Apricot

[stanhol]

My Apricot is going great guns.

It looks like another tree is growing from the base however~! Could this be the root stock? I have looked on line and come up with the possibility its a st julien A graft. The tree itself is a goldrich.

So my question is how to deal with the intruder! I cant find any pictures of leaves from the possible stock either to confirm that it is actually that!

Many thanks in advance,

Sandra

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Sandra, it sounds very much like a sucker growing up from the root stock. Any suckers need to be removed as they will not grow fruit and spoil your apricot tree.

[tigerella]

My apricot tree has loads of new shoots growing form the base. I always cut them back and my rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy the twigs as a nibble treat.

I have had my tree for six years and it only cropped in the first year. I have finally got around to learning what its needs are and after a dedicated time of correct feeding/pruning, early spring of self pollinating and fleece protection, I have FINALLY got fruit!
Okay, I have only a single apricot growing because I knocked most of the blossom off with the damn fleece. This winter, I'm creating a fruit cage around the tree to fleece safely.

[Thomas W]

Originally Posted by tigerella

... I have FINALLY got fruit! ...

Where do you live?
I find it hard to grow peaches here in Denmark, but this year I think I got away with it. I've read that apricot and peach should be treated the same way?...

[tigerella]

I'm in the east midlands of England. Depends on how bitter the late winter frosts are. I self-pollinated with a cotton bud like crazy and fleeced the tree each night. But this winter I shall make the fruit cage so fleece doesn't touch the tree and pull the blossom off again.

[malcolmx]

if you use fleece you need to pollinate by hand as this is impervious to insects also spray in winter and weed all round prune in summer take of any shoots from below the graft trim back any leaders do not cover with fleece until new growth starts as hard frosts will clean out insects in bark

[tigerella]

Good tips. I only fleece when I have to and always self pollinate with a cotton bud. Thanks.