Apricot Countess

Varietal apricot Countess is one of the best varieties for growing in the middle zone of the climatic zone of Russia with an average fruit ripening period. Differs in high productivity, delicate taste and delicate aroma.

The history of the creation of the variety

Apricot variety Countess - selection of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University. In 1988, the variety was bred by the candidate of biological sciences, Kramarenko L.A. and professor Skvortsov A.K. The variety was bred for breeding in central Russia, Moscow and the Moscow region.

The following varieties are considered to be the varieties of the Countess' apricot:

1. Red-cheeked - a high-yielding large-fruited variety. Apricots with a dense skin and sweet spicy pulp, light orange color.
2. Russian - a winter-hardy high-yielding variety. The tree is medium-sized. Fruits are large, rounded, sweet, with a pronounced apricot aroma.
3. Honey - a tall, winter-hardy variety. Fruits are medium in size, yellow. The pulp is firm, sweet, fibrous.

Among the people, the Apricot variety Countess is also known as Monastyrsky, Favorite.

Characteristics and features of the variety

Apricot Countess belongs to frost-resistant tall late-ripening varieties. With a high yield, the fruits are large, oval, pale yellow in color, with an orange blush. The pulp is sweet with a slight sourness and rich aroma. The kernel of the stone is bitter. The fruits ripen at the end of August.

Apricot Countess

An adult tree reaches a height of 4.5-6 m. Annual shoots are not subject to branching. The leaf plate is large ovoid with serrated edges. Leaves are deep dark green. It blooms with pink small flowers, 20-25 mm in diameter, collected in a panicle of 5 petals. Flowers bloom earlier than leaves.

The features of the variety include:

• Lack of self-pollination, due to the specific structure of flowers. For pollination, it is necessary to plant a self-pollinated apricot on the site,
• It begins to bear fruit 4 years after grafting,
• Good transportability and storage of fruits in a refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Thanks to the positive characteristics, apricot Countess description of the variety with excellent taste of the fruit has earned an honorable place in the garden, both for beginners and experienced gardeners.

Agrotechnical requirements

For successful fruit bearing, the correct planting site is important. This apricot variety requires a well-lit place, without drafts and stagnant moisture.

The soil should be fertile with sufficient acidity. Sandy, loamy, swampy soils with a close occurrence of groundwater are not suitable for growing the Countess.

Planting apricots

As a rule, in the regions of the middle lane, the seedling is planted in the spring, and in the south - both in the spring and in the fall. It is necessary to choose planting material no more than 1 year old with a well-developed root system and active living buds.

A landing hole is dug to a depth of not more than 70 cm and dimensions 50x50. Organic fertilizers are introduced into the pit (you can fill up dry foliage, walnut shells, wood grape ash), rotted compost, superphosphate and watered abundantly.Then the seedling is buried and the soil is well compacted. You can mulch the near-trunk zone with dry hay, sawdust.

The main tree care is:

1. Regular watering: during flowering, in the hot summer period during the formation of fruits and shoots, after full harvest and in late autumn.
2. After each watering, it is necessary to loosen and mulch the soil.
3. Fertilization (potash, phosphorus, organic).
4. Formative pruning. Since the tree belongs to tall varieties, then, starting from the 1st year after planting, formative pruning is required to give a sparse-tiered crown. The central branch is cut over the upper branch and it is made sure that in the future the skeletal branches do not assume the role of the central branch. These activities are carried out within 4-5 years after landing.
5. Sanitary autumn pruning. In late autumn, it is necessary to cut out dry, damaged, diseased branches. The internal branches thickening the inside of the crown are removed.
6. Processing the bark in the spring with Bordeaux liquid or lime.

Diseases and pests

With illiterate apricot care, the following diseases are possible:

Moniliosis (fruit rot) - a fungal disease affecting leaves, buds, flowers. It is manifested by the formation of gray putrefactive spots. Affected branches turn brown and fade along with leaves, flowers, buds or fruits. Fallen fruits are a source of disease development for the subsequent harvest.

Disease control methods are:

• complete pruning of affected branches,
• autumn and spring processing of tree bark with slaked lime,
• spraying with fungicidal solution (Horus, Topsin) or Bordeaux liquid.

Cytosporosis - a fungal disease that causes drying of flowers and leaves. The affected areas turn brown.

Control methods:

• Spring and autumn processing of a tree trunk with slaked lime,
• Timely removal of dry and diseased branches,
• Deep weeding and cutting of root shoots, regular and timely pruning,
• Timely watering, according to the terms and recommendations,
• Burning fallen leaves and fruits.

Clasterosporium disease (perforated spot) - the appearance on the branches and foliage of spots of a light brownish shade with a reddish-brown edging. After a while, the spots pass, and holes form in their place. If the infection spreads to the fruits, then small depressed spots of purple color are formed on them, gradually increasing in size, from which gum flows.

Clasterosporium apricots

Control methods:

• Timely cutting of the affected branches and their burning,
• Spraying with a solution of copper sulfate,
• Regular fertilizing with fertilizers,
• Spraying with Bordeaux liquid before and after flowering,
• Treatment with fungicidal preparations (Horus, Topsin).

Timely and proper care allows you to protect trees and crops from disease damage.

The main pests of apricot are:

1. Aphid. Leaves affected by aphids curl and dry out prematurely.
2. Hawthorn caterpillar. During the spring vegetation of buds, the caterpillars feed on them, gnawing out the bud, then moving on to buds and flowers.
3. Caterpillar of the plum moth. The insect eats into the inside of the fruit, making passages in it and filling them with excrement. Affected fruits change color and rot.

Aphids on apricot

Pest control methods are:

• Treatment with fungicidal solutions (Nitrafen, Karbofos, Chlorofos, Inta-Vir),
• Weeding root shoots,
• Cutting and burning of affected branches, fruits,
• Planting spicy (fragrant) herbs-siderates near the tree trunk: nettle, mint, basil.

As a rule, disease and pests are easier to prevent than to get rid of. Therefore, it is important to strictly adhere to the recommended rules for caring for this apricot variety.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Gardeners distinguish the following advantages of the Countess variety:

• High yield and large mass of fruits,
• Taste qualities and rich apricot aroma,
• Good transportability and storage,
• Frost resistance,
• High immunity to diseases and pests.

The main disadvantages include:

• The possibility of crushing fruits with a bountiful harvest,
• Direct conditioning of taste and aroma from weather conditions (with heavy precipitation, a weakening of taste is possible),
• Increased risk of klyasternosporiosis damage during prolonged rainy rainfall.

Apricot Countess is widespread among gardeners for the positive characteristics and advantages of the variety. Regular proper care and timely pest control will allow you to achieve abundant and long-term fruiting.