Apricot trees

WE ORDERED (arrived bare root on 2/16/09) :

*Genetic dwarf apricot named 15MA522 (icky), compact tree, estimated required 600 chill hours,

*Nemaguard peach rootstock, vigorous, resistant to root-knot nematode, unpruned tree height of standard varieties 15-25 ft, but trees on this stock can be held to any height with summer pruning.

*Will plant in a used 1/2 wine barrel purchased at Raley's.

Apricots more closely related to plums than peaches; most are self-fertile

Fruit buds are normally produced on spurs that fruit for two to four years and on the tips of last season’s shoot growth; pruning has been shown to be the best way to reduce competition among excess fruit.

Apricot trees are large and sturdy; fruit buds similar in hardiness to peach but quite susceptible to drying by cold winter winds, consequently apricots produce best if grown in a sheltered spot in the landscape.

Earliest fruit tree to flower in the spring; best trained to modified central leader system; trees should be pruned lightly in their early years, just enough to develop a sufficient scaffold structure; in northern regions you may want to postpone pruning until after bloom and spring frosts so you can tailor your pruning severity somewhat to the amount of crop you can anticipate; direct much of the pruning of the mature tree to keep in contained to the height and width practical for your garden

Rootstock
Myrobalan (plum rootstock) is very well adapted to heavy, wet soils; produces well anchored standard size tree.


Varieties adapted to the Pacific coast – Blenheim, Goldbar, Goldrich, Goldstrike, Moorpark, Perfection, Puget Sound, Rival, Tomcot, Wenatchee

Low chill apricots – Earligold, Garden Annie (600), Newcastle (350), Perfection (600)

Average years to bearing – 4-5 years
Average yield per tree – 50 to 100 pounds
Space needed per tree – 20 foot circle
Average mature height – 20+ feet
Days from bloom to harvest – 80 to 90 days
Pollination requirements – many are self-fruitful, but produce better with cross pollination
Most common pruning system – modified central leader
Commonly used rootstock – Apricot seedling or Myrobalan (plum rootstock)
Common insect pests – Curculio, oriental fruit moth
Common diseases – Brown rot
Useful life – 12 + years
Number of trees for a family of four – 1 to 2 trees
Bears fruit on 2 to 4 year old spurs and tips of new growth


Moorpark (England 1760)

Tilton
Resistant to late frost; purportedly one of the best tasting; approximate harvest date July 1 to July 10; 600 chill hours; widely adapted; semi-dwarf stock from Peaceful Valley

Harcot
Approx harvest date June 5 to June 15th; 700 chill hours; frost hardy; late blooming; resists brow rot and perennial canker; very tasty; semi-dwarf stock from Peaceful Valley

Chinese Apricot