japanese apricot tree care

Japanese Apricot Tree Care The trees grow best in well drained, fertile, acidic soils with extra organic matter. Care also involves planting in full sun; if it is grown in shade, it can hinder the development of its blossoms. Pruning Japanese apricot trees also helps with optimum flowering.

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.

How many years does it take for an apricot tree to produce fruit?

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

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.

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.

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.

Do apricot trees need pruning?

Prune apricot trees in late winter or early spring as the new leaves and flowers begin to open. During this period of time the tree is actively growing and the pruning cuts heal quickly so that diseases have little chance to enter the wounds. It also corrects problems early, and your cuts will be smaller.

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.

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.

How much water do apricot trees need?

The trees will need an inch (2.5 cm.) of water weekly, especially during bloom and fruiting. Use a drip irrigation system to avoid wet leaves, flowers and fruit. Be sure your apricot tree care includes thinning of the fruit once it comes in; thin the fruits to 1 ½ to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm.)

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.

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.

Can apricot trees grow in pots?

Apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) grow well in containers and are a good choice for gardeners with big plans but limited space. ... Gardeners in warm, Mediterranean climates must make sure to plant low chill apricot varieties that do not require a lengthy cold season to produce fruit.

Why do apricot trees die?

As we discussed, there is a common fungus disease of apricots call Eutypa die back that is spread by splashing rain and enters through pruning wounds. For this reason, apricot trees should be pruned now (early Fall), never during the wet winter.

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.

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.

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.

Why is my apricot tree oozing sap?

Answer: Gummosis is the oozing of sap from wounds or cankers on fruit trees. It can result from environmental stress, mechanical injury, or disease and insect infestation. Cytospora canker, or Valsa canker, the fungal cause of gummosis, affects stone fruit trees such as apricot, cherry, peach and plum.

Why does my apricot tree not bear fruit?

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.

Do apricots fruit on new wood?

Apricots bear fruit on spurs, the ripened wood that bears for up to four years. Without regular pruning, new wood is not forced into growth and production suffers in later years. Pruning of apricots aims to balance stimulating the growth of new wood with retaining fruit-producing ripe wood.

How do you prune a neglected apricot tree?

Proper treatment can revitalize aging wood and promote lush new growth.

Clean and sterilize pruning shears and loppers with bleach or rubbing alcohol. ...
Prune off branches with flaking, discolored or mushy bark. ...
Lop off downward-growing branches and any branch segments blocking sunlight from lower branches.

Can you prune apricot trees in summer?

Summer is also a good time to prune stonefruit so they can heal while still in active growth – the best time is immediately after fruiting, especially for apricots.