Let’s take a look at some apricot pruning tips. ‘Tomcot’:Reliable in cool climates, it crops early in mid-summer, producing large, orange fruits with a crimson blush. See our advice on tree and shrub planting for information on planting fruit trees. Apricots (including compact cultivars) are usually grafted onto rootstocks to limit their size, but truly dwarfing rootstocks are not available. Glasshouse red spider or two spotted mite: Leaves become mottled, pale and covered in webbing, on which the mites can be clearly seen; leaves also drop prematurely. Remedy: Prune from the end of June until the end of August or in early spring. Mulch with organic matter, such as manure based soil conditioner in late winter to reduce moisture stress. They can be grown as fans, bushes or pyramid trees - there are even dwarf varieties for a pot on the patio. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Pests such aphids, winter moth and bird damage may be troublesome. Apricots are grafted, usually onto the rootstock ‘St Julien A’ or ‘Torinel’ – both are semi vigorous; fan-trained apricots reach up to 4m x 2m (13ft x 6.5ft). To form an apricot fan, cut back the central leader of a feathered tree to two side branches low down on the main stem; these will form the ribs of the fan. Remedy: Where possible, carry out all pruning in July or August when tissues are most resistant. Mulch around the rooting area with a 5cm (2in) layer of well-rotted manure, in March and early April. It is ideal for a pot on the patio in John Innes Compost No3. Torinel: semi-dwarfing, improved tolerance to unfavourable soil sol conditions, 3-3.5m (10-11ft)Krymsk 86: semi-vigorous, more tolerant of heavier, wet soils, 3.5-4m (11-13ft)St Julian A: semi-vigorous, widely used, tolerant of wide range of soil conditions, 4.5-5m (15-16ft). Later in early summer, as the fruits begin to swell, thin pairs and clusters so that those left to ripen are spaced at 5-8cm (2-3in). Apricots can only be stored for a few days so are best consumed immediately – straight from the tree. Cover apricot trees with horticultural fleece, or clear polythene supported by bamboo canes, to protect the blossom from frost. Bacterial canker: This serious disease of stone fruit causes sunken, dead areas of bark often accompanied by a gummy ooze. However, they flower very early in the season when few pollinating insects are around so hand pollination with a soft paintbrush or similar is usually needed. Apricots are hardy deciduous trees producing delicious fruit, but they need shelter and warmth to protect their early flowers and ensure fruit ripening. Feed with granular fertiliser such as Growmore at 70g per sq m (2.5 oz per sq yard) in late February. Heavy crops should be thinned to about 8-10.5cm (3-4in) apart when the fruits are the size of hazelnuts. Alternatively, they can be dried or made into preserves. One of the best flavoured. SoU: mid-August. Apricots flourish on deep, moisture retentive, well-drained, ideally slightly alkaline soils and struggle in poor, shallow soils. Pruning mature bush apricots is the same as for pruning sweet cherries. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Fruit smaller, but well-flavoured. Aim to prevent drought stress, especially in early to midsummer when the fruit is swelling. Thinning of branches on an old, neglected apricot tree should be staged over several years in summer. This is particularly important when the fruit starts to swell. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. times, RHS Registered Charity no. Use biological control in the greenhouse. When to prune . Although fully hardy, apricots flower early and are vunerable to frost, so therefore are best grown on a warm, sheltered, south-facing wall, or freestanding in milder climates, choosing an appropriate cultivar. ‘Aprigold:A dwarf tree reaching 1.2-1.5m (4-5’) after ten years. Aim to prune to a strong existing shoot that is at least one third of the diameter of the branch that you are removing rather than leaving bare branch stumps that can be prone to dieback. This is also the best time to prune in order to minimise the risk of silver leaf disease. SoU: early August‘Moorpark’: Pale yellow fruit with orange blush, best against a warm wall. Plant It crops heavily, with delicious, orange-gold fruits. Apricots bear fruit on shoots made the previous summer and on short spurs from the older wood. Burn or landfill the prunings. Trees may respond to larger pruning cuts by sending up a mass of new shoots. Plant during the dormant season from November to March. Training fan apricots is the same as for a fan-trained peach. Remedy: They thrive in hot, dry conditions, so mist plants regularly. Apricots (and other stone fruit) should not be pruned during winter, to minimise the risk of infection by silver leaf and bacterial canker. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, Our Garden Centres and online shops are packed with unique and thoughtful gifts and decorations to make your Christmas sparkle, General enquiries Apricots (and other stone fruit) should not be pruned during winter, to minimise the risk of infection by silver leaf and bacterial canker.Pruning of young trees is carried out after bud burst in early spring; established trees are pruned in summer. Pruning and training. In early spring  feed with a general fertiliser such as Growmore or Vitax Q4 at 100g per sq m (3oz  per sq yd). There are some naturally compact cultivars that are well-suited for container cultivation. 19 June 2019. Those below are well suited for container cultivation. It is more practical doing this with apricots that have been fan trained. Apricots can be grown as an open-centred bush tree with a clear stem of 75cm (2½ft) or pyramid if planted in a warm, very sheltered, sunny spot.