Pluot Melitopolski Chernyy – AB

Description

Pluot Melitopolski Chernyy

The Pluot ‘Melitopolski Chernyy’, also known as the black apricot, is an exceptional hybrid from Russian research. This remarkable variety is the result of a cross between a Caucasian apricot tree and a Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), creating a unique fruit with exceptional taste qualities.

Its name “Chernyy” means “black” in Russian, referring to its characteristic dark burgundy, almost black color. This revolutionary fruit offers a perfect alternative to the traditional apricot, particularly suitable for regions with frosty springs where the classic apricot tree struggles to fruit.

Characteristics of Pluot Melitopolski Chernyy

🍑 Unique Appearance: The fruits have a dark burgundy skin, almost black, slightly downy like an apricot. With a generous size of around 70 grams, they offer a striking contrast with their bright orange to red flesh that is perfectly reminiscent of apricot.

🍯 Exceptional taste qualities: The flesh is juicy, non-fibrous and melting, developing a taste that is akricot with a delicious honey flavor. A slight acidity brings a perfect balance, the taste evolving from sweet and sour to sweeter when fully ripe.

🌳 Origin and selection: Selected by Russian research, this vigorous hybrid is descended from Prunus x dasycarpa. It represents the heritage of the vast Russian plains and embodies the richness of nature in its most accomplished form.

Exceptional disease resistance

The Pluot ‘Melitopolski Chernyy’ has a remarkable resistance to the two most problematic diseases of the apricot tree: Pseudomonas and Moniliose. This natural strength makes it an ideal choice for humid regions such as the North of France.

Where moniliosis can kill a traditional apricot tree, this plum × apricot hybrid thrives without difficulty. Its high resistance to frost of the flowers, comparable to that of Siberian hybrid plum trees, gives it exceptional production reliability.

Climate adaptation and hardiness

This variety is excellent for cool climates and has exceptional hardiness. Its late flowering and frost hardiness, combined with its natural resistance, gives the pluot ‘Melitopolski Chernyy’ great potential for the production of apricot substitute fruit in frosty regions in spring.

It adapts particularly well to harsh conditions where the traditional apricot tree fails, opening up new possibilities for fruit cultivation in previously unfavourable areas.

Cultivation and maintenance

🌱 Planting: This self-fertile hybrid does not require the presence of other trees to fruit. It adapts to a variety of soils and guarantees rapid growth with the various rootstocks available.

🌿 Recommended rootstocks:

• Myrobolan: Perfect for wet terrain thanks to its high resistance to excess water
• St. Julien A: Suitable for dry soils with marked drought resistance
• St. Julien INRA II: For a versatile tree, adapts to a variety of soils

💧 Interview: Like plum and apricot trees, Pluot requires regular pruning, adequate watering and monitoring against diseases and pests. However, its natural resistance makes it much easier to maintain.

Flowering and fruiting

The late flowering is a major advantage of this variety, allowing it to escape spring frosts. This characteristic, combined with the hardiness of the flowers, ensures reliable and consistent production.

The wood resembles that of the apricot tree while the foliage leans more towards the plum tree, creating an interesting ornamental aspect to the garden.

Harvesting and tasting

The harvest is carried out from the end of July to August, at the same time as the mirabelle plums. This period of late ripening for an “apricot tree” allows the stone fruit season to be spread out and to offer apricot flavors when the traditional varieties are finished.

🍽️ Tasting : The Pluot ‘Melitopolski Chernyy’ is best enjoyed chilled, allowing you to fully appreciate its melting texture and complex aromas. Its exceptional taste quality makes it a first-rate table fruit.

Unique Benefits

This pluot offers several decisive advantages:

• Apricot alternative: Perfect substitute in regions where the traditional apricot tree cannot bear fruit
• Disease resistance: Natural protection against Pseudomonas and Moniliosis
• Self-fertile: Assured production without the need for pollinators
• Hardiness: Adaptation to cool climates and frost resistance
• Taste quality: Apricot taste with unique honey notes

Fruit Innovation

The Pluot ‘Melitopolski Chernyy’ represents a real innovation in the field of fruit growing. By combining the best characteristics of the apricot and plum trees, he pushes the geographical and climatic limits of fruit cultivation.

This variety could also be named “aprium” because of its apricot dominance, a term that is the contraction of apricot and plum, emphasizing its unique hybrid nature.

A gem in your garden

The Pluot ‘Melitopolski Chernyy’ is much more than just a fruit tree: it is a jewel that amazes with its unique colour and exquisite taste. It offers a spectacular harvest of fruit with a surprising colour, creating a true celebration of indulgence and an invitation to taste discovery.

For lovers of original fruits and gardeners wishing to grow “apricots” in difficult conditions, this variety represents a perfect solution combining beauty, resistance and exceptional taste quality. To discover more exceptional pluots, also explore the Pluot Cierna Marhula, another hybrid variety with remarkable qualities.

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