Velvet

This variety was obtained at the North Caucasus Regional Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture (Krasnodar) through interspecific hybridization of the white peach 'Napoleon' with the plum variety 'Anadolskaya'. Authors: M.A. Kolesnikov, I.M. Kirichek, E.M. Alekhina. Approved for use since 1987 in the North Caucasus region.

The tree is vigorous with a wide-oval, well-leafed, moderately dense crown; branches are thick, straight, brown with a gray coating. Leaves are elongated-oval, medium-sized, dark green, moderately pointed, with a rounded base, upper leaf margin slightly raised, doubly serrated, without pubescence. Petiole is long, medium thickness, light green with a pinkish tinge. Stipules are arranged 2 per petiole, rarely 3, dark red, oval. Flowers are arranged in clusters of 2-4, medium size, with a dish-shaped corolla, oval petals arranged loosely, white, calyx bell-shaped, sepals colored, smooth, stamens short and medium length, stigma long, positioned above the anthers. Fruits develop on flower clusters (78%) and on bases of one-year-old shoots.

Fruits are above average size, mass 7.0–7.8 g (2.1 x 2.3 x 2.0), heart-shaped, with intense coloration; at full maturity, the skin is nearly black, flesh and juice are dark red with very firm texture. Pedicel is medium-sized. Pit is medium (0.3 g), round, beige, with rounded tip and base. Fruits are very attractive, with an aesthetic rating of 4.5–4.7 points. Flavor is good and harmonious (taste rating 4.7 points). Fruit detachment from the pedicel is medium, dry detachment. Contains 13.7% sugars, 0.8% acids, 10 mg/100g ascorbic acid, 436 mg/100g P-active compounds. Suitable for universal use, used for high-quality compotes, dried fruits, candied fruits, and freezing.

Blooms late, fruits ripen simultaneously, in medium maturity. Enters fruiting at age 5 years. Self-sterile. Yield is high; during full fruiting (13 years) — 40–45 kg/tree — over 9.0 t/ha, maximum 15.0 t/ha, under planting scheme 8 x 6.

Winter hardiness of fruit buds is good, wood is medium, cold resistance is high. Sufficiently resistant to fungal diseases, drought resistance is medium.

Advantages of the variety: high transportability, disease resistance, universal use.

Disadvantages of the variety: insufficient wood frost resistance.