 years of growth. Every year one tree produces from 35 to 45 kg of fruit.

The harvest of "Amur" remains high for many years

Area of ​​application of fruits

The fruits of "Amur" are suitable for making jam, compote and preserves. They can be consumed both fresh and dried. The taste qualities of apricots according to tasters are 3.5 points, the content of malic acid, sugar and dry matter is 2.2; 12.3 and 15.5%. The transportability of the fruit is good.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The hybrid has high immunity to clasterosporiasis and fungal infections. Moderately resistant to moniliosis. If not properly cared for, it may be susceptible to insect attack.

Important! To prevent the plant from getting sick, it should not be over-watered.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main and most important advantage of the Amur apricot is its high winter hardiness. The culture also has:

• drought resistance;
• stable and abundant yield;
• resistance to many diseases;
• commercial qualities.

As for the shortcomings of culture, summer residents note the following:

• instability to abundant water;
• low sugar content;
• small fruit size.

Description and characteristics of culture

Apricot of the Amur variety has an average growth force and grows no higher than 3 m. The tree forms a dense, well-leafed crown of a rounded and somewhat elongated shape with a diameter of 3.5 m. The branches grow from the trunk at almost an angle of 90°. The variety tends to form a semi-standard form. The leaves are large, oval with finely serrated edges and pointed ends. They remain on the tree almost until frost.

The fruits ripen in the middle period and have a rounded-elongated shape with a beak at the end. They are tightly attached to the branches on a short stalk. Apricots are bright yellow with a red blush from the sun's rays and brownish dots.

They have average one-dimensional dimensions and an average weight of 26.2 g. The ventral seam is small and colored. The skin is uneven and inseparable. But the smooth, rounded, flattened bone of medium size is easily separated. The pulp is dense, medium juicy with a pleasant sweet and sour taste.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

The variety can tolerate frosts down to -38°C. In winter, the ends of annual growths of the Amur apricot sometimes freeze, but this does not affect its yield and condition. During severe frosts, freezing of growths up to a third of the length was observed, but the trunks and branches generally withstood them. During the warm period, the plant recovers and lays fruit buds.

The Amur variety has high drought resistance. Leaves and branches do not die off in the absence of natural precipitation. If there is a lack of moisture, the ovaries are preserved and annual growth is achieved. But the fruit tree does not like waterlogging against the backdrop of falling temperatures. Therefore, it is not advisable to plant it in lowlands where there is stagnant water.

Landing Features

It is necessary to plant the Amur apricot in accordance with all the rules. It is important to adhere to deadlines, find the right place and planting material, and follow recommendations for selecting neighbors.

Recommended timing

It is recommended to plant the apricot tree of the “Amur” variety in the spring so that by winter its root system is as strong as possible. This rule does not apply to the southern regions, where planting can be done in the fall.

Choosing a suitable location

The area for the fruit tree must be reliably protected from wind and drafts and be in the sun. The best place for a garden bed will be a hill with a groundwater level of about 250 cm, where moisture does not stagnate. The soil should be slightly alkaline or neutral.

Optimal soil acidity for apricot “Amur” is from 6 to 7.5 pH

What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?

When planting a tree, you need to make sure that a pollinator grows next to it. If this is not available, then you will have to plant one or more apricot seedlings of a different variety nearby; we must not forget that the roots of “Amur” grow greatly in width.

Amur early should not be planted in areas where cherries, cherries, peaches, plums and other stone fruits previously grew. Also, the culture does not like proximity to trees, especially walnut and apple trees. It is not advisable to plant it near fruit bushes (except dogwood).

Selection and preparation of planting material

When choosing “Amur” apricot seedlings, it is better to give preference to those sold in nurseries or specialized garden stores. Ideally, the plant should be 12-24 months old, with well-developed, moist roots. In order for a young apricot to take root better, it is soaked in water for a couple of days before planting in the ground.

Landing algorithm

When planting several seedlings, they can be laid in a row, keeping a distance of 3-4 m. Planting holes should be prepared in the fall. They should have a size of 80 x 80 x 80. If the soil is clayey, then it is advisable to pour crushed stone or sand at the bottom of the holes. Along with the top layer of soil, mineral fertilizers, humus and ash must be added to the hole. After planting, water the plant generously and mulch.

Attention! The root collar of the “Amur” apricot seedling should be slightly above the soil level.

Care

During the growing process, you must follow the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners. Then the apricot will grow faster and begin to bear fruit earlier. It is imperative to strengthen the condition of the tree at every stage.

The soil from the tree trunk circle is regularly mulched. After all, the soil becomes loose and loses its ability to hold a sufficient amount of moisture, which forces the tree’s root system to spend energy searching for additional water at depth.

Filling the Crimean Amur is excessively contraindicated. The seedlings will not suffer from this, but extra shoots will begin to form. They easily take away the strength of the plant, which, in turn, quickly loses growth and yield.

Before the onset of winter, trees wrap themselves up. Usually burlap or agrofibre is used. If the region is characterized by more severe frosts, then a non-woven fabric is added on top for warmth.

The Crimean Amur must be constantly monitored and any changes noted. If cracks are found on the trunk, they must be treated with garden varnish.

Subsequent care of the crop

The apricot tree of the Amur variety needs to be provided with proper watering. The plant tolerates drought well, but for abundant fruiting, moisture should not be neglected at the time of flowering, growing season and 2 weeks before harvesting. Before wintering, the crop, and especially its roots, must be watered abundantly so that they do not freeze. During the season, “Amur” is fed several times:

1. In spring (before and after flowering) - nitrogen-containing fertilizers (manure, urea, saltpeter).
2. In summer - foliar feeding (June - nitrogen fertilizers, July - phosphorus and potassium fertilizers).

After harvesting, it is useful to fertilize the tree with wood ash and chalk.

Before the sap begins to flow, the apricot should be pruned.

Advice! In winter, it is better to cover young “Amur” seedlings with burlap or spruce branches, and mulch the tree trunk circle.

An excess of fertilizers, as well as a deficiency of them, can have a bad effect on the development of a tree.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the Crimean Amur are as follows:

1. Rapid development and growth.
2. A bountiful harvest.
3. Self-fertility.
4. Trees are not afraid of spring frosts due to late flowering.

The disadvantages of apricot varieties include:

• susceptibility to fungal infection;
• poor health in the lowlands;
• dependence on sunlight and heat;
• requirement for care.

History of appearance

Work on the creation of more frost-resistant varieties of apricots began back in 1933. In Chelyabinsk, experiments were conducted by Mikhail Nikolaevich Salamatov. A little later, they were continued by Grigory Tikhonovich Kazmin at the Far Eastern Research Institute of Agriculture (abbr. DalNIISKh). The breeder decided to pollinate the previously bred frost-resistant variety Best Michurinsky with southern apricots (Alexander early, Royal, Overinsky early and Red-cheeked).

The seeds were collected in 1950, and the following year several new seedlings appeared in the breeding nursery. For 13 years, the trees grew actively and produced a stable harvest. Successful tests made it possible to include the hybrid in the State Register of Varietal Crops.

The variety is also known as Far Eastern, Ussuri or Amur early apricot. It is characterized by exceptional frost resistance. During the tests, the branches did not freeze more than one-third of their length, and the wood was almost not affected by cold weather at all.

In addition, the hybrid is equipped with high immunity to various fungal diseases. The harvest remains consistently high for many years. All this makes the Amur apricot ideal for cultivation in the Central and Far Eastern regions of the country.

Prevention and treatment of diseases

In spring, treatment of the Crimean Amur from parasites and diseases is carried out as follows:

1. Before the buds begin to swell, sanitary pruning of trees and thinning of branches is carried out.
2. Taking a special metal brush, remove larvae, caterpillars, egg laying, and green lichen.
3. Before bud break, plants are sprayed with 3% Bordeaux mixture. The crown is treated with the same solution, only with a concentration of 1%, 14 days after flowering. Copper oxychloride, Tsineb, and Kaptan are also used for this.

In the summer (no later than 2 weeks before picking fruit), the trees are sprayed with Chorus, colloidal sulfur, and antifungal drugs.

Important! Do not use chemicals to treat apricots before fruiting. It is better to use a hose to wash off pests and traces of previous spraying with water.

In the autumn, after leaf fall, apricot trunks are treated with urea at the rate of 700 grams per 10 liters of water. In late autumn, copper preparations are applied to the plants. In case of cold weather, iron sulfate is used.

Varietal characteristics

The variety originates from the Far East: it was obtained as a result of long experiments using pollination in one of the research institutes in the late 40s. XX century After 30 years, the variety was included in the State Register.

The tree grows of medium height with smooth brown bark, forming a semi-stem, and develops slowly. The branches are inclined to the trunk at right angles, some have lentils.

The color of the branches varies depending on their age: young ones can be red and even green, while long-term ones can be darker. Large smooth leaves over 9 cm long with sharp edges form a dense head of foliage that persists until frost.

The large flowers, appearing in May, have round pinkish-red petals, sometimes with a white tint. Flowering begins in the second year of planting. The variety is partially self-fertile. It is a suitable pollinator for many other species.

Apricots are tightly attached to the branches on a short stalk and are located close to each other. The average size of round and elongated fruits is 37 mm in height and width. The weight range is from 25 g to 32 g, this variety is considered small-fruited.

Description of the surface of the fruit: rich yellow color with blush and miniature brown dots, the abdominal seam is barely noticeable. Under the velvety skin there is orange juicy pulp, which contains over 12% sugar. It also includes malic acid. The round bone is easy to pull out.

This variety is suitable for eating fresh and for processing in various forms. It is considered to be a dining room. The taste of the fruit combines sweetness and sourness, changing depending on the weather conditions of ripening. The fruits do not fall off without being harvested, but remain on the branches and withstand transportation well.

Crimean Amur

This hybrid was obtained through selection in the south of Russia. The tree reaches medium height and has a voluminous crown. Apricots of this self-fertile variety ripen by mid-summer and weigh up to 90 g. The pulp of the fruits of the Crimean Amur variety has a dense structure, tastes like honey, and emits a strong aroma. Fruits tolerate transportation well and are not susceptible to drought and disease.

Cupid Schlicht

The description of the Amur Shlikhta variety, bred in the Far East, is similar to the description of the Crimean Amur variety: a medium-height tree whose branches are located at right angles. Red-yellow apricots weigh on average 40 g, ripen by mid-summer, and have juicy pulp.

Diseases and pests

Despite the fact that the Amur apricot is relatively resistant to moniliosis, it can suffer from other diseases, for example, bacterial cancer and fruit rot. For prevention, it is recommended to follow the watering norm and periodically inspect the trees. In early spring, preventive treatment with fungicides can be carried out:

• Bordeaux mixture;
• "Strobe";
• "Tattu";
• "Profit";
• "Topaz".

Also, the Amur apricot needs to be protected from pests - moths, leaf rollers, aphids and others. To do this, treat with folk remedies (infusion of tobacco dust, wood ash, chili pepper, mustard powder) or insecticides:

• "Inta-Vir";
• "Confidor";
• "Ephoria";
• "Fufanon";
• "Decis" and others.

Harvest and storage

Harvesting of this mid-season variety begins in the second half of August in the morning or evening hours. Fruits should not be cold or warm from direct sunlight. Because of this, they may lose their quality characteristics. The harvest can be harvested in a slightly unripe form. They ripen quite normally in room conditions. Apricots tolerate transportation well.

For transportation and longer-term fresh storage, apricots are removed from the tree approximately three days before they are fully ripe. Fruits for consumption and for drying are collected at the stage of full ripeness. You can use them to make preparations for the winter - juice, preserves, jam, compote and marshmallows.

Under room conditions, apricots of this variety can be stored for up to 12 days. They can last up to 28 days in the refrigerator. The fruits can be frozen. To do this, they are washed and the seeds are removed. Then they are placed in plastic bags and placed in the freezer. In this case, apricots can be stored for up to 8 months. This frozen product is great for baking and making desserts.

Apricot Amur produces stable yields and is characterized by high drought and winter hardiness. This tree must be planted separately from other crops and care must be taken for pollinating varieties. It is unpretentious in care and requires the usual care procedures - watering, shaping, fertilizing, protective measures.