November 30, 2017
Source: USU Extension
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Introduction Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) originated in China but can be grown in most of the western world including much of Utah. Like peaches, plums, and cherries, apricots have a large, hard pit or ‘stone’ in the fruit and are considered ‘stone fruits’. They are beautiful in flower and are among the most ornamental of the tree fruits. Apricots are a versatile fruit that can be dried, made into fruit leather, frozen, canned/bottled, made into jam/jelly, or eaten fresh.
Species and Cultivars of Apricots Some common winter-hardy, later blooming cultivars include ‘Chinese’ (‘Mormon’), ‘Moorpark’, ‘Goldrich’, ‘Tilton’ and ‘Harglow’. Of these, ‘Goldrich’ and 'Harglow’ are the latest blooming. Even though these cultivars are later blooming, they are still prone to spring freeze damage. All are good for eating fresh and general processing. The cultivar ‘Royal Blenheim’ is among the most popular apricots but is NOT recommended for Utah because it is not winter hardy and blooms very early.
General Information About Apricots Apricots are commonly grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8. Many common cultivars can survive Zone 4, but produce fruit sporadically because of frost damage to blossoms. Because apricots bloom early, damage to blossoms by spring freezes may sometimes occur even in warmer zones. Selecting cultivars that have long winter chilling requirements can potentially delay bloom and help reduce the risk of freeze damage. Manchurian (Prunus armeniaca mandshurica) and Siberian (Prunus armeniaca siberica) apricots can be grown in Zone 3. Fruit size is often smaller and of poorer quality than for other named cultivars. Some common Manchurian selections include ‘Mandan’, ‘Sungold’ and ‘Moongold’. Siberian apricot is available in commerce but no common cultivars exist.
Apricots are generally self-fruitful, but most will produce better when another cultivar with similar bloom time is nearby for pollinizing. Most fruit is borne on short spurs on 1-year-old wood that remain productive for 3 to 5 years. Fruit is typically harvested July through August (cultivar dependent), when they turn yellow or develop a red blush and begin to soften. Trees typically over-bear and will produce many small, less-useable fruits unless fruit is thinned. When fruits are grape-sized, thin to one fruit every 4 to 6 inches along the branch to increase size of remaining fruit and to maintain tree health.
Plum-Apricot Hybrids Plum and apricot readily cross pollinate and the resulting seeds will produce trees that are interspecific hybrids, with a wide range of these hybrids available in the marketplace. Plum-apricot hybrids range in genetic background and characteristics from predominantly plum to predominantly apricot, and are known in commercial trade as Plumcot, Pluot®, Aprium®, etc. (trademarks of Zaiger Genetics).
How to Grow Apricots Soil Preparation Apricots grow in most Utah soils as long as the soil has sufficient drainage. However, soil testing can help determine the appropriate amendments to add to a site before planting. Apply any deficient nutrients as indicated from soil tests and till into the soil. Apricots, like peaches and plums, have little tolerance of wet and heavy soils and will easily get root-rotting diseases in such conditions, especially when irrigation is not carefully managed. Apricots are very prone to iron chlorosis in the alkaline soils of Utah. Overwatering will significantly increase the risk of chlorosis and general tree decline as a result. Deep, infrequent irrigation and use of EDDHA chelated iron may help considerably. For more information on iron chlorosis management see the USU Iron Chlorosis in Berries fact sheet.
Planting and Spacing Trees should not be planted in lawns, because irrigation and fertilization needs for each are very different. Grass is usually watered more often than is ideal for trees. Grass also aggressively competes for nutrients such as nitrogen, and can slow the growth of fruit trees. The location should also be free of perennial weeds such as field bindweed and quackgrass.
Space trees 18 to 22 feet apart. For potted trees, prepare a hole for planting twice the width and the same depth as the container. Planting the tree at the same height as the rootball is important. If too shallow, the root ball will dry out. If too deep, lack of soil oxygen will cause root loss and trees will decline. For bare-root trees, prepare a hole slightly wider than the roots, and deep enough so that the root flare is just above the soil line and the graft is 2 to 4 inches above ground. Never allow the roots to dry out. Immediately after planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets around the roots. In windy areas, bare-root trees should be staked for 1 year. The stake should not remain for more than a year. For more specific information, see the YouTube video “USU Extension - How to Plant Bare Root Trees.”
Irrigation During the first season, irrigate at an interval that will keep the soil moist but not soggy. Depending on rainfall and temperature, irrigate about two times per week to ensure establishment. For the next few years, maintain a biweekly watering program that will apply around 30 inches of water over the season. This can be reduced if there is significant rainfall accumulation. Irrigation methods that apply water near the base of the tree, such as drip systems, soaker hoses, or hand watering, will keep the canopy dry and help prevent foliar disease.
Fertilization There are no specific fertilizer recommendations for apricots grown in a home orchard. Newly planted apricots should not be fertilized in the first year they are transplanted. Young apricot trees should produce new shoots that average 10 to 20 inches in length each year. For older trees, growth slows to 8 to 10 inches of new growth per year. Fertilization is not needed if growth rates are adequate. The most common limiting nutrient is nitrogen, and when inadequate, trees will not produce sufficient new growth. If planted near a lawn or garden that is fertilized, trees will usually get plenty of nutrition from those areas. Many factors including irrigation, diseases, soil type, and pests affect plant performance.
If any of these factors reduce vigor, fertilizer is not helpful. When trees are not growing satisfactorily, soil testing may be helpful in determining fertilization needs. It is important to understand that fertilizer is not a panacea that solves all plant problems. When nitrogen is needed, apply ½ to 1 cup 20-0-0 around the dripline of trees younger than 5 years old. If phosphorus and potassium are also deficient, apply a similar quantity of 16-16-16, or an equivalent balanced fertilizer. For older trees apply 1 to 2 cups.
Pruning
Prune/train apricot trees to an open vase system, similar to peaches. An open vase training system is done by selecting 3 to 4 branches that originate 18 to 24 inches above the ground that are evenly spaced around the tree to become the main “scaffold” branches. Remaining branches and the central stem are removed. Annual pruning on new and established trees is needed and should be done in late winter. Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. For established trees, remove about 25% of the branches to allow light penetration, increase fruit quality, and encourage new branch development.
Remember apricots produce fruit on spurs (short side shoots) up to 5 years old, so do not remove too much fruit-bearing wood. Remove suckers (shoots coming from the roots or stem below the graft) on a regular basis. A modified central leader system also works well, particularly in Utah’s hotter environments. A modified central leader results in more foliage in the middle of the tree, which in Utah’s hotter climates reduces sunburn on the fruit and scaffold branches. For more information on training and pruning see the USU Extension Bulletin Pruning the Home Orchard.
How to Harvest, Store, and Use Apricots
When ripe, fruit should be slightly soft and skin will change from green to yellow, red, orange, or combinations of these depending on cultivar. Yields of 3 to 4 bushels per tree may be expected, depending on cultivar. When harvesting, twist fruit slightly when pulling to avoid spur injury. Store slightly unripe apricots at room temperature until ripe. Ripe fruit can be refrigerated for 3-5 days. Apricots can be prepared and eaten using many methods including broiled, grilled, and poached. They can also be preserved by freezing, canning, or drying. For more information visit the USU Preserve the Harvest –Apricots factsheet.
Questions
For current and specific pest and disease information please visit the UtahPests IPM Website (www.utahpests.usu.edu) and subscribe to the tree fruit updates.
View more detailed information on apricot insects and diseases from Utah Pests.
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