Apricot for the middle zone: overview of zoned varieties and planting nuances

Traditionally considered a southern crop, apricot began to gradually move north at the end of the 19th century. It was then that breeders began work on creating varieties capable of withstanding winter frosts and other vagaries of nature in central Russia and the Volga region. Their list gradually expanded and now includes a sufficient number of items.

When choosing an apricot variety that will be grown in central Russia or the Volga region, first of all you should pay attention to its resistance to cold temperatures. Winters in these regions are sometimes quite frosty, so southern varieties will definitely be susceptible to freezing. It is also worth considering the timing of fruit ripening, their size and taste, the presence of immunity to diseases and pests, growth potential and size of the tree. The most popular are self-pollinating varieties that can grow one at a time and do not need other apricot trees nearby.

Top 10. Alyosha

Rating (2021): 4.35

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 20 g

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• Ripening time: 3rd decade of July
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -30

Alyosha is one of the best apricot varieties for central Russia. It is quite winter-hardy and has optimal harvest ripening times for the region. The weight of the fruit is average, they ripen in waves and it is important to collect them on time, preventing shedding, which is typical for this variety. The color of blind apricots is predominantly yellow with a small reddish side, the taste is sweet and sour, the aroma is rich. The fruits can be used both for fresh consumption and for various types of preparations. Due to their good transportability, they are also suitable for sale. There are quite a lot of reviews about the Alyosha variety, including from those who grow it in the northern regions of central Russia.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Frost resistance
• Self-pollinating
• Taste and aroma of fruits
• Transportability of ripe fruits

• Fruits fall off as they ripen

The best apricot varieties by fruit color

Most apricot fruits are bright yellow or orange. However, other colors are also found, for example, white, red and black.

Black apricot varieties

Dark-colored hybrids appeared as a result of cross-pollination of apricot and cherry plum growing nearby. Such trees have fruits of a dark purple or dark lilac color, and they have a very weak velvety characteristic of ordinary apricots.

Perhaps the most famous varieties of black apricot are:

• Black Prince.
• Korenevsky.
• Little mouse.
• Black velvet.
• Melitopol.
• Lugansk.

Gardeners are almost unanimous in the opinion that ripe black apricots in fresh form are inferior to classic apricots in taste and aroma, however, when canned they are significantly superior to them.

Red-fruited apricots

Red-fruited varieties are usually called varieties in which a bright red blush occupies most of the fruit. These include the following apricots:

• Nowrast is red.
• Russian-Bulgarian.
• Red partisan.
• Red-cheeked late.
• Nakhichevan red.

Most of these varieties are suitable for cultivation only in areas with a warm climate, because due to the abundance of sun, this characteristic “blush” is formed on apricot fruits.

Top 9. Favorite

Rating (2021): 4.40

The crown does not require shaping. Favorite is distinguished by its insignificant growth force and translucent crown, which does not require shaping or pruning.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 25-30 g

• Ripening time: 2nd decade of August
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -30

Favorite is a mid-late apricot variety that can be successfully grown in most regions of central Russia. It is self-fertile, has insignificant growth force, and begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting. The crown is not too thick, translucent, so the yield is average and is about 20 kg per adult tree. Favorit’s fruits are far from the largest, but they are pleasant in taste and appearance. If August is cool, then they ripen slowly, some remain greenish. The variety is quite young, it was bred in the early 2000s, but has already become popular. One of its advantages is its unattractiveness to aphids, which attack it only in 1% of cases.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Resistant to diseases and pests
• Self-pollinating
• Translucent crown

• Late ripening
• Average yield

Top 8. Iceberg

Rating (2021): 4.45

The excellent taste of Iceberg fruit is capable of producing one of the most delicious and sweet apricot fruits when grown in central Russia.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 20-22 g

• Ripening time: 3rd decade of July
• Self-fertility: no
• Frost resistance: up to -30

Iceberg is called by many one of the best varieties for the Moscow region and other regions of central Russia. It is quite frost-resistant, has optimal ripening times, and is characterized by tasty and aromatic fruits with a high sugar content. The color of ripe apricots is yellow-orange, the flesh is dense but juicy, the pit is easily separated. Iceberg is only partially self-pollinating, so to get a full harvest, it is recommended to plant other apricot varieties nearby. Lel and Alyosha are considered the best pollinators. An adult tree grows up to 3.5-4 meters and can produce up to 30 kg of fruit.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Frost resistance
• Taste and aroma of fruits
• High yield

• Partial selfing

Top 7. Manitoba

Rating (2021): 4.50

Apricot of Canadian selection Manitoba is one of the varieties of apricot from Canadian breeders, which has become widespread in central Russia.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 50-60 g

• Ripening time: 2nd decade of July
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -30

Manitoba is one of the Canadian apricot varieties that are now actively gaining popularity. It is quite frost-resistant and has early ripening periods. The fruits of Manitoba are large and have a slightly unusual elongated shape with a pointed tip. Their color is bright orange, their sides turn red in the sun. The use of the crop is universal; apricots can be dried and prepared into compotes, preserves, and jam. The tree can grow up to 5 meters in height, but much depends on the climatic characteristics of the growing region. Its crown is dense and requires formative pruning and thinning. Disease resistance is high; the variety also tolerates unfavorable weather conditions with dignity.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Canadian variety
• Quite large fruits
• Original shape of apricots

• Crown requires formation

The best apricot varieties for the Urals

Most of the Ural apricot varieties were bred at the South Ural Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable and Potato Growing.

Here are some of them:

1. Chelyabinsk early . Medium-sized compact apricot tree. The crown is medium leafy. The fruits are small, from 15 to 16 g. Universal. Self-fertility is partial.
2. Spicy . Medium-sized apricot tree. Fruits from 15 to 16 g, yellow apricot. Partially self-fertile, versatile, tree yield is high.
3. Snezhinsky. Apricot tree of medium height with a loose crown. The fruits are small, from 20 to 25 g, bright yellow with red dots. Partially self-fertile. Fruiting begins at 4 years of age.
4. Uralets. The apricot tree is of small height, medium foliage and spreading. The fruits are small, from 15 to 17 g, yellow in color with a red dot. Partially self-fertile. Productivity is high. Winter hardiness and drought resistance are good.
5. Kichiginsky. Apricot tree of medium height. Fruits are from 12 to 15 g, small, yield up to 15 kg. Self-sterile, requires pollinators.

Top 6. Lel

Rating (2021): 4.55

The most compact size of the tree Apricot variety Lel usually does not grow higher than 3 meters, which is one of its advantages, allowing the tree to winter better even in the northern regions of the middle zone.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 20 g

• Ripening time: 2nd decade of July
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -30

Lel is a hybrid apricot variety, which is characterized by early ripening, a small height of an adult tree, which rarely exceeds 3 meters, and optimal frost and drought resistance. It is considered quite unpretentious, quickly takes root in a new place and begins to bear fruit in about 3 years. It produces small fruits with a predominantly yellow color and thin skin. They are suitable for both fresh consumption and processing. As a disadvantage, many people mention in reviews the rather large size of the bone. An important advantage of this variety is that Lel can withstand minor frosts even during the flowering period, without shedding flowers and buds.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Compact tree
• Unpretentiousness and frost resistance
• Universal use of fruits

• Average yield
• Large seeds

The largest varieties of apricot

Among the large-fruited varieties with a fruit weight of 40 g and above, the following should be noted:

• Peran.
• Farmingdale.
• Big early.
• Shalah.
• Dawn of the East.
• Aviator.
• Olympus.
• Red Crimea.
• Hope.
• Russian.
• The last four varieties on this list are distinguished by their increased winter hardiness.

Top 5. Tsarsky

Rating (2021): 4.60

Withstands frosts down to -38 Tsarsky is able to withstand winter colds down to -38 degrees, being one of the most frost-resistant apricot varieties.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 20-25 g

• Ripening time: 3rd decade of July
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -38

Apricot Tsarsky is capable of producing a harvest of up to 40 kg of fruit, but it will be possible to obtain it approximately 6-7 years after planting. The variety is characterized by early ripening, which is good when grown in central Russia and the Volga region, a height of up to 4 meters and a slightly dense crown. The fruits are medium in size, but they set annually. The taste is decent, any use options are possible. Due to its good transportability, it is also possible to grow it for sale. Tsarsky is a self-pollinating variety and does not need proximity to other apricots. Its frost resistance in the description is indicated down to -38-40 degrees, but you can find many reviews from those whose variety froze even at higher winter temperatures. Probably, a lot depends on specific weather conditions, and not just the severity of the frost.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Frost resistance
• High yield
• Early ripening
• Average crown density

• There are reviews about freezing

Winter-hardy apricot varieties

Apricots from this list stand out for their increased resistance to low temperatures.

Moreover, not only the trees themselves are frost-resistant, but also their buds, which are often more prone to freezing.

Among the winter-hardy varieties, the following varieties can be distinguished:

• Cupid hybrid
• Innokentyevsky.
• Bai
• Honey.
• Hardy.
• Monastic.
• Red-cheeked.
• Darling.
• Spassky.
• Ussuri
• Partisan highland.
• Triumph Northern.
• Russian.
• Snigirek.

From this list, the Red-cheeked apricot is perhaps the most famous and long-cultivated apricot variety. More than 70 years have passed since its introduction, and it still enjoys great love and respect among both gardeners and gourmets.

The following hybrids were developed based on the Red-cheeked apricot:

• Red-cheeked Salgirsky.
• Nikolaevsky.
• Nikitsky.
• Son of Red-cheeked.

Partisan alpine is the most frost-resistant apricot variety known, its winter hardiness is down to -50 degrees Celsius.

Top 4. Snegirek

Rating (2021): 4.65

Best frost resistance Snegirek is a unique apricot variety that can withstand frosts down to -40 degrees and grow even in the northern regions of central Russia.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 15-18 g

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• Ripening time: 1st decade of August
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -40

Snegirek is one of the most frost-resistant apricot varieties. It is able to withstand winter cold down to -40 degrees, which allows it to be grown almost everywhere, including in central Russia. It also adequately resists spring return frosts, which do not damage its fruit buds. The tree is quite compact, its height does not exceed 2-3 meters, so the yield is average, at the level of 12-15 kg. The fruits are medium in size, they contain about 9% sugar, so they are very sweet, but some feel a slight bitterness in the skin area. Fruiting of the seedling begins 3-4 years after planting; the fruits ripen on average in early August, but the exact timing depends on the temperature.

Advantages and disadvantages

• High frost resistance
• Not afraid of return frosts
• Small tree sizes
• Sweet fruits

• Average yields

See also:

• 10 best blackberry varieties for the middle zone

Self-fertile apricot varieties

Self-fertility, or the ability to self-pollinate, is an extremely important quality of apricots, especially for cultivation in the northern regions. Apricot blooms quite early (late April - early May), and most of the insects that pollinate the plants are still inactive at this time.

Among the many varieties of apricots, there are both self-fertile and self-sterile. Self-fertile varieties include:

• Dessert.
• Red-cheeked.
• Pineapple.
• Rattle.
• Sardonyx.
• Hardy.
• Lel.
• Melitopol early.
• Snowfinch.
• Northern Triumph.
• Tsarsky.

Self-fertile plants do not pollinate 100% of their flowers. It must be remembered that the presence of pollinating neighbors in such trees can increase the yield from 2 to 3 times.

Top 3. Red-cheeked

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Rating (2021): 4.70

Better transportability of fruits Ripe apricots of the Red-cheeked variety are able to retain their presentation and taste characteristics for up to 10 days.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 50-60 g

• Ripening time: 3rd decade of July
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -32

The Red-cheeked apricot variety, due to its high frost resistance, is successfully grown in the middle zone, the Volga region and the Far East. It got its name due to the expressive color of the fruit, which has a bright ruddy color and a fairly large weight of up to 60 grams. The variety is self-pollinating, quite unpretentious in care, and adequately tolerates moisture deficiency. There is high immunity to most diseases. An adult plant usually grows no higher than 4 meters, although in warm climates it can form a higher crown. The yield is excellent and can reach 10 buckets per plant. This variety is not capable of bearing fruit every year; it needs rest and recovery.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Large fruits
• Beautiful color of ripe apricots
• Self-pollinating
• Excellent transportability

• Fruiting every other year

Order at agrosemfond.ru

See also:

• 10 best blueberry varieties for the middle zone

Top 2. Red-cheeked son

Rating (2021): 4.75

The best ratio of frost resistance and fruit weight Son of the Red-cheeked is one of those varieties that is distinguished by large fruit weight and high frost resistance.

• Characteristics

  Fruit weight: 40-60 g

• Ripening time: 1st decade of July
• Self-fertility: yes
• Frost resistance: up to -32

Son of the red-cheeked is a hybrid variety with early ripening. Its frost resistance is high, sufficient for cultivation in most regions of central Russia and the Volga region. The variety is valued by gardeners for its ability to obtain a large harvest of large and quite sweet fruits. Thus, the average weight of ripe apricots is about 40 grams, and by rationing the number of ovaries on a tree, you can get specimens weighing 55-60 grams. From an adult tree, which grows up to 4 meters in height and forms a rounded crown, it is possible to obtain up to 30 kg of fruit. They begin to ripen early, but are prone to shedding, which can only be prevented by regular picking of ripe fruits. Their pulp is juicy, but quite dense, which has a positive effect on transportability.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Early ripening
• Large fruits
• High yield
• Transportability

• Ripe fruits are prone to shedding

See also:

• 10 best varieties of honeysuckle for the middle zone

How to choose the right apricot variety

Choosing the right variety for planting is a real challenge, especially for an inexperienced gardener. The further north the growing area, the more nuances need to be taken into account and the more work will have to be done in order to get a harvest. A mistake in choice can be very expensive.

Most apricots begin to bear fruit only 4-5 years after planting. The wrong choice can lead to the fact that the tree simply will not produce fruit, spending all its energy on the constant struggle for survival.

In the end, the plant will die or the gardener will get rid of it himself, without waiting for the harvest and losing several years in the process.