Care Of Apricot Trees Apricot Tree Growing In The Home Garden

How to Grow and Care for an Apricot Tree

1. Stake your tree in windy climates. ...
2. Fertilize in late winter and late summer. ...
3. Prune every year to remove dead or diseased branches. ...
4. Thin your apricot fruit when necessary. ...
5. Monitor for diseases. ...
6. Prevent pests from damaging your tree. ...
7. Harvest in mid- to late summer.

1. How do you take care of an apricot tree?
2. What is the best fertilizer for apricot trees?
3. What do you spray apricot trees with?
4. Does apricot tree need full sun?
5. Do apricot trees need lots of water?
6. Do you need 2 apricot trees to produce fruit?
7. How long do apricot trees live?
8. How long does it take for an apricot tree to bear fruit?
9. How often should you water an apricot tree?
10. How do you treat gummosis on apricot trees?
11. How do you kill an apricot tree?
12. Why do apricots split on the tree?
13. When should you plant an apricot tree?
14. How deep do apricot tree roots grow?
15. Do apricot trees lose leaves in winter?
16. Why is my apricot tree not fruiting?
17. How do you prune a mature apricot tree?
18. Are apricots good for you?
19. Do you need a male and female apricot tree?
20. Are all apricot trees self-pollinating?

How do you take care of an apricot tree?

The trees need full sun and well-drained sandy or loamy soil that is at least 4 feet deep. In addition, they require 600 to 900 hours of winter temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit to set fruit. Apricot trees need a cold rain in late winter when the blossoms are ready to open, followed by dry spring weather.

What is the best fertilizer for apricot trees?

If your mature apricot is in good general health but shows reduced vigor and poor fruit production, it is time to fertilize. Apply a balanced fertilizer, 16-16-16, for example, in early spring (late February or March) and fall (late September or October). Apply no more than 2 pounds of actual nitrogen per year.

What do you spray apricot trees with?

Spraying apricot trees for pests doesn't stop with the coming of spring. Right at the time of bud break, spray with a fixed copper fungicide to kill off brown rot and shot hole fungi. You may need to use an active apricot fruit tree spray during the growing season if you see any pests or fungus.

Does apricot tree need full sun?

Plant apricots in full sun. They can grow in partial shade, but the yield will be less than if grown in full sun. Plant apricots in a well-drained loamy soil. Apricots do not like wet roots.

Do apricot trees need lots of water?

Apricot trees require deep watering, especially when they begin bearing fruit. To avoid over-watering your apricot trees, water the trunk and base areas every two weeks or so, giving your trees a healthy soak.

Do you need 2 apricot trees to produce fruit?

There does not have to be a second apricot tree for the blooms to produce fruit for most apricots, because most varieties are self-fruitful. The blooms appear during early March or the end of February and require dry weather to remain on the tree and produce fruit.

How long do apricot trees live?

Apricot trees are perennials, meaning that they can live for very long periods of time; apricots usually live between 40 and 150 years.

How long does it take for an apricot tree to bear fruit?

Apricot trees typically bear fruit three to four years after planting.

How often should you water an apricot tree?

Once every 10 days or two weeks is plenty. Worse than dry, thirsty roots is waterlogged, drowning roots. Although a little depression in the soil aids summer watering, it's important to bring the soil around the tree up to the level of the surrounding soil for the winter.

How do you treat gummosis on apricot trees?

If you want to know how to treat gummosis, remove the darkened area of bark from the tree, plus a strip of the healthy bark until the wound is surrounded by a margin of healthy bark. Once this is done, let the area dry. Keep checking the area and repeat the bark trimming if necessary.

How do you kill an apricot tree?

Make a cut that extends entirely around the tree's trunk, creating a girdle at least 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches deep and 2 to 6 inches wide. Make the cut with a saw, or use a hatchet or ax to make a series of overlapping cuts. This girdling or frilling alone can kill the tree's canopy but will not prevent resprouting.

Why do apricots split on the tree?

As discussed, apricot fruit splitting is caused when there is a period of drought followed by a drenching rain. The apricot tree is so parched it sucks up the water faster than it can grow, causing the fruit's skin to stretch and crack. ... Apricots are harvested before fruit has fully ripened on the tree.

When should you plant an apricot tree?

Container grown apricot trees can be planted at any time during the year, but they do best when planted in the early spring. Spring planting allows the tree time to become established before cold weather arrives. The tree is planted at the same height it grows in the nursery container.

How deep do apricot tree roots grow?

Almost all of the apricot root system was located in the first 0.75 m of soil depth, with 91% in the first 0.50 m. More than 75% of the roots corresponded to thin roots, with a diameter less than 0.2 mm.

Do apricot trees lose leaves in winter?

Apricot Tree Winter Care

Your apricot tree will go into dormancy over winter and lose all its leaves - this is normal!

Why is my apricot tree not fruiting?

The apricot tree's lack of fruit production could be due to flower or young fruit damage from weather; it could be due to reduced pollination, also potentially affected by weather; it could be due to tree damage caused by a pest or pests, or it could be a nutrition issue for the tree.

How do you prune a mature apricot tree?

How to Prune an Apricot Tree

1. Remove all damaged or broken shoots and limbs.
2. Remove all branches with a narrow crotch—those that grow up more than out.
3. Remove all branches that are within 18 inches (46 cm.) ...
4. Shorten the main trunk to a height of 36 inches (91 cm.).

Are apricots good for you?

Apricots are a delicious fruit packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. They have multiple benefits, including improved eye, skin, and gut health. Fresh or dried, apricots are easy to add to yogurt, salads, and main meals.

Do you need a male and female apricot tree?

It is often said that two fruit trees are needed for production, but it's not because there are separate male and female trees. ... Although some apricot varieties will set some fruit on their own, two different varieties are best for cross-pollination.

Are all apricot trees self-pollinating?

Most apricots, nectarines, peaches and sour cherries are typical examples of self-pollinating trees. Requiring a Pollinator — trees that need to be pollinated by another variety of tree. Most apples, pears, plums and sweet cherries are typical examples of this type of tree.