As a result of the work of breeders in our time, southern fruits can be grown in most of Russia. For example, apricots grow well in the middle lane. The main thing is to observe the correct conditions for planting and care, as well as choose a variety suitable for the region.
What are the varieties for the Midland
The main thing you should pay attention to when choosing an apricot variety for cultivation in Central Russia is its winter hardiness. This is the most important characteristic, since in non-southern regions there can be severe winters that will not survive heat-loving varieties. Also, late spring and early autumn frosts sometimes occur, which can damage young leaves and ripened fruits.
A bit of history
The creation of winter-hardy apricot varieties began in the 19th century by the famous scientist I.V. Michurin. Later, his work was continued by other Russian breeders. As a result, varieties of frost-resistant apricots were created suitable for cultivation in the Middle Strip, such as:
- Edelweiss;
- Royal;
- Yellow;
- Countess;
- Varangian;
- Aquarius;
- Delight;
- Alyosha.
Orchards of such apricots are still preserved in the monasteries of the Central region. Such varieties were created as a result of crossing southern apricots with Manchurian apricot, which has tasteless fruits, but tolerates harsh winters.
Manchurian apricot has tasteless fruits and is usually used as a pollinator of self-infertile varieties
Video: gardeners' opinion on growing apricots in the Middle Strip and their varieties
Winter-hardy varieties included in the State Register
Breeding work is ongoing, and new varieties are emerging along with old-time apricots. Consider those that are currently registered by the Federal State Register of Agricultural Achievements as suitable for planting in Central Russia.
The middle lane or Central region of Russia is numbered "3" and includes the Bryansk, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Moscow, Ryazan, Smolensk and Tula regions.
Early ripe varieties
These apricots ripen in the first decade of August, Iceberg and Alyosha can ripen even at the end of July.
- Iceberg. Srednerosly fast-growing grade. The plant has a raised crown of medium density with wide, shiny dark green leaves. Has direct dark red shoots. After vaccination, the tree begins to bear fruit for 3 years ... The fruits are orange-red, slightly pubescent. The flesh is yellow, sweet-sour, tender and juicy.
Iceberg fruits ripen in late July and early August
- Alyosha. Srednerosly fast-growing grade. Crohn of medium density, raised. The tree has dark red straight shoots and wide dark green leaves with a smooth shiny surface. Fruits are slightly pubescent, yellow-red. The pulp is yellow, sweet and sour, cartilaginous.
- Lel. Mid-sized self-fertile variety. The tree has a mushroom-shaped, sprawling crown. The shoots of the plant are straight, dark red in color; the leaves are dark green, smooth and shiny, ovoid. Fruiting begins at 3 year. Fruits are orange-red, slightly pubescent. The pulp is orange, sweet and sour, juicy and tender.
Variety Lel has small but tasty fruits
- Royal. Srednerosly slow-growing grade. The crown of the tree is raised, of medium density; shoots are straight, dark red. The leaves of the plant are wide, smooth, dark green. Begins to bear fruit for 3 years. Apricots of mixed color - yellow-orange and red-pink, slightly pubescent. The pulp is orange in color, sweet-sour, tender and juicy.
Mid-season varieties
In these varieties, the fruits ripen in the second decade of August.
- Aquarius. Vigorous fast-growing variety. The tree has a spreading raised crown of medium density with thick, straight, dark red shoots. The leaves of the plant are large, smooth, dark green. Fruiting begins at 3 year. Fruits of yellow-orange color, slightly pubescent. The pulp is orange in color, sweet and sour, tender and juicy.
Variety Aquarius has medium-sized fruits and excellent taste.
- Countess. Vigorous fast-growing variety. The tree has a spreading, raised crown of medium density and thick, dark red shoots, straight or arched in shape. The leaves are large, wide, dark green. Begins to bear fruit for 4 years. Apricots yellow-beige, medium pubescent. The pulp is orange in color, sweet-sour, tender and juicy.
Late ripening varieties
Apricots of late ripening varieties ripen in mid-late August, but if the summer was cold and rainy, they may remain unripe.
- Monastic. Srednerosly fast-growing grade. The crown of a tree of medium density, sprawling, spherical. The shoots of the plant are straight, brownish-yellow in color; the leaves are large, dark green. Begins to bear fruit for 3 years. Apricots are yellow-pink in color, slightly pubescent. The pulp is yellow, sweet-sour, juicy.
Monastyrsky variety is characterized by high productivity
- Favorite. Srednerosly variety. A tree with a spreading, raised, sparse crown and straight dark red shoots. The leaves are large, shiny dark green in color. The plant begins to bear fruit for 3 years. Fruits are yellow-red in color, with a dense "blush", slightly pubescent. The pulp is orange, sweet-sour, juicy and gristly.
Table: Tasting estimates and fruit weight
| Grade name | Iceberg | Alyosha | Lel | Royal | Aquarius | Countess | Monastic | Favorite |
| Average weight fruit gram | 20 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 30 |
| Tasting assessment | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4,5 |
Table: Average Yield
| Grade name | Iceberg | Alyosha | Lel | Royal | Aquarius | Countess | Monastic | Favorite |
| Average yield centners per hectare | 48 | 43 | 40 | 30 | 133 | 70 | 150 | 30 |
Video: the secrets of growing apricots in the middle lane
Varieties not included in the State Register
In addition to the varieties mentioned, there are varieties that are not included in the State Register, but are successfully grown by gardeners in Central Russia. They all endure frosty winters.
- Delight. Early ripening grade. The height of the tree is average, not more than 3 meters, the crown is about 4.5 m in diameter. The fruits of this variety are yellow-red, large, with an average weight of 22-23 grams. The pulp is juicy, light orange in color, with very good taste.
Apricot Delight has beautiful, delicious fruits
- Snowflake. Mid-season grade. The tree is medium-sized, 3-4 meters tall, with a spreading crown. Small apricots, cream in color, with a burgundy "blush", the weight of one fruit is 15-18 grams. The pulp is fragrant, sweet and juicy.
- Khabarovsky. Early ripening grade. The tree is tall, up to 5 meters, with a rare spreading crown. Begins to bear fruit in 4-5 year. The fruits are large, pale green with an orange-red "blush", heavily pubescent, weighing 30-45 grams. The pulp is yellow-orange, sweetish-sour.
The variety Khabarovsky has large weighty fruits
- Honey. Early ripening grade. Tall trees reach 5 meters and have a wide spreading crown. Fruits in 5 years of life, apricots from bright yellow to orange flowers, weighing no more than 15 grams. The pulp is yellow, moderately juicy, sweet with honey notes.
- Red-cheeked. Early ripe self-fertile grade. The tree is vigorous, the crown is sprawling and rare. Fruits in 3-4 years. The fruits are large, golden-orange with a “blush”, weigh 40-50 grams. The pulp is light, orange, sour-sweet, with a tasting score of 4.6 points.
Variety Krasnoshchekoy was named for the characteristic "ruddy" color of the fruit
- Hardy. Mid-season self-fertile variety. Trees are tall, fast-growing, with a dense crown. The plant begins to bear fruit for 5-6 years. The fruits are golden-orange in color with a bright "blush", weigh an average of 30-40 grams. The pulp is tasty and aromatic.
Video: apricot planting in the middle lane
There are quite a few apricot varieties that are suitable for cultivation in Central Russia. Thanks to frost resistance, they will survive the cold winters, and with proper care, the southern fruits will delight the summer resident for many years.
