[Arid_gardener] Re: Apricot Tree

[Olin Miller]

Pollination - Most home grown varieties are self fruitful but will benefit 
from a nearby pollenizer tree.  They are also insect pollinated, primarily 
by honeybees which are no longer plentiful but we still see them in the 
early morning on fairy duster shrubs.

Fertilizer -  Apply a high nitrogen fertilize in the spring 4-46 weeks 
before bud break.  Over time you may need to supplement with zinc.

Irrigation - Deep water twice monthly in the summer, monthly in fall and 
early spring..

How has the tree been pruned?  The fruit of an apricot is borne on short 
fruiting spurs as well as toward the tip of last year's shoot growth.

.What is the chill requirement of your tree?  You need a low chill tree. 
Most apricot chill requirements are too high for consistent fruit production 
in the valley but there are a few low chill varieties

How old is the tree?  Useful bearing life of stone fruit trees pruned for 
fruit production is 10-12 years.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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----- Original Message ----- From: <writing_through_history at yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 11:16 AM
> Maria E. Scott 85225
> We have an apricot tree. The first year after it was planted we did get a 
> good crop of apricots. Since then the yield has been almost non existent. 
> It will get the flowers but then they drop off. This year, as of right now 
> it looks like the tree is dying. The leaves turn brown and just hang limp 
> from the branches. Is there anything I can do or is it dying like I think 
> it is?