How to Grow a Beautiful Apricot Tree to Enjoy Delicious Apricots

Growing an apricot tree to enjoy delicious apricots is within everyone’s reach! Discover in this article all the tips and advice for growing a magnificent apricot tree in your garden and enjoying its sun-drenched fruits.

The key to growing a beautiful apricot tree and enjoying delicious apricots is proper planting. It is essential to plant the apricot tree in the fall to promote good rooting before spring. Make sure to respect a distance of at least 1.50 meters between each tree to allow good development.

The location of the apricot tree is also crucial. It needs plenty of sun to flower well and produce tasty fruits. Choose rich, well-drained soil, sheltered from strong winds to protect flowers and fruit. Opt for a late flowering variety to avoid spring frosts.

Caring for the apricot tree is relatively simple. Treat the tree at the end of winter to prevent disease, spray with Bordeaux mixture after flowering, and add fertilizer in spring and compost in fall. The self-fertility of most apricot trees simplifies their cultivation.

To protect the apricot tree against diseases and parasites, avoid spring frost, treat moniliosis with Bordeaux mixture, powdery mildew as soon as symptoms appear, and control aphids with suitable solutions.

Pruning the apricot tree is important to improve the harvest. Prune in spring to stimulate fruiting, and in fall to thin out the tree. Use healing putty after pruning to protect the tree from infection.

Finally, the choice of apricot tree variety is essential. Opt for popular varieties like Bergarouge, Bergeron, Hargrand, Luizet or Orangered for flavorful apricots. A well-maintained apricot tree withstands periods of temporary drought well, so avoid excessive watering if the tree is well established.

Planting the apricot tree

Planting an apricot tree at the right time is crucial to ensure a good harvest. It is recommended to plant in autumn to allow the tree to take root well before spring. If you plant in spring or summer, regular watering will be necessary at first.

Respect a distance of at least 1.50 meters between each tree if you plant several. The apricot tree benefits from a good hardiness and can tolerate temperatures down to -20°C, or even -25°C depending on the variety. However, watch out for late frosts when the tree is in flower.

Choice of location

The apricot tree requires a lot of sun to flower well and produce delicious fruit. He prefers a rich, well-drained soil, and it is essential to avoid excessively humid areas and waterlogged soils. Choose a location sheltered from strong winds to protect flowers and fruits.

Choose a variety to late flowering like the Polish apricot tree to minimize the risk of spring frosts.

Apricot tree care

Maintaining the apricot tree is relatively simple as long as it is well established. To prevent disease, treat the tree at the end of winter with Bordeaux mixture to prevent the apricot rot (moniliosis).

• After flowering, spray with Bordeaux mixture to protect the fruits.
• In spring, add 1 or 2 handfuls of specific fertilizer for fruit trees.
• In the fall, spread compost or manure at the base of the tree.

L’self-fertility of the majority of apricot trees also simplifies their cultivation, not necessarily requiring other trees for pollination.

Protection against diseases and parasites

It is essential to protect the apricot tree against certain diseases and parasites which can weaken the tree and harm the harvest. Avoid it spring frost by planting in a sunny location protected from the wind.

Common illnesses include:

• Moniliosis : The apricots rot on the tree. Treat with Bordeaux mixture.
• Powdery mildew : Attacks young apricots, with the appearance of whitish spots. Treat as soon as symptoms appear.
• Aphids : Frequent parasites, they can be controlled with natural solutions or appropriate treatments.

Apricot tree pruning

The pruning of the apricot tree plays a crucial role in improving the harvest. She makes herself in spring Or in autumn to balance the tree and promote fruiting.

• In spring : Prune before vegetation resumes to stimulate the appearance of fruits.
• In autumn : Thin the tree after the leaves have fallen. Reduce stems that have borne fruit and remove fragile branches.

Use a healing putty after pruning to protect the tree from infections.

Recommended varieties

Choosing the right variety of apricot tree is essential to ensure a good harvest. Here are some popular varieties:

• Bergarouge : Large red apricot, sweet and juicy, harvested in mid-July.
• Bergeron : Yellow apricot, juicy, harvested in August, frost resistant.
• Hargrand : Ideal for jams, harvested mid-July.
• Luizet : Very juicy, harvested mid-July.
• Orangered : Early, harvested from the beginning of June, crunchy.

Smart advice

A well-maintained apricot tree resists periods of temporary drought well. Avoid overwatering, especially if the tree is well established.