APRICOT TREES - (Back)
Reads Nursery are National Collection Holders. of Citrus - Figs - Grapevines, for the National council for conservation of plants and Gardens N.C.C.PG.
Apricots are a member of the Rosacea’ family, as are plums, peaches etc. The centre of diversity is northeastern China near the Russian border around 2000bc and from there Apricots spread through central Asia, arriving in central Europe around 60 BC.
Growing Apricots;
Apricots are a rewarding fruit to grow, relatively undemanding apart from feed and water. A few basic rules are important for Apricot success.
Apricots like a well drained soil with a position in as much sun as possible, depending on the aspect of your garden you may select the spot which receives the most sun but beware, a south facing site may result in the Apricot tree blossoming earlier than usual, exposing the Apricot to frost, an east facing location or north slope is much more beneficial as they are usually sheltered from the prevailing winds and benefit from the early morning sun, We do not recommend a west facing site unless there is no other option. Apricot trees are very hardy to around -30f, but the blossom will be lost below 28f. Apricot blossom is self fertile but it helps to hand pollinate your Apricot tree with a small brush during blossom time.
Of course if your Apricot is in a pot then you can move it around to your hearts content to get the most sun.
Allow a space of around 15-20ft for a mature tree or 12 x 8 ft planted on a wall and trained. Most Apricots we grow are grafted onto a special Apricot seedling rootstock which avoids potential incompatibility with normal rootstocks, we do also graft onto St Julian still for trees which are a little dwarfer but not so long lived.
Pruning for Apricots is much the same as other stone fruit, only to be done when the sap is rising, the object being to keep your Apricot tree to a nice open shape to allow good air movement and the sun to penetrate the tree, removing branches that have been damaged or broken ,keeping the Apricot to a good balanced shape.
Apricots fruit on spurs therefore a framework can last 4 years or so, removal of older branches is needed to create new growth of the spurs.
There are many varieties of Apricot tree to choose from, varying in size, shape , colour and time of ripening, some of the newer Apricots such as Isabella or Goldcott are a little hardier on the blossom side, but this will not normally matter so much. For those of you who have never tasted a fresh Apricot, be ready for a surprise, as they are much sweeter and juicier than any you will find in the supermarkets
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