Apricot Kichiginsky: variety description, photos, reviews

In this article, you will get acquainted with the detailed history of the Kichiginsky apricot variety, learn more about its advantages and disadvantages, as well as about the basic care products and conditions that are necessary to obtain a rich and high-quality harvest.

Apricot Kichiginsky: variety description

Apricot Kichiginsky: photo of the variety

The Kichiginsky variety of apricots was bred in the 30s of the 20th century by breeders who conducted experiments at the South Ural Research Institute. They used exclusively natural forms of plants and strove to create the most frost-resistant varieties of apricots, which would be high-yielding, large, and not inferior to the taste of southern apricots.

For the entire period of work of this institute, scientists have bred as many as five varieties, and among them was the apricot Kichiginsky. Due to the fact that this variety was freely pollinated from the Manchu apricot, it adopted many properties from it, and, in the end, in 1978 it was recognized as a full-fledged independent apricot variety.

Apricot variety Kichiginsky has some characteristics and features, which we will also discuss in more detail in this article. Firstly, it is a hybrid, which agronomists, breeders and gardeners themselves refer to as medium-sized fruit trees. At the seedling stage, the young tree exhibits such a quality as intensive growth, and for a short time overgrows with a non-thickened, but very decorative crown. The branches are straight, have a reddish tint.

As for the first fruits of the Kichiginsky apricot, they usually appear only in the fifth year after the seedling is planted and rooted. During the flowering period, you can see a tree on the site, which is densely covered with small flowers of white-pink color, and during the fruiting period the tree is so covered with fruits that the main foliage is practically invisible behind them.

The fruits are usually of medium size, and the weight of one fruit is approximately 15 grams. The skin is thin, the flesh is very juicy, sweet, has a slight sour taste. Nevertheless, both adults and the smallest garden fruit lovers like the taste of the Kichiginsky apricot. The stone is small, perfectly separates from the pulp without sticking to it, and this is a noticeable advantage of the variety over some other varieties of apricots. This property is very important when using fruits for further conservation, as it allows the gardener to significantly save his time.

With regard to harvesting, this procedure is carried out only at the end of summer. Therefore, as a rule, the Kichiginsky variety of apricots should be classified as medium late. In general, it gives a wonderful harvest, and gardeners harvest from 12 to 15 kilograms from one tree per season.

Apricot variety Kichiginsky: advantages and disadvantages

Apricot Kichiginsky: photo of the variety

Of course, readers are interested in the advantages and disadvantages of the Kichiginsky variety of apricots.

Of course, I would like to start with the merits, since they are, and there are many of them:

• the apricot variety Kichiginsky has an increased resistance to cold, due to which this hybrid is popular in the middle latitudes of Russia, and is especially loved in the Moscow region;
• thanks to the care, as well as the characteristics of the variety, a bountiful and high-quality crop is obtained, which can be stored for some time, retaining its appearance and taste;
• apricot Kichiginsky is very well transported, which is very important if the gardener decides to transport the crop to another city for sale, or simply to share it with his close people or friends.

Kichiginsky apricot does not need to be planted alone, since it belongs to the category of self-fertile plants. Also, it is impossible to name any visible shortcomings of this plant, since, based on the reviews and experience of gardeners, this variety simply does not have them. But there are still some peculiar shortcomings. For example, the size of the fruit (they are quite small). But even this factor is not considered by some gardeners as a disadvantage, since they believe that, in principle, the size of the fruits can be ignored if the tree as a whole gives a fairly bountiful harvest.

Apricot Kichiginsky: planting and caring for the plant

Apricot Kichiginsky: photo of the variety

There are several rules for planting and caring for a plant, which I would also like to consider in this article. To begin with, the site for planting the Kichiginsky apricot must be well lit, it must be a flat area, but only a slight slope is permissible, this will not harm the tree and its root system. Also, buildings that are located nearby will be a plus, since they will protect the tree from windy weather, as well as from drafts.

As for the soil, it should be loose, well-ventilated, permeable. An important factor is soil fertility; you should not choose areas where groundwater can accumulate, since this can simply lead to rotting of the root system, and this is one of the reasons why trees either do not take root or die over time.

The planting hole must be prepared in advance, about a few days before planting the plant.

For this, it is proposed to carry out several significant manipulations:

• preparation of the soil and the site should be carried out in the fall, if the gardener has decided that he will plant the plant in the spring;
• if planting is planned for the fall, then about 2 weeks before this moment it is worth preparing the soil.

An artificially created drainage (broken brick or crushed stone) is placed at the bottom of the pit, this will allow the soil to be retained, prevent abundant moisture of the root system and, as a result, its decay. Also, fertilizers such as manure (organic matter), superphosphate or potassium salt are applied to the soil. It is best, of course, to use complex mixtures, since they contain all the necessary components in the correct proportions. If the site is distinguished by overly oxidized soil, then it must be treated with lime or ash.

Of course, an important part is taking care of the Kichiginsky apricot variety. In order to get a stable annual harvest, several rules must be followed. First, provide the plant with regular watering, especially during the period when the branches are forming and the crop is ripening. Second, the grower should prune, especially in mid-spring. During this period, the plant must be rid of unnecessary branches, remove dry and lifeless shoots. Thirdly, it is important to implement plant nutrition, especially organics and mineral compositions that are sold in specialized stores for gardeners are suitable for this.

It is recommended to carry out preventive treatment with chemicals that will prevent the development of diseases and the spread of pests. In general, if you carry out these points and take care of the plant, then the chance of getting an annual harvest increases.

It is better for the gardener to focus on the instructions for caring for the plant, as well as the recommendations that he can receive from information forums, from other gardeners who also share experience and knowledge.Then, in gratitude, the plant will give a large amount of harvest, which will be stored for a long time and delight with its taste and useful qualities.

Apricot Kichiginsky: photo