Description of the apricot variety Pogremok, planting and care rules

History of selection

The originator of the Pogremok variety was the Rossoshansky fruit and berry station, located in the Voronezh region. The institution has been engaged in breeding work since 1937. Over the entire period of its existence, the station has produced more than 60 varieties of berries, fruits and ornamental crops (apricots, apple trees, plums, etc.). Many of them are successfully grown in the North Caucasus, Central and Lower Volga regions.

The founder of the station was Mikhail Mikhailovich Ulyanishchev, who was engaged in selection since the 20s of the 20th century. His goal was to develop new varieties of apricots that could withstand the conditions of the middle zone. After the cold winter of 1927-28, M.M. Ulyanishchev was able to select two frost-resistant seedlings. The fruits collected from them were used to obtain new hybrids, including the Pogremok variety.

When working on the Pogremok apricot, the Bulgarian hybrid Silistrensky and the domestic variety Krepkiy were used. Rattle got its name due to the free arrangement of the bone. If you shake the fruit, you can hear the sound of the stone, like a rattle.

Usage

Due to the fact that this type of apricot has excellent taste, its fruits are often consumed fresh. High shelf life allows you to eat fresh apricots even on the eve of winter. Moreover, the presence of a slight bitterness is considered by some experts as a piquant highlight of Pogremok.

In addition, apricots can be used to make preserves, jams or compotes. They also make very tasty dried fruits. Many experts recommend such apricots or dried fruits as a dietary or medicinal product.

Thus, taking into account all the information provided regarding the Ragremok apricot, we can conclude that this fruit tree will be an excellent addition to any garden. With proper planting and pruning, the tree can produce a fairly high yield, and the high shelf life of the fruit will allow you to eat fresh apricots even several months after they were harvested.

Description of culture

Apricot variety Pogremok is a vigorous tree with a sparse spherical crown. The tree size of the Ragremok apricot is about 3-4 m.

Characteristics of apricot Rattle:

• average weight 45-50 g, on young trees – up to 80 g;
• round, laterally flattened shape;
• pale orange color without blush;
• severe pubescence;
• orange dense pulp;
• the bone is located freely in a large cavity.

The fruits have a sweet and sour taste. Tasting score – 4 points. Fruits tolerate transportation and long-term storage well.

The variety Pogremok is recommended for cultivation in the south and middle zone. When planting in colder regions, harvest dates are shifted by 7-10 days.

Photo of apricot Ragremok:

Plant care

For good tree development, high yield and long-term fruiting, apricot requires careful care. It consists of pruning, fertilizing, treating diseases and pests. The main rule is timeliness. Only in this case will the Countess apricot delight gardeners with a regular harvest of tasty and aromatic fruits.

Trimming

In the first years of a tree's life, a crown is formed. The most common option is the sparse-tiered form. To do this, leave 5–7 branches of the first order. The spacing between each other is 35–40 cm.

1. In the first year after planting, branches located at a level of 90 cm from the ground are pruned. Initially, two branches that are located along the main row are cut by 1/2. Everything else is cut into a ring. The main conductor is left 20–25 cm above the main branches.
2. In the next year, the second tier is formed. It is isolated at a level of 35–45 cm from the first. The subordination of the branches and the central conductor remains unchanged. The remaining branches are turned into overgrowing ones, shortening them by 1/3. Annual shoots 60 cm or more in length are shortened by half. Overgrown small branches are not shortened. The central conductor is cut off above the last growing branch.

Regular pruning of apricots is one of the most important conditions for obtaining a good harvest.

After the crown has been formed and the tree has begun to bear fruit, regulatory, sanitary and thinning pruning should be carried out annually:

• branches with an angle of departure from the trunk of more than 45 degrees are cut into a ring;
• cut out or shorten branches growing deep into the crown, as well as those located close to each other;
• remove all branches affected by pests and diseases, as well as those damaged by frost;
• if necessary, shorten the central conductor.

Old trees can be restored to bear fruit using rejuvenating pruning. It is carried out in the fall on trees older than 7 years. This procedure is aimed at enhancing growth and stimulating the appearance of young branches. Anti-aging pruning involves thinning the peripheral part of the crown. Skeletal and semi-skeletal branches are pruned into 5-6 year old wood. At the same time, parts of semi-skeletal and overgrown branches are removed and transferred to lateral branches. Cut out all dried branches that thicken the crown.

Apricot pruning - video

Watering rules

Apricot does not tolerate drought well, but it also does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil, so it should be watered only as needed.

During the growing season, it is necessary to carry out three main waterings:

• during the flowering period;
• during the period of active growth of shoots;
• 2 weeks before harvesting the fruits.

Watering is carried out using drip irrigation systems or through grooves in the tree trunk. The depth of soil moisture is 30–40 cm.

Pre-winter watering is carried out in late autumn (a week before the onset of frost). The depth of moisture is 70–80 cm. If groundwater is located close, the soil is moistened to a depth of 40–50 cm.

Fertilizer application

Apricots must be fertilized regularly, since the crop is very demanding on the composition of the soil. If there is a shortage of necessary components, the quality and volume of the harvest decreases.

Fertilizers are applied for the first time after 2–3 years, provided that the tree has been planted in a prepared planting hole.

Basic fertilizers:

1. Organic. Rotted manure is used once every 2–3 years. The norm is 5 kg per 1 m2. Chicken manure (300 g per 1 m2) is added, mixed with compost or peat.
2. Nitrogen. Apply in early spring: during the flowering period, after flowering, after the ovary falls. Urea or saltpeter (35–40 g per 1 m2 of tree trunk area) is evenly scattered over the area when loosening or digging.
3. Potassium. Apply during fruit ripening, at the end of the growing season. 40% potassium salt (40–60 g per 1 m2) is scattered into the grooves of the near-trunk area 25–30 cm deep.

To compensate for the deficiency of microelements (manganese, iron, boron), trees should be sprayed with complex fertilizers (Kemira, Kristalon, etc., according to the instructions) throughout the season.

Fertilizers are applied annually. Doses are adjusted depending on the condition of the tree.

Timely feeding of apricots is the key to a bountiful and high-quality harvest.

Frost protection

Apricot Countess is a variety that can tolerate fairly low temperatures (down to -30 degrees), but the tree is prone to freezing of the lower branches and roots, so you should prepare the plant for the winter season.

Young trees are covered with cones. They are made from a wooden frame and wrapped in burlap, spunbond or canvas. The bottom of the cone is sprinkled with earth.

For mature trees, it is enough to whitewash the trunk and lower branches with lime, mulch the area around the trunk and wrap the trunk with burlap.

Characteristics

When choosing an apricot variety, take into account its yield, self-fertility, resistance to drought, frost and disease.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

The Ragremok apricot is characterized by high winter hardiness of both the tree itself and the flower buds. The tree is drought-resistant and can tolerate lack of moisture.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening time

The variety Pogremok is partially self-fertile. To obtain a high yield, it is recommended to plant a pollinator nearby. Flowering begins in May.

Fruit ripening occurs in the mid-late period. The harvest is harvested in late July - early August.

Productivity, fruiting

Before buying a seedling, it is important to know what year the Ragremok apricot bears fruit. The first harvest is harvested 4-5 years after planting.

The variety Pogrebok brings a high yield. It is better to collect the fruits immediately after ripening, before they fall off.

Area of ​​application of fruits

The variety Pogremok has universal application. Its fruits are suitable for fresh consumption, making jam, jam, compote. According to reviews of the Ragremok apricot, the fruit is best used to obtain dried apricots.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Apricot Pogremok has average resistance to diseases and pests. At high humidity, signs of clusterosporiasis appear on the leaves and fruits.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the apricot variety Pogremok:

• self-fertility;
• large fruits;
• stable yield;
• good taste;
• resistance to frost and drought.

Disadvantages of the Pogremok variety:

• susceptibility to fungal diseases;
• takes a long time to bear fruit.

Advantages

The main advantages of the Pogremok variety include the following:

• self-fertility;
• large fruit;
• high productivity;
• high levels of winter hardiness and drought resistance. With the exception of young trees and recently planted seedlings that need to cover the lower branches for the winter;
• excellent taste of fruits;
• versatility of the variety.

Also, the advantages of this apricot include the high transportability of the fruit and its high shelf life. All these advantages, coupled with the tree’s undemanding nature to soil conditions, make it possible to grow apricots almost everywhere.

Landing Features

Planting apricot Rattle is carried out in spring or autumn. A suitable location is chosen for the tree and a planting hole is prepared.

Recommended timing

In the southern regions, the crop is planted in mid or late October, after leaf fall. Then the seedling will take root before winter.

In northern areas, it is better to postpone work until spring, when the snow melts and the soil warms up. Apricot Pogremok in the Moscow region and the middle zone can be planted both in spring and autumn. Before landing, take into account weather conditions.

Choosing a suitable location

The place for growing apricots must meet a number of conditions:

• flat area or hill;
• absence of strong winds;
• drained soil;
• natural light throughout the day.

The culture grows in light loamy soil. Acidic soils are limed before planting. No moisture should accumulate in the area.

What crops can and cannot be planted next to apricots?

Apricot does not get along well next to fruit and berry crops. It is removed from apple, plum, cherry, hazel and raspberry trees at a distance of more than 4 m.

It is best to allocate a separate area for growing different varieties of apricot. Under the trees you can plant spring flowers (primroses, tulips, daffodils) or shade-loving perennials.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Seedlings of the Pogremok variety are purchased from nurseries. Plants with an open root system are selected for planting and its condition is assessed. The seedlings should be free of damage, mold and other defects.

Immediately before planting, prepare a mash of water and clay, which has the consistency of sour cream. The roots of the seedling are dipped into the resulting mixture.

Landing algorithm

Procedure for planting the apricot variety Pogremok:

1. At the selected location, a hole is dug with a diameter of 60 cm and a depth of 70 cm.
2. Compost, 1 kg of wood ash and 0.5 kg of superphosphate are added to the fertile soil.
3. The soil mixture is poured into the hole and left for 2-3 weeks to shrink.
4. The prepared seedling is lowered into the hole.
5. The roots of the plant are covered with soil and watered abundantly.

Subsequent care of the crop

Growing Ragremok apricots involves constant tree care: watering, fertilizing, pruning. The culture does not need frequent watering. Moisture is added during the flowering period if drought occurs.

Fertilizing of the Pogremok variety is carried out in the spring after the snow melts. A solution of mullein or ammonium nitrate is prepared for the culture. When flowering and fruit ripening, the tree is fed with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.

Pruning shoots stimulates fruiting of the Pogremok variety. The tree has 6-7 skeletal branches. Weak, broken and frozen shoots are eliminated.

For the winter, apricots are watered abundantly and the roots are covered with humus. To protect against rodents, the tree trunk is covered with a special mesh.

Plant care

Although the Tsarsky apricot has excellent adaptive qualities, for good fruiting and productivity it requires care and regular maintenance, which consists of carrying out a number of basic agrotechnical measures: watering, fertilizing, protection from pests and diseases.

Watering

Apricot Tsarsky prefers moderate humidity and reacts negatively to both prolonged drought and excessive watering. Irrigation activities should be carried out throughout the growing season. The plant is watered for the first time during its flowering phase, and subsequent times during the period of growth and ripening of the fruit. The last time during the season the crop is moistened after complete harvesting, before preparing it for wintering.

When watering apricots, first of all, you need to be guided by weather conditions. The soil around the tree should always be moderately moist. For irrigation, use settled, not cold water, with a temperature of about +15°C.

After each moistening, the tree trunk circle is loosened, which makes it possible to saturate the soil with nutrients, enrich it with oxygen, thereby activating the growth of root processes.

Pruning and shaping the crown of a young apricot

Check out How to properly trim an old apricot?

In this case, the height of the plant from the ground should be no more than 90 cm. The procedure for cutting off the shoots is repeated in the second year of crop growth. To do this, remove all weak, dry branches, leaving only 5–6 of the strongest and healthiest shoots around the circumference of the trunk.

Starting from the third year, at the beginning of spring, all shoots characterized by active growth are shortened. It is mandatory to remove all branches and buds located below half a meter from the soil. Every autumn, sanitary pruning is carried out, during which they get rid of dry, broken, weak, damaged, and diseased branches. More mature plants, whose annual growth of shoots is less than 40 cm, are subjected to anti-aging pruning.

Important! After the pruning procedure, all cut areas, in order to avoid infection of the plant with infectious diseases, are covered with garden varnish or treated with crushed charcoal.

Top dressing

The list of mandatory apricot care procedures includes regular feeding. During the growing season, the tree is fertilized 3–4 times. The first portion of nutrients is applied in early spring, using mineral, nitrogen-containing agents that promote intensive growth of green mass.

In the summer, it is advisable to spray the tree with preparations based on potassium and phosphorus, the action of which is aimed at activating fruit growth. The plant is treated three times: before the flowering phase, during the formation of apricots, and after harvesting. In the autumn, after harvesting the fruits, the soil of the apricot orchard is enriched with organic means: humus, manure or compost.

Also find out why the apricot tree does not bear fruit.

Preparing a tree for winter

Despite its good frost resistance, apricots should be carefully insulated before wintering. Measures to prepare the plant for winter begin in the fall.

For this:

• in the fall, loosen the soil around the tree trunk and moisten it abundantly;
• the trunk and skeletal branches are whitened using a solution of water, lime, copper sulfate, powdered clay and office glue;
• the soil around the trunk is mulched with a layer of peat;
• a few weeks before the expected frost, the trunk and skeleton of the plant are covered with breathable material, for example, burlap or agrofibre.

To further protect the crop from rodents, a fine-mesh metal mesh is installed around the tree.

It is especially important to take care of the insulation of annual seedlings, since their incompletely developed root system can be severely damaged by frost. For the winter, plants are completely covered by building a special canopy for them.

Did you know? Many people know that apricot kernels are widely used to produce natural oil used in cosmetology. But few people know that they are an excellent raw material for making mascara.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

Common apricot diseases:

The most dangerous crop pests:

Growing

Experts do not give any special recommendations for selecting Pogremka soil, but the best option would be aerated soils with lime, rich in nutrients. If you want the seedlings to be sure to take root, you can wrap each of them with peat moss bedding.

Experts note that the fertility of the variety depends less on the quality of the land, and more on the location where the trees are planted. Apricot trees need sun, but this variety does not like moisture, so in case of close groundwater passage at the planting site, it is recommended to organize a drainage system.

“Rattle” can be planted both in spring and autumn. The hole for the tree is prepared in advance, a couple of weeks in advance. It should have dimensions of approximately 60 by 80 centimeters and a depth of about a meter, because the powerful roots of the plant can push it to the surface over time. Organic and mineral substances are mixed with soil and poured into the prepared hole. You also need to insert a stake into the hole, the root collar should be 5-7 cm above the surface of the earth. Next, the tree is tied and watered.

Due to the abundance of fruits, trees can be overloaded, which leads to premature partial fall of apricots that have not yet ripened. To prevent this problem, you need to normalize the harvest in time - this work is carried out at the flowering stage.

Also in some cases it is worth thinning out the crown. To do this, first of all, bad branches that have damage are removed. If this is not enough, then remove a fifth of the remaining branches. In addition, the bark on which growth can continue must be periodically cleared of affected areas.

Like any plant, the Ragremok apricot needs protection from pests and rodents, as well as the prevention of tree diseases. It is recommended to water, fertilize, protect the trees from frost and monitor the shape of the crown. Despite all the neatness of these fruit trees and their good aesthetic characteristics, they create shade, which is why neighboring plants may be left without light. To avoid this, before planting it is advised to remove the top of the seedling - you need to remove about half a meter of the total length. To get a good harvest, it is recommended to adhere to the following tips:

• To prevent diseases of apricot trees and repel parasites, it is worth spraying the trunks and skeletal branches of fruit trees with a solution of vitriol.
• To prevent branches from breaking due to snow accumulation during the winter, it is recommended to tie them with a strong rope.
• Before frost hits, it doesn’t hurt to lightly loosen the soil near the trunks and mulch it with compost.
• The first winter for a young tree is always stressful. The lower branches especially need covering - this will protect them not only from adverse weather conditions, but also from animals that may come to the site during the cold season.
• Watering trees should be done before the flowers appear, after they fall, and also a couple of weeks before harvesting.
• The tops of actively growing branches should be trimmed in the spring, and dry branches should be removed in the fall, treating the damaged areas with garden varnish.
• Feeding the roots with mineral fertilizers should be done in the spring. The top is sprayed with potassium-phosphorus substances in the summer. In the fall, it’s a good idea to feed the trees with mullein.