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Flavorcot Apricot Options Explained
Generic: Comes in a 4.5L pot, will be around 100-150cm tall and good for patio or pot growing. 2-3 years old, previously pruned to promote a strong branch structure. Expect a final height of 3-4m tall. (various rootstocks)
St Julian A: Comes in a 7-12L pot and will be around 150-200 cm tall at delivery on a St Julian A rootstock, 2-4 years old. Comes previously pruned to promote a strong branch structure but will grow to around 3-4m.
Flavorcot Apricot
A self-fertile apricot, Flavorcot (Prunus armeniaca 'Flavorcot') is very similar to Tomcot in terms of apricot fruit size and quality so is generally a good choice for eating apricot fruits. Expect a heavy crop of large orange/red egg-sized apricots. The flesh is juicy and sweet and can be used for cooking too. Just remember the pink-tinged flowers in Spring are probably not edible so be patient until the fruits arrive. A good idea to protect the flowers from frost but Flavorcot does have an element of frost resistance. Planting in a large pot will enable you to move it to a warm spot if you expect frosts e.g. South of France or just follow the nearest cat, they will lead you somewhere warm.
Type of Apricot: Eating Picking Period: Late July
Fertility: This apricot is self-fertile, so no need for another apricot to act as a pollination partner for it to produce fruit.
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Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at POLLINATION EXPLAINED or choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.
Apricot Rootstocks Explained
Rootstocks are literally roots of another plant and are used to change characteristics of the Apricot tree such as disease resistance, fruiting ability etc. New rootstocks are used all the time as new ones are developed. Below is a brief explanation of Apricot rootstocks.
VVA1: Expected to grow to around 2.5m tall.
Torrinel24: Expected to grow to around 3.0m tall.
Montclere: Expected to grow to around 3.0m tall.
Ferlenain: Expected to grow to around 3.0m tall.
Wavit: Slightly less vigorous than St Julian, circa 3-3.5m apricot tree and crops a little earlier. Some chalk tolerance.
St Julian A: Expected to grow to around 3.5-4m tall and is quite vigorous with some chalk tolerance.
Myrobalan Seedling: A vigorous rootstock and ultimate height of 4m or more. Full cropping is longer than previous rootstock.
Peach Seedling: Better tolerance to water logging and firmer/sweeter flesh than Myrobalan. Grows to around 4m.
The trade off with a taller tree is more growing real estate but a smaller tree will fruit a little quicker. Ultimate height can be determined with manual pruning.
Apricot Tree Advice
Not a very demanding tree but a few things to remember.
- Make sure you plant the Apricot tree in a well drained spot where there is a lot of sun.
- Although these Apricot trees are self fertile, it still helps to hand pollinate with a small brush
- Prune the tree to allow sun in and air to circulate into the centre.
- As Apricots are early flowering fruit trees, they may be exposed to spring frosts. A fleece over the tree or planting close to a wall should help.
- If you have a large Apricot crop, prune in Mid May as part of the fruit thinning procedure. If a small crop, prune after harvest. Never prune in October through to end of April.
- If pot growing Apricots consistent watering is essential. A dry spell followed by watering can split the fruit.
Important Apricot Fruit Tree information
As with other stone fruit trees such as Plum, Damsons and Gages, Apricot fruit trees are a bit spoilt when it comes to being left in a container over Winter (Oct-March) They may decide out of spite to not do so well next year or as the ultimate act of defiance, just stop living. If you must have your Apricot fruit tree in a container, we advise leaving in a greenhouse or conservatory over the Winter months.
