Apricot Aquarius: characteristics of the variety and cultivation characteristics

Apricots are grown in southern countries, but you can also get fruits from this tree in cool climates. There are a number of winter-hardy varieties of apricots that take root well in our conditions. One of the popular varieties that was obtained through open pollination is the Aquarius variety. This apricot variety is a seedling varieties "Lel."

Content:

• Description of the variety
• Growing principles
• Apricot care
• Use in cooking and medicinal purposes

Description of the variety

Apricot variety "Aquarius" is a tall plant, the length of which can reach 6 m. It blooms profusely with small white flowers. The fruits ripen in a round shape and have a pronounced seam. The degree of ripening will be indicated by yellow skin and orange flesh.

A small stone is separated from the fruit. The weight of an apricot is about 27-32g.

The pulp of the fruit is medium dense and tastes sweet and sour. Fruiting occurs in the 3rd year of life. From one young tree you can collect about 10-15 kg of apricots, and from an adult tree 25-30 kg. If you properly care for the tree, the yield can last for 18-20 years.

Growing principles

Before as plant seedling, you need to select and prepare a site. It is recommended to grow apricots in a well-lit area that is protected from gusts of wind. The optimal location is the east or southeast side.

It should be remembered that the plant is afraid of waterlogging, so placing it in areas with close groundwater is not recommended. Planting is usually carried out at the end of April, but the site should be prepared in the fall. The soil mixture for growing apricots should not be homogeneous, so clay, peat, and sand are added. It is recommended to add compost, wood ash or dolomite flour.

It is advisable to stick to a 5x5 planting pattern. The optimal size of the hole for planting is 70x70x70 cm. A drainage layer should be placed at the bottom. The seedling is carefully placed in the center of the hole, covered with soil mixture and filled with water. One tree will need at least 2 liters of water.

If necessary, you can stick a stake at a distance of 10-15 cm from the tree. It will help hold the plant until the trunk strengthens. When planting, you need to follow an important rule: the root collar should be on the surface, at a height of about 2-4 cm.

Apricot care

When growing an apricot tree, to get a good harvest, you need to properly care for it. Like many fruit plants, apricot needs regular feeding. In the fall, it should be fed with organic fertilizers in the form of compost or mullein, in the summer with phosphorus fertilizers, and in the spring with nitrogen fertilizers.

The plant should be watered at the stage of growth and formation of ovaries. If planting was carried out in the spring, then watering is stopped in August. This way the plant will prepare for winter conditions. In most apricot trees, the crown forms on its own, but it is important not to forget to remove excess shoots.

In addition, they reduce productivity. This procedure promotes better lighting and fruiting. The cuts must be covered with garden varnish.Weeds should be removed and the tree trunk should be loosened periodically. From mid-autumn to early winter, trees need to be whitewashed.

This will help protect the plant from unfavorable conditions in winter and spring. This plant is resistant to many diseases, but can be affected by a fungal disease - scab. For preventive purposes, to prevent the development of scab, it is recommended to treat the plant with Bordeaux mixture. This procedure should be carried out before the buds open.

Use in cooking and medicinal purposes

Apricots - universal fruits. They can be dried, frozen, canned or used fresh. Dried fruits have a high dry matter content. The fruits of the apricot tree contain a large amount of useful substances and vitamins. These fruits are loved not only by children, but also by children.

They can be eaten separately or in combination with cottage cheese, porridge, ice cream, and dessert. Apricots are used to make delicious preserves, jams, and compotes. Alcoholic drinks are often prepared from the fruits. Apricots are used to prepare various types of baked goods: pies, muffins, puff pastries, shortbread cake, etc.

These fruits are very valuable for cooks. You can prepare a wide variety of dishes from them. Apricots are widely used not only in cooking, but also for medicinal purposes. Apricots are rich in potassium, so they are recommended for use in the diet of people with cardiovascular diseases, immune pathologies, and the elderly.

The fruits contain a large amount of iron, so they should be consumed by pregnant women. From the juicy apricots You can make face masks.Apricots are of great value for dietary and healthy nutrition.

Video about apricot care: