Apricot – watering the apricot tree

Content:

• Apricot tree origin
• Apricot tree care and location
• Pruning an apricot tree
• Fertilizing apricot trees
• Watering the apricot tree

Apricot tree origin

The apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) is a small deciduous tree with a round crown. It usually reaches a height of 6 m and belongs to the rose family.
The origin of the apricot is disputed. It has been cultivated in Armenia since antiquity. Today, 95% of the apricots traded in Europe come from Malatya in Turkey. For several decades, there have also been larger growing areas in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
In China, the apricot is a symbol of female beauty and represents the desire for children.

The apricot tree has green leaves that are 5 to 10 cm long and 3 to 7 cm wide.
The leaves can be ovate, heart-shaped, rounded, elliptical, pointed and rounded to blunt at the base.
The hermaphroditic flowers with a double perianth appear before the leaves and are usually solitary, less often in pairs. The flower stalk is a maximum of 5 cm long, often reddish, and sparsely hairy. The flowers open between March and April in colors ranging from white and light pink to vibrant pink and have a diameter of about 2,5 cm.

Depending on the variety, the harvest season is between the end of June and September. The stone fruit is light yellow to orange-red in color, has a diameter of 4 to 8 cm, and is velvety-hairy.

Apricot jam is an indispensable ingredient in the Sachertorte and is also used as a filling for doughnuts.

Apricot tree care and location

Apricot trees like sunny locations that are protected from rain. The soil should be nutrient-rich, not too dense and well-drained.
Like most fruit trees, the apricot tree has a shallow root system. Apricot trees should therefore be supported with a stake and planted in a sheltered location.

Pruning an apricot tree

The best time for pruning is immediately after the harvest in summer.
In the first two years, the competing shoots to the leading shoot are removed.
Every year, deadwood should be removed, and vertically growing branches, known as water sprouts, should be cut back. Branches damaged by animals are potential sources of infection and should also be removed. It is advisable to treat large pruning wounds with tree resin.
In winter, dead branches of the apricot tree as well as branches growing inward should be removed.

Fertilizing apricot trees

To harvest juicy and flavorful fruit, the trees are fertilized in late winter and early spring. Applying a layer of mulch made from leaves, grass clippings, or bark mulch after fertilizing is recommended, but this should be kept away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Watering the apricot tree

The apricot tree is sensitive to waterlogging and permanently damp soil. It should only be watered when the surface of the soil is dry.
However, during periods of prolonged drought in spring and summer, adequate watering is necessary, especially if the trees are located next to a house wall. The soil there is often interspersed with rubble, which acts as a drainage system.
The roots of young trees are not yet as branched in the soil, which is why young trees should be closely monitored and watered earlier and more frequently than older trees.
Regular watering is advisable during the first year after planting to support root development. From the second year onwards, apricot trees usually require less additional water, but should be watered during dry periods.

Signs of drought stress include drooping leaves, weak young branches, discolored or withering leaves, and premature fruit drop. It's definitely time to water the tree now.

Climate change is causing increasingly hot weather in our regions, resulting in longer periods of drought. This has an impact on the environment and especially on trees. The increasing drought and rising temperatures lead to... Drought stress. Depending on the location and the climate-related situation, more frequent watering than in previous years may be necessary.

The water requirements of an apricot tree depend on several factors, such as the duration of the dry period and the age of the tree. As a general rule, young trees need 75 to 100 liters per watering, while older trees require 150 to 200 liters.

While with conventional watering, a lot of water seeps away or evaporates before it can be absorbed by the roots, watering apricot trees with tree bath watering bags very efficient. Two small holes release the water evenly and over several hours as drip irrigation to the ground.
This ensures even moisture levels and better water absorption by the surrounding soil and roots.
Attaching and filling the water bags is easy and straightforward. They are placed around the tree trunk like a jacket, zipped up and filled with water.
Filling one watering bag provides young trees with sufficient water, while heavily laden mature trees require a lot of water to nourish the fruit. In this case, it is advisable to connect two or more watering bags using a zipper to ensure adequate hydration.
Trees in pots generally have a greater need for water.