Japanese Apricot Tree Care How To Grow Japanese Apricot Trees

Japanese apricot tree care is vital to the growth of the tree. 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.

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

How to Grow and Care for an Apricot Tree. Apricot trees typically bear fruit three to four years after planting.

Where is the best place to plant an apricot tree?

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.

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 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.

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 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.

What soil do apricot trees like?

Apricots flourish on deep, moisture retentive, well-drained, ideally slightly alkaline soils and struggle in poor, shallow soils. Dig in one bucketful of well-rotted organic material before planting. Plant during the dormant season from November to March. Autumn is ideal as the soil is still warm.

How much sun does an apricot tree need?

Requirements. 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.

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 do I get my apricot tree to produce fruit?

Since apricots bloom on two-year-old wood, you have to be really careful how you prune them and realize that any year with heavy pruning may lead to a couple of years without fruit. Leave plenty of old growth to balance the new when you're pruning apricot trees in the future, but do prune to stimulate fruit production.

Is cow manure good for trees?

All Manures are not Equal

Fertilize trees in early spring so they can use the nutrients during active growth. ... Cow manure is usually aged into compost before it is sold, so it also makes for a good tree manure. Sheep manure has a high nitrogen content, but it has a lower content of other nutrients.

Can apricot trees grow in pots?

Apricots: Apricot trees generally get too big (about 15 feet) to grow in containers for any prolonged period. However, some catalogs sell varieties on dwarfing rootstocks. ... Trees require annual pruning to remain healthy and fruitful. The fruit must be thinned to reach full size.

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.

Do apricot trees fruit every year?

Some apricots are also alternate-bearing – meaning, like avocados, they don't produce fruit every single year. Sometimes they put out every other year, and sometimes every third year. And then, there is the rain equation. Apricots bloom early in February and March – the height of our rainy season in normal years.

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.

What time of year do you prune apricot trees?

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.

Is there a dwarf apricot tree?

Garden Annie Dwarf Apricot is another fantastic self-fertile genetic dwarf fruit tree for those who want delicious home grown fruit but are limited on space. Its mature height is only 8 to 10 feet. ... These apricot trees are also self-fertile.

Which fruit tree lives the longest?

Fruit Trees: Persimmons are some of the longer lived fruit trees, reaching up to 75 years. Figs and apples average out at 30-40 years; while Asian pears and peach trees may only last 15 years. Ornamental peaches and cherries are in the 20-30 year range. Eve's Necklace Sophora affinis lives to an average of 50 years.

What is the longest living fruit tree?

The Endicott Pear Tree, also known as the Endecott Pear, is a European Pear (Pyrus communis) tree, located in Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. It is believed to be the oldest living cultivated fruit tree in North America.

How deep are apricot roots?

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.