Black apricot (Prunus dasycarpa) ČERNYJ PRINC

Black Apricot (Prunus dasycarpa) 'Chernyj Prints'

The ultimate giant among black apricots: a unique hybrid with massive fruits, dessert quality, and extreme frost resistance.

The 'Chernyj Prints' (Black Prince) variety is the undisputed king of black apricots. This unique interspecific hybrid combines the best qualities of apricot, Siberian plum, and cherry plum. The result is an exotic-looking tree that surprises with fruit sizes previously unseen in dark hybrids. It is the perfect choice for growers in cooler climates seeking a complex-flavored dessert fruit with the security of a consistent and heavy harvest without the need for chemical intervention.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Gigantic Fruits: The largest black apricot on the market (up to 90 g with thinning).
• Extreme Frost Hardiness: Easily withstands temperatures down to -30 °C (-22 °F).
• Late Blooming: Its late bloom time ensures protection against late spring frosts.
• High Immunity: Genetically resistant to monilia rot and shot-hole disease (ideal for organic growing).
• Dessert Flavor: A harmonious blend of apricot, plum, and sweet nectarine notes.
• Self-fertile and very early onset of bearing.

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: Ukraine (Artyomovsk Research Station). A complex hybrid of an Austro-French apricot-plum cross (Prunus × dasycarpa) and Siberian plums.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor and Habit: Medium vigor (height 3.5 – 4 m). It forms a compact, naturally thin crown, which ensures excellent light penetration for the fruit.
• Interesting Fact: Small thorns may appear on young branches (3-6 years old), a legacy of its plum ancestry.
• Pollination: The variety is self-fertile. However, for record harvests, the presence of another apricot or hybrid plum nearby is recommended.

Fruit

• Size and Color: Unusually large, round-oval fruits. Color turns from wine-burgundy to almost black at full maturity.
• Flesh: Bright orange with red veins, elastic, and extremely juicy. The small pit separates well from the flesh when fully ripe.
• Flavor: Rich and complex. Combines apricot sweetness with the refreshing acidity of cherry plum. When fully ripe, it tastes like a sweet nectarine.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost and Diseases: One of the hardiest apricots available. Excellent resistance to monilia rot and shot-hole disease.
• Water Requirements: The variety has lower drought tolerance. To achieve large fruit, regular irrigation is required, especially during fruit development.

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest Time: Late variety, ripening from August to early September.
• Yield: High and consistent. A mature tree yields 23 – 30 kg, reaching up to 50 kg in record years.