Ruqayyah Snyder
Apricot trees are a wonderful addition to any Australian garden, offering glorious autumn colour and an abundance of juicy fruit. However, they do require careful tending to ensure a healthy harvest. Apricot trees are susceptible to fungal diseases, so pruning is essential to ensure good air circulation and sunlight exposure. The trees should be planted in full sun, in well-drained soil, and staked to protect them from strong winds. They need regular watering, especially during bloom and fruiting, and the soil should be fertilised to ensure the trees get adequate nutrition. To prevent pest problems, netting can be used to protect the fruit from birds and other wildlife. With the right care, apricot trees will provide a bountiful harvest of delicious fruit for years to come.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planting Time | Winter |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, slightly alkaline, with plenty of organic matter |
| Watering | 2.5 cm of water weekly, especially during bloom and fruiting |
| Fertilising | Autumn or late winter, mid-spring, and mid-summer |
| Pruning | Required for tree health, shape, and fruit production; timing depends on tree age and location |
| Pests and Diseases | Birds, rats, bats, possums, fungi, and insects |
| Harvesting | November to February; fruit is ripe when slightly soft and easily separates from twigs |
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What You'll Learn
- Apricot trees require well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with plenty of organic matter
- Pruning is essential to maintaining tree health, shape, and fruit production
- Apricots are sensitive to frost damage and fungal infections
- Watering requirements vary by season and tree age
- Harvesting typically occurs from November to February
Apricot trees require well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with plenty of organic matter
If your soil does not drain well, consider building a mound or raised bed, or planting your tree in a pot. You can also improve drainage by digging a hole twice as deep and wide as the root ball and planting your tree in it. Fill the hole with water and let it drain before planting your tree. Water it well after planting.
Apricot trees do best in climates with mild, wet winters, followed by dry springs and warm, dry summers. They are sensitive to high levels of salt, boron, chloride, and other elements, so ensure your soil is set up for apricot tree growth. They require full sun and do not tolerate prolonged wet conditions, so good drainage is essential.
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Pruning is essential to maintaining tree health, shape, and fruit production
Pruning encourages the development of stronger branches and redirects the tree's energy toward fruit production. This results in larger, healthier fruits with better flavour and colour. Removing dead or weak branches helps the tree allocate energy and nutrients to healthy parts, ensuring vigorous growth and improving fruit quality. Pruning also allows for better tree inspection, making it easier to detect and address any potential issues early on.
The best time to prune a mature apricot tree is in summer, after fruiting. This ensures the tree's branches heal quickly and minimises the risk of disease. You can also prune a mature tree in winter while it's dormant, but this should be more for shape or structural damage. Pruning a young apricot tree should be done in late winter to early spring when new leaves emerge. The tree is actively growing but not yet fruiting, so the cuts will be smaller and heal quicker.
When pruning, make sure you prune flush against the branch or trunk at a forty-five-degree angle. Any uneven cuts or abrasions can gather moisture and rot or become infected. Remove any deadwood, brittle branches, and damaged leaves.
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Apricots are sensitive to frost damage and fungal infections
Apricot trees are highly susceptible to frost damage and fungal infections. Apricot trees bloom early compared to other stone fruits, so they are at risk of damage from late frosts. In areas with late frosts, it is important to protect the flowers from negative overnight temperatures. One way to do this is to plant the trees close to a north-facing wall, which helps to reduce how quickly the trees warm up in spring and delays blooming.
To protect against frost damage, some commercial growers use wind machines to break up temperature inversions on cold nights, bringing down warmer air. Micro-sprinklers can also be used for irrigation and frost protection, as the sprinklers can be turned on when temperatures drop to 40°F. Spraying the trees with a tank mix the evening before a frost event is forecast can also provide protection for 7-14 days, depending on temperatures.
Apricot trees are also susceptible to fungal infections, with the number one pest problem being fungi rather than insects. Pruning the trees to keep them open to air and sun is the best strategy to minimise or avoid fungal problems. Apricot trees can suffer from a fungus called shot hole, which causes brown circles to form on leaves, with the dead foliage within the circles falling out. To prevent this, spray the tree with a copper-based fungicide the following winter, twice with a fortnight in between, and it will not recur.
Brown rot is another common fungal infection, especially in Tasmania. It affects blossoms, leaves, and fruit, and usually occurs after wet and humid weather. Irrigation at ground level is a good way to limit or avoid brown rot. Home growers can also thin fruit and leaves to allow for better ventilation and immediately remove affected fruit.
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Watering requirements vary by season and tree age
Apricot trees require different amounts of water depending on the season and the age of the tree. Generally, apricot trees need around 2.5 cm of water weekly, especially during blooming and fruiting. However, apricots do not tolerate excess water, so care should be taken to avoid overwatering.
During the winter, when the tree is dormant, a small amount of water once a week is sufficient to prevent the soil from drying out completely. In spring, increase watering to twice a week, and in summer, water every couple of days. If you're experiencing a particularly dry summer, older trees may need additional watering to make up for the lack of rainfall.
When planting a young apricot tree, it's important to water it regularly while it establishes itself, especially during its first summer. This will help ensure the tree gets a healthy start and can develop a strong root system.
To determine if your apricot tree needs watering, use your hand to check the moisture level in the soil. Dig into the top 5 cm of soil, and if it feels dry, it's time to water your tree. Remember to provide good drainage to prevent waterlogging, as apricot trees do not tolerate prolonged wet conditions.
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Harvesting typically occurs from November to February
Apricot trees are a fantastic addition to any backyard, and harvesting is one of the most rewarding parts of the process. In Australia, harvesting typically occurs from November to February, with the peak supply in December and January.
When it comes to harvesting apricots, it is important to allow them to ripen fully on the tree. Apricots are at their best when they are slightly soft and easily separate from the twigs. If you have to tug hard to pluck the fruit, it is not yet ripe. Ripe apricots will have a richer red colouring and smoother skin. The fruit is best enjoyed soon after picking, but if you need to store them, it is recommended to keep them at room temperature to preserve their taste. However, this can only be done for a limited time.
The variety of apricot tree you have will determine the specific harvesting time. For example, the earliest variety, the Fireball™ Apricot, is ready in November/December, with its vibrant orange-red skin and sweet, juicy flesh. On the other hand, the Dwarf Tilton variety is a late fruiter that is well-suited for cooler climates that may experience late frosts.
Divinity apricot trees are another early-season variety, ripening from late November to early December. These apricots are known for their exceptionally sweet flavour and are perfect for fresh eating or making jams. If you're looking for a self-pollinating variety, consider the Bulida apricot, which ripens in mid-season around January. Castlebrite apricots, on the other hand, are typically harvested in December and are more tart earlier in the season, making them ideal for jams if you let them ripen on the tree.
Proper care and maintenance are crucial to keeping your apricot tree healthy and productive. Apricot trees thrive in southern areas of Australia, such as New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. They prefer a mild, wet winter followed by a dry spring and a warm, dry summer. To ensure a good harvest, plant your tree in full sun and maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Apricot trees grow well in most climates but thrive in hot, dry summers. They require full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Before planting, improve your soil at least 6 weeks prior, and dig a hole deep and wide enough for the roots.
Apricot trees do not tolerate prolonged wet conditions, so good drainage is essential. Water young trees regularly to establish them, and water older trees in very dry periods. In winter, water once a week, in spring, twice a week, and in summer, every couple of days.
Pruning is essential to maintaining the health of your apricot tree and encouraging fruit growth. Prune a mature tree in summer after fruiting to ensure quick healing and minimise disease risk. Prune a young tree in late winter to early spring to encourage good structure as it matures.
