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 controversial. It has been cultivated in Armenia since ancient times. Today, 95% of the apricots traded in Europe come from Malatya in Turkey. For several years now, there have also been larger cultivation 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 double perianths appear before the leaves and are usually arranged singly or, less frequently, in pairs. The flower stalk is a maximum of 5 cm short, often reddish, and lightly hairy. The flowers open between March and April and range in color from white, light pink to deep pink, and have a diameter of about 2,5 cm.

Depending on the variety, harvest time is between late 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 types of fruit, the apricot tree has shallow roots. They should therefore be secured with a stake and planted in a location protected from the wind.

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, dead wood should be removed and vertical branches, known as water shoots, should be removed. Branches nibbled by animals are potential sources of infection and should also be removed. It is advisable to treat large cuts with tree resin.
In winter, dead branches of the apricot tree as well as branches growing inward should be removed.

Fertilizing apricot trees

To ensure juicy and tasty fruit, the trees are fertilized in late winter and spring. Applying a layer of leaves, grass clippings, or bark mulch after fertilizing is recommended, but keep this away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Watering the apricot tree

The apricot tree does not tolerate moisture, waterlogging and cold soils. 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 the young trees must be closely monitored and watered earlier than existing trees.
During the first year, regular watering is recommended to encourage rooting. From the second year onward, additional water is generally not needed, but during dry periods, it is recommended to water at least once a week.
Signs of drought stress include limp, drooping leaves, weak young branches, discolored or drying leaves, and early fruit drop. Now is the time to water the tree.

Due to climate change, it is getting hotter in our regions and longer dry periods are the result. This has an impact on the environment and especially on trees. The increasing dryness and rising temperatures lead to so-called 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 length of the dry period and the tree's condition. Generally, young trees require 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.
By filling a watering bag, young trees are provided with sufficient water. Existing trees that are fully hanging need a lot of water to supply the fruit. In this case, it is advisable to connect two or more watering bags with a zip to ensure they are sufficiently watered.
Trees in pots generally have a greater need for water.