Common apricot contains a huge potential for frost resistance, as it grows on mountain slopes, where it has adapted to endure both frost and drought. All this is due to its physiological and anatomical features. It turns out that the apricot is frost-hardy enough (withstands up to -30 degrees), and it is not at all necessary to breed "winter-hardy" varieties. But this is not at all the case. The concept of winter hardiness differs slightly from frost resistance. In this case, this indicator for apricots is quite reduced. Winter hardiness includes all the negative factors of winter: frequent thaws, sharp jumps in temperature, and for the Moscow region such climatic "dances" are quite frequent.

The best regions for growing apricots are southern, southwestern and southeastern directions from Moscow. Lowlands where cold air flows are absolutely not suitable. It must be understood that when planting an apricot in the Moscow region, cultivation must be ensured, otherwise weak seedlings will undoubtedly die in such climatic conditions.

The most suitable varieties of apricots for the Moscow region, corresponding to the regional climate: Lel, Black Velvet, Iceberg, Varyag, Countess, Winter-hardy Susova, Tsarsky, Aquarius, Alyosha.

Definitely, it is possible to grow apricots in the Moscow region, the main thing is to choose the most suitable variety and take proper care of them. The most important thing is to know how to properly plant an apricot in the spring in the Moscow region, because the whole future of the plant depends on the planting.

Apricot in the suburbs

Selecting and preparing a landing site

It is necessary to grow apricots in places protected from cold winds (northern, eastern).

Absolutely unsuitable for growing apricots, soils with a groundwater level less than 2 meters to the surface, ideally 4-5 m. It is optimal to plant a crop in light loamy soils with a neutral indicator. Apricots need deeply drained soil that is good for deep air. The land must be moisture permeable and fertile. An indisputable indicator of fertility is earthworms.

Attention! If old trees (oak, maple or pear, with a very large and deep root system) grow successfully on the site, then it is very likely that the apricot will also take root successfully.

It is necessary to prepare a shelter, as the apricot blooms early and suffers from frost. Aggryl in two layers is perfect. The material is attached to the branches, but so that pollinating insects can easily visit the trees.

Apricots are warm - and light-requiring, so the site should be well lit. It will not be superfluous to plant a tree on the south side of the fence or pre-built shields, preferably whitewashed to better reflect sunlight on the apricot, to improve heating and lighting.

Landing

How to plant a culture correctly

Mulberry in the Moscow region: growing and care

You need to know how to plant an apricot in the spring in the Moscow region, with improper manipulations, the likelihood that the seedling will take root and grow fully decreases significantly.

It is better to plant apricots in spring, not earlier than March, depending on the local climate. In the conditions of the Moscow region, it is advisable to plant an apricot at the end of April, when the earth warms up enough and the threat of return frosts has passed.The plant requires a lot of space, it is most convenient to place planting pits according to the 4 * 6 scheme, in which 4 meters is the distance between the rows, and 6 is between the seedlings in a row. The planting site is prepared 3-4 weeks before the planting procedure (70 * 70 * 70 cm), filled with fertilizers:

  • ¾ 1.5-2 buckets of cow or horse manure;
  • ¾ 0.5-0.6 kg of granular superphosphate;
  • ¾ 0.4-0.5 kg of potassium sulfate.

The root system of the seedling is placed superficially, without deepening the neck, the earth is compacted, a peg is introduced for the obligatory tying of the trunk. The first year, watering is carried out no more than 5-6 times per season, in the amount of 2-3 buckets per hole. It is also necessary to mulch the trunk circle.

It is possible to grow apricots in the Moscow region from a stone, but this requires the use of seeds only from zoned varieties. Probably splitting properties, the apricot can grow better than the parent or be completely sterile, which will be seen in 5-7 years.

The climatic conditions near Moscow negatively affect young apricot trees - they suffer greatly from the bark of the base, therefore, it is advisable to use grafted seedlings (at a height of 1.2-1.5 meters) in the trunks of more winter-hardy and not prone to underpinning trees. In addition, the stem formers contribute to an impressive improvement in winter hardiness, yield and ripening time.

Apricot care

Cultivation of grapes in the Moscow region without a greenhouse

Knowing how to grow apricots in the open field in the Moscow region and taking into account all the nuances, you can grow an excellent fruit tree.

Trees that have not yet begun to bear fruit need special care - this is the time when the plant's immunity and its commercial characteristics are formed. Apricot planting and care in the Moscow region are complemented by:

  • protection from cold and wind;
  • fertilizers (potassium is most necessary for the plant, otherwise the process of fruit formation will significantly decrease);
  • crown formation;
  • protection from diseases and pests.

You also need:

  • at the end of July, limit watering to avoid the growth of greenery;
  • after complete harvesting, fertilize the trunk circle with superphosphate, potassium chloride;
  • open wounds, process sections with garden pitch;
  • whitewash young and adult trees in the spring to exclude sunburn;
  • carry out preventive treatments of the garden in early spring.

Care

Important! Young trees, even of the most winter-hardy varieties, need shelter in the cold season; for this, burlap or other material from freezing can be used. The lower skeletal branches are especially weak in this regard.

When protecting trunks for the winter, it is important that the young tree does not get up from excessive wrapping during thaw periods. It is necessary to form a crown only with increased growth.

Attention! To attract pollinators (osmium, andrena, bumblebees), the apricot should be sprayed with honey water during the flowering period.

The honey solution is prepared from 1 liter of warm water and 1 tablespoon of natural honey.

Grafting (reproduction)

Rosemary - growing in the open field in the Moscow region

It is necessary to vaccinate 2 weeks before the start of the movement of the juice in the shoots, because later manipulations reduce the success of cuttings survival. Depending on the climate, the procedure is performed in late March - early April. Apricot is grafted exclusively on stone fruit crops; grafting is carried out on trees that are no more than 10 years old. It is most suitable to add apricot to a wild species scion, which will significantly increase its winter-hardy qualities.

Diseases and pests

Good warm sunny summers with moderately windy weather can reduce the incidence of disease by almost 100 percent. But cold, cloudy and light windy weather is fraught with the occurrence of moniliosis (decay of fruits, drying out of shoots and flowers) and clotterosporia (rusty spots on foliage with the forthcoming formation of holes).

Preventive measures include good plant care, respectively, in weakened apricots, the risk of diseases is much higher. Therefore, fungicidal treatments should be carried out regularly, with particular preference for copper-containing products.

From aphids, moths help drugs "Iskra", "Decis".

In addition, you must:

  • carry out correct pruning every year, avoiding thickening of the tree;
  • water, feed and loosen the soil in a timely manner;
  • regularly collect dried, damaged fruits;
  • dispose of diseased branches;
  • ensure that the garden is well ventilated to avoid stagnant damp air.

Methods for regulating growth and fruiting

Various horticultural tricks can significantly improve the quality and quantity of fruits.

To improve yield indicators and proper growth, the following applies to apricot:

  1. Changing the slope of the branches. The closer the skeletal branches are to the vertical direction, the more intensively they will grow, and vice versa, the more horizontal they are, the less pronounced their growth will be. Tilting strong branches closer to a horizontal position promotes faster fruiting. You can change the slope by filing, spacers and a garter to lower branches, stakes, trellis.
  2. Banning the trunk and branches. It is made with the help of a wire lined with thin tin, a board, when a pronounced influx is formed, it is removed. This manipulation stimulates the laying of flower buds.
  3. Bark furrowing. The procedure of longitudinal cuts in thin parts of sapwood and bark, carried out at the beginning of the growing season with a garden knife. Manipulation allows you to get a significantly developed crown and thick trunks, which are significantly different from the relatives "untouched by the knife". The most important thing is that the yield increases significantly.

Methods for regulating growth and fruiting

Why apricot does not bloom in the Moscow region

Many gardeners are wondering why the apricot does not bloom. In fact, there are many reasons for this.

Apricot may not bloom for several reasons:

  • perhaps the tree is still too young, and the moment of flowering has not yet come;
  • freezing of fruit buds (in very frosty winters or in warm autumn, when the buds open prematurely);
  • tree diseases (gum disease);
  • incorrect, excessive pruning;
  • unsuitable place for planting, poor soil.

It is not so easy to grow an apricot in the Moscow region, it constantly requires attention and care, but work and patience always bring worthy results.