Apricot Shalakh: variety description, photos, characteristics

Even in the most ancient times, the apricot Shalakh was bred by Armenian breeders. Due to the fact that apricot trees of this variety are quite unpretentious, they very quickly gained popularity in other parts of the world.

Apricot Shalakh: variety description

Apricot Shalakh: photo of the variety

The Armenian apricot Shalakh looks very powerful as a plant - it is tall, the tree is surrounded by a thick and wide crown. The fruits that ripen on it are slightly larger than ordinary apricots. The shape of apricots can also be different: elongated, oval, and elliptical.

If you look closely, you can see a slight tuberosity on the surface of the Shalakh apricot fruit, which is also quite easily palpable tactilely. The color of the fruit ranges from orange to pinkish yellow and is light.

The skin is quite dense and velvety. At the same time, the pulp does not have a special density, on the contrary, it gives a very plentiful juice. The stone inside the fruit is small, easily detached if it is ripe enough.

Apricot Shalah can also be grown on private plots in southern latitudes. And it can be grown in more severe conditions, where the climate is not particularly stable or comfortable.

The Shalakh apricot tree begins to bear fruit about the fourth year after the seedling is planted, and after it has taken root in the open field.

At the same time, after the first fruiting, the harvest becomes abundant, annual. But here it is extremely important to maintain favorable conditions for growing a tree. And the responsibility for this lies entirely with the gardener himself.

As for the ripening of the Shalakh apricot, it lasts from mid-June to July. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the average yield per tree varies from 100 to 205 kilograms.

Under favorable conditions, when the gardener provided the plant with decent care, and the climate did not differ with sharp temperature changes, the weight of the crop from one tree during the fruiting period can exceed 350 kilograms.

Apricot variety Shalakh: care features

Apricot Shalakh: photo of the variety

Of course, like any fruit and berry plant, the Shalakh Armenian apricot needs care. Apricot Shalakh is a unique variety. As even those who do not have a certain experience in planting apricots can grow a large tree with a bountiful harvest.

Nevertheless, there are several basic rules, adhering to which you can only improve the plant. First, the grower is responsible for the correct garden plot for growing this apricot variety.

The place must be warm and sunny. Mainly in an area that will be protected from the wind. Since the wind may not have a particularly beneficial effect on the viability of a newly planted plant.

The soil should mainly belong to the loamy type of soil. Since it is considered the most suitable and fertile.

Secondly, planting is usually done in the spring, even before the tree enters the active growing season.

10-14 days before that, that is, almost two weeks before planting, it is necessary to prepare pits 60x60 centimeters. And their depth should be about 70 centimeters.

This position will be best suited for the apricot seedling, and will allow it to quickly take root in the soil, adapt to it. It is best to create artificial drainage in the pit - put rubble on the bottom.

It will retain all excess moisture, which will rid the plant of excess moisture.

This is very important because apricot trees, especially seedlings, are best kept dry. Otherwise, the root system can rot, get sick with various diseases. And this will put an end to the further viability of the plant, not to mention fruiting.

Planting holes are also best filled with a mixture of peat and soil, as well as some mineral components.

They will strengthen the root system of the plant, make it more resilient and stress-resistant. Especially if the plant is planted in an unstable climatic region.

It is best to install pegs in the center of the prepared pit. Which will then help to tie up the stem of the seedling so that it does not fall apart in different directions.

Advice from professional gardeners: the seedling should be positioned so that the root collar of the plant protrudes about 10 centimeters above the soil level, but no more.

This will allow the root to air out for the first few weeks. And airing is a favorable factor for the further growth of the apricot tree.

Despite the fact that the apricot variety Shalakh does not require special care from the gardener, it is still necessary to irrigate regularly. And also feeding with various mixtures and components.

Top dressing of Armenian apricot Shalakh can be of two main types: root dressing, and foliar dressing.

Foliar is carried out by spraying the deciduous part with nutrient solutions so that the agent is absorbed faster. At the same time, practice shows that these drugs are completely safe for human life and health.

It is also important to choose the right technique when pruning the crown - this will make it easier to harvest future crops in the future.

The harvest of the Shalakh apricot variety is well stored and transported. Therefore, apricots can be stored in a dark, dry place for a week, as well as transported from one place to another.

It is also worth noting that they can be eaten fresh, prepared salads, compotes and jams, dried. Thus, we can conclude that the apricots of this variety are quite unpretentious in cultivation and storage.

It is for this reason that they are incredibly popular not only among experienced gardeners, but also among those who are just starting this activity, and do not yet have sufficient experience and knowledge in growing and storing the harvest of apricots.

Considering all the features of planting an apricot tree and caring for it, even the most inexperienced gardener will be able to harvest a rich harvest in a short time and enjoy the fruits from his own garden, which is good news.

It should be noted that many garden fruit and berry plants today quickly adapt to environmental conditions, even if the climate is not stable.

At the same time, one should not forget that it depends solely on the gardener what the plant will be like, how quickly it will stretch, how it will grow, how it will bear fruit.

The advantage of many trees is in general that they do not need periodic replanting, they can stand in one place for many years. And that's really a pretty big plus.

Of the minuses, one can single out the fact that the tree needs pruning, and this is a rather laborious process.

In no case should you forget that pruning should be done under the supervision of a professional and follow clear instructions. Otherwise, some incorrect actions will ultimately lead to the death of the plant.

Apricots Shalakh: photo