How to properly grow an apricot from a stone at home

The fact that you can find different varieties of apricot seedlings on sale does not stop gardeners from wanting to grow them on their own. The idea of ​​\ u200b \ u200bmaking a large tree out of a small bone, for some it occurs because of the high price of seedlings, for others - for the sake of experiment. Fearing that the apricot will not grow, gardeners are looking for a solution to this problem on the Internet. The following material will allow you to avoid mistakes in growing seedlings from seed at home.

Is it possible to grow an apricot from a stone at home

On this issue, the opinion of practitioners of growing seedlings of gardeners was divided. Some believe that a good apricot tree adapted to the climate can be obtained from the seed. Others argue that seedlings are best grown by grafting on stone fruit crops. The option with a bone will be successful if you know some of the subtleties of breeding them.... Otherwise, the apricot will turn out to be "wild".

The stone method allows you to grow as many seedlings as you like. By subsequently selecting the strongest plants, you can get trees superior to their parents in taste and fruit size. It is best to take seeds from apricots that grow in your area as planting material.... If there is such an opportunity, you can order planting material from gardeners living in the Northern regions or Siberia.

Apricots growing in harsh climatic conditions will take root well in any region. When buying apricots for cultivation on the market, choose domestic fruits, they must be ripe and large. It is very difficult to grow imported varieties, but for the sake of experiment you can try... The resulting bones do not need to be split; it is enough to wash and dry them.

Where can you grow an apricot from a stone

In outskirts of Moscow

For growing seedlings, bones of hardy and self-fertile varieties should be taken. Heat-loving varieties will not work, they will not withstand the climate of this zone. It is better to give preference to frost-resistant trees. The most suitable varieties for the Moscow region:

• Red-cheeked
• Hardy
• Russian
• Honey
• Snegirek
• Northern triumph

In Central Russia

Apricots bred on the basis of the Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences will feel good. Due to their biological characteristics, these varieties are distinguished by their hardiness and good adaptability. The varieties most adapted to the conditions of the given strip:

• Iceberg
• Alyosha
• Aquarius
• Countess
• Lel
• Monastyrsky
• Favorite
• Bai

In Siberia

Gardeners manage to grow seed apricots, even under the conditions of the harsh Siberian winter... The hardening of seeds and deep planting will help to achieve the survival rate of seedlings. It is very difficult to grow an apricot in Siberia, since in winter the ground freezes in places up to 2-2.5 meters. The most winter-hardy varieties for this region:

• Sayansky
• Mountain Abakan
• Kichiginsky
• Honey
• Chelyabinsk early
• Snezhinsky
• East Siberian

The conditions for growing apricots for these regions, in contrast to the South-East, require special conditions for planting, care and shelter for the winter.

How to choose a seed for planting?

In the description above, it was already mentioned that it is better to take Far Eastern or Siberian apricot varieties as planting material. They are easier to germinate and take root better. If southern and Asian varieties are planted, they will freeze or grow very weak. For planting, take ripe, unspoiled fruits... The pulp should separate well from the stone. There should be no traces of mold, worms and chips inside the apricot. The removed bones must be washed with water. To prevent the bones from becoming moldy during storage, they need to be treated with hydrogen peroxide and dried.

Planting and growing conditions

Bones are planted in the soil in the fall, if this is done in the summer, they can be destroyed by rodents. Several seeds are sown at once, since not every one will grow. In order for the seedling to be hardened, it is necessary to produce artificial or natural stratification.... The procedure will allow you to grow strong and hardy seedlings for the northern regions from seeds without any problems.

Natural stratification is carried out in the month of January-February. The bones must be placed inside the container with drainage holes. Cover them with damp sand, bury them in the ground, or just leave them outside... Artificially, the hardening procedure is carried out in the refrigerator. The container with sand and seeds is moistened, placed on the shelf of the refrigerator until spring.

Planting seeds:

1. Bones matured under frosty conditions are transplanted into the ground with the onset of stable weather. In terms of timing, this period falls on March or April.
2. The farther north the area, the deeper the seeds need to be planted. Planting depth in Central Russia 4-7 cm.
3. So that the soil does not dry out, sowing needs to be watered regularly. Seedlings usually appear in May. Before the beginning of autumn, they need to be watered intensively.
4. As soon as the seedlings grow to height 5-7 cm, it is necessary to ensure loosening of the soil. This must be done carefully, otherwise the roots can be damaged.
5. It is better to remove diseased and weak plants. at the initial stage of growing.
6. The plant will root well if in the second half of summer apply nitrogen fertilizers.
7. So that the seedlings do not freeze during wintering, they must be covered with cut plastic bottles.

For good pollination, it is better to plant several varieties at once. In dry weather, do not allow the soil to dry out. With an excess of moisture, you need to loosen the ground more often, this measure will save the roots from decay.

Transplanting a seedling into open ground

The first year the plant is not disturbed. When spring comes, pinch the top... Until autumn, the seedling is watered, fertilized and loosened. For the winter, they are covered with spruce branches. In the spring, the shelter is removed. The formed twigs are pinched again. If the growth of the seedling stretches in one direction, it can be tied up.

A biennial plant is transplanted into open ground to a new place in autumn or early spring. Planting sequence:

1. Dig holes 50-60 cm deep... Place leaves, sawdust or branches at the bottom, they will act as drainage.
2. Place a seedling on the bottom of the pit... Smooth out the root, it should not look out of the hole. Cover with earth, tamp and water abundantly.
3. After planting, the seedlings are provided regular watering, at least 20 liters of water per hole.

The growth of the apricot must be constantly monitored. Patient and caring gardeners will surely grow a beautiful apricot seed garden. The fruits will look special, and their taste will be unique.... Thanks to the efforts, do-it-yourself apricots will become the pride of the gardener.

Care of a young seedling in spring and autumn

The growth of the tree depends on proper care. Therefore, it is so important to follow some rules. The entire growing period of a seedling requires more care than a perennial tree. The more effort will be spent on leaving, the more generous the harvest can be expected. General rules for caring for seedlings grown from seed:

1. Fertilize apricots in autumn and spring... In order for the soil to breathe, it is loosened. Remove weeds.
2. From the moment of transplanting the tree requires fungicide treatment from diseases and pests.
3. For the seedling to be properly formed, trim... In summer, thin out the young shoots growing inward. Pruning will allow you to form a compact and easy-to-harvest tree.

4. For the winter, insulate the trunk with sacking... To prevent the wind from breaking a young tree, it should be tied to an even post.
5. In the first year of flowering, it is better to remove the apricot inflorescences... This measure will allow for a rich harvest for the next season. The tree will give good crown growth.

Gardeners, based on their observations, note: the fruits of such trees are less likely to get sick and are practically never wormy. Ripe apricots will taste different from their parent varieties. Thanks to such experiments, it is possible to obtain a variety that is unique in its characteristics.The tree will begin to bear fruit at 5-7 years... If the seeds are planted after the first harvest, even more resistant seedlings of the second generation will grow. The presented material can be a great idea for a profitable business for growing apricot seedlings in your country house for sale.