'Nikitski Ranni' is also known as 'PI 483118', 'Russian 19', 'DPUN 67', 'Nikitski-Ranni', 'Nikiski Ranni', Nikitski Early, 'Crimson Sky', and 'Никитский Ранний'.
'Nikitski Ranni' originated from 'Nikitsky Botanical Gardens' in Crimea, Ukraine, later Crimea became part of Russia, so 'Nikitsky Botanical Gardens' became located in Russia'. 'Nikitsky Botanical Gardens' may have got this cultivar from 'Bulgaria'.
This cultivar was test grown in Russia at the 'Kara-Kala Turkmenistan Experimental Station', that 'Experimental Station' collected a cutting of 'Nikitski Ranni' for their experiments on 'May 11th 1976', that cutting was most likely collected from 'Nikitsky Botanical Gardens'', which was located in Ukraine at the time.
That 'Experimental Station' donated cuttings of 'Nikitski Ranni' which were imported to the USA 'by the USDA' on January 1982. Every cultivar that the 'Experimental Station' helped to import to the USA was labeled as a Russian pomegranate, regardless of their original origin. A few Months after the cuttings of 'Nikitski Ranni' were imported to the USA a 'Turkmenistian' government officially took full control of 'Turkmenistian', this event took place about 8 years after 'Turkmenistian' gained it's independence from Russia.
About as cold hardy as 'Salavatski'.
It's very cold hardy, to at least -15 Celsius '5 degrees Fahrenheit', most likely more cold hardy than that. When big enough this cultivar can survive late frosts.
It's very juicy fruit has a Neon Red skin, possibly with a touch of pink.
The fruits of 'Nikitski Ranni' are medium to large, up to 6 inches in diameter. It's medium to large arils are dark red, they have a good yet complex taste. Sweet with just a little bit of tartness. The seeds inside the arils are hard. It's fruit is resistant to cracking. It's fruit starts to mature in September, and lasts until sometime in October. This cultivar is high production. It's fruit is very fruit rot resistant.
One of the first to flower: Late May to early June.
This cultivar can reach about 9 3/4 feet in height/about 6 1/2 feet in width, and it's very resistant to drought.
