Black apricot "black prince": a description of the cultivar, peculiarities of cultivation and reviews

Perhaps, it is difficult to surprise modern gardeners with any unusual development of breeders. Scientists are painstakingly working on obtaining new varieties, including fruit trees. Their goal is to obtain more productive, resistant to pests, aggressive climatic influences and diseases, and samples. As a result of this complex work, there are interesting cultures, many of which are hybrids.

We will tell you about one of these new products today. Our hero - unusual both externally and tastefully, black apricot. "Black Prince" - such a beautiful name received a new grade. About the peculiarities of growing this dark hybrid, we will describe below.

Apricot "black prince": characteristic of the variety

It can be said that today this is a rather rare fruit crop. "Black Prince" - a hybrid of apricot, cherry plums, plums. Breeders claim that the appearance of the variety is due to accidental pollination of apricot with garden cherry plum. Then the fruits obtained were refined and improved.

Several varieties of this unusual plant were created, some of them were very thermophilic, they were afraid of frost and ripened quite late. Such crops are difficult to grow in the northern regions of our country. This is due to the fact that it is necessary to cover them well for winter (although this measure does not always help to preserve the tree), the crop has to be removed unripe.

Breeders continued their work, and as a result appeared not afraid of the cold winter, ripening much earlier than the analogous apricot "black prince". Podmoskovye is perfectly suitable for growing a new variety.

Features of the variety

Apricot "black prince" (the gardeners' reviews confirm this) blossoms a little later than other stone fruit. Due to this feature, the owners of the culture do not fear late frosts. In addition, this variety is well tolerated by recurrent winter frosts, from which most common varieties die.

Experts believe that this variety of apricot ("black prince") is more resistant to many diseases that are characteristic of stone fruit. He is not afraid of cytosporiosis, moniliosis and klyasterosporiosis. The plant is very compact, so caring for it is much easier than for the huge trees of conventional varieties.

Description of the hybrid

If the sweet fruits of the traditional yellow apricot are known and loved by many, then not everyone knows about its black "relative". What does black apricot look like? "Black Prince" is a medium-sized tree with a small and slightly thickened crown. The trunk and branches cover the bark with a dark green tint. Skeletal twigs can be "armed" with spines.

Leaves small, having an oval or ovate shape, with serrated margins. The petiolus is thin and short. Flowers are pale pink or white. Fruit is medium in size, weighing no more than eighty grams. They are painted in maroon or almost black.

Description of fruits, palatability

In comparison with other varieties of dark hybrids, such as "melitopol black", "black velvet", according to gardeners, this is the most delicious black apricot. "Black Prince" is not only great for making jam. It is a wonderful dessert fruit, which can make a worthy competition to southern nectarines or apricots. An unusual hybrid is characterized by a tart and very pleasant taste.

It is impossible not to note the refined appearance of these fruits. The flesh of the fruit has a rich bright burgundy tone with a slight orange tinge. Black apricot has a small bone, which is quite easily separated from the pulp. On yield, this hybrid is the leader among similar varieties. The strength of his growth is attributed to the average. This unusual culture refers to the self-fruitful, in other words, it requires trees-neighbors of other varieties for the process of pollination.

Features of agricultural technology

Experienced gardeners believe that it is not difficult to grow black apricots. The "Black Prince" does not have any kind of agrotechnical features that would distinguish it from ordinary varieties. Nevertheless, one should listen to some recommendations of specialists.

When choosing a place for planting this hybrid, remember that all apricots love the sun very much. But the landing site should be well protected from drafts and wind. Usually such a tree is planted near the southern wall of a house or a fence. For one tree, an area of at least five square meters is required.

The soil

The composition of the land must be non-uniform. It should be mixed in equal shares of clay with peat and sand. When planting, do not abuse fertilizer. It is necessary to carefully select at purchase strong, not damaged, with not dried up earthen lump seedlings. Apricot "black prince" prefers soils in which the groundwater is not too close to the surface. Otherwise, the plants will get wet roots.

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the snow cover near the tree (especially the young one) in the spring does not exceed fifty centimeters. This can adversely affect the condition of the lower part of the trunk.

Using barrels for planting

If, on your site, groundwater flows too close to the surface, experts recommend planting seedlings in barrels dug in the ground (with a cut bottom). In this case, first a landing pit is prepared, it is covered with pebbles (or other drainage).

Then the pit should be filled with a soil substrate, after which the barrel is set so that it rises half a meter above the ground. The tree planted in this way is reliably protected from rising groundwater in spring and excess snow at the bottom of the trunk in winter.

Care of a tree

Black apricot needs good watering. Since the middle of summer, it is limited to a minimum, because excess moisture contributes to the active growth of shoots, which will not grow stronger by the winter.

We have already said that when planting you should not abuse fertilizers. With the further growth and development of the seedling, it requires very moderate fertilizing with organic fertilizers.

Apricot "black prince": reviews of gardeners

So, we introduced you to a somewhat unusual (at least, in appearance) fruit. Probably, you will be interested to know what the experienced gardeners think about him. The majority of summer residents are satisfied with their purchase. This is especially true in the middle regions of Russia. They like that the plant is unpretentious, does not require complex care, has excellent taste qualities.

Gardeners who have already harvested from their tree, are recommended to take off the fruit a little before full maturation. They must lie down for a few days in a dark place. If you wait until full maturation, they can just crumble.

The owners note a wonderful taste of apricots, in which a small sour cherry plum and apricot fragrance are combined. Most summer residents believe that this variety can grow even a beginner in gardening. Most owners believe that the "black prince" is not only a magnificent dessert fruit, but also an exquisite piece of jewelry.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the new hybrid "black prince" is not too widespread in our country. However, its popularity is growing every year. And today it can be seen not only in the suburban areas in the south of our country, but also in more northern regions.