Apricot

Profile

Family

Rosaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

8 m

Spread

7 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

20 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 5–9

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt

Soil moisture

dry – moist

pH

6 – 7.5

Synonyms

Armeniaca vulgaris, Marille

Planned in gardens

7×

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Die Früchte können roh, gekocht oder getrocknet verzehrt werden. Die besten Sorten sind weich und saftig mit einem köstlichen, vollen Aroma. Wilde Bäume im Himalaya tragen jährlich etwa 47,5 kg Früchte. Die Früchte der Wildform enthalten ca. 6,3 % Zucker, 0,7 % Eiweiß, 2,5 % Asche und 2,5 % Pektin. 100 g Fruchtfleisch enthalten ca. 10 mg Vitamin C. Die Früchte haben einen Durchmesser von ca. 5 cm und enthalten einen großen Kern. Die Kerne können roh oder gekocht verzehrt werden. Bittere Kerne sollten nur in kleinen Mengen gegessen werden, jedoch sind sie unbedenklich. Die bitteren Kerne können als Ersatz für Bittermandeln bei der Marzipanherstellung etc. verwendet werden. Aus dem Stamm wird ein essbares Gummi gewonnen. Die Kerne enthalten bis zu 50 % eines essbaren, halbtrocknenden Öls.

Other uses: An edible semi-drying oil is extracted from the seed. It is utilized for lighting. The oil has a skin-softening property, making it valuable in perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. A green dye is derived from the leaves. A dark gray to green dye can be obtained from the fruit. The wood is attractive, sturdy, and long-lasting, suitable for agricultural uses and more.

Growing

Requires a well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil in a warm, sunny location. It can tolerate light shade but produces better fruit in a sunny spot. Thrives in loamy soil, particularly on limestone, and prefers some chalk but may suffer from chlorosis if there is an excess. The ideal pH range is 6.5 to 7.5. It does not do well in clay soils and cannot tolerate saline conditions. During summer droughts, the trees shed their fruit buds. Apricots are extensively grown for their edible fruit in regions with long, hot summers, with numerous named varieties available. While the tree is hardy, early flowering makes it susceptible to frost damage. It thrives in a more continental climate with distinct seasons. In the UK, successful cultivation is possible with a south or west-facing wall and frost protection during flowering. The plants are self-fertile but may benefit from hand pollination due to early flowering. In the UK, apricots are commonly grafted onto plum rootstocks, with 'St. Julien A' being the preferred choice. The dwarfing rootstock 'Pixie' can also be used but requires double working with 'St. Julien A' due to incompatibility with apricots. Pruning should be done in summer to promote quick healing and reduce infection risks. Avoid planting oats near apricots as their roots can negatively affect apricot roots. Tomatoes and potatoes are also unsuitable companions. Growing nasturtiums under apricots can deter insects, although this may not be noticeable to humans. Most species in this genus have shallow roots and may produce suckers if the roots are damaged. Plants in this genus are prone to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed - requires 2 - 3 months of cold treatment and is best planted in a cool environment immediately after becoming mature. Sow preserved seed early in the year in a cool environment. Protect the seed from rodents. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking up to 18 months. Transplant the seedlings into separate pots when they are big enough. Grow them in a greenhouse or cool environment for their initial winter and transplant them in late spring or early summer of the next year. Cuttings of semi-mature wood with a heel, in July or August in a frame. Challenging. Softwood cuttings from vigorously growing plants in spring to early summer in a frame. Challenging. Layering in spring.

Origin & habitat

East Asia - Northern China, Mongolia.

Die meisten scheinbar wild wachsenden Bäume sind aus der Kultivierung entwichen, aber es gibt reine Bestände dieser Bäume in Tibet an Berghängen in lichten Wäldern in Höhenlagen von 700 bis 3000 Metern.

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