How to grow apricot from seed

While apricot trees are usually planted as grafted trees, growing them from seed is a fun experiment and a great way to develop new cultivars. Seedling trees aren’t hard to grow, and sometimes sprout up all on their own!

How to grow apricot from seed

To prepare an apricot seed for planting, start by removing the pit from a ripe apricot and cleaning off any remaining fruit flesh. Let the pit dry for a few days, then crack it open carefully to extract the seed inside.

To increase the chances of germination, stratify the seed by placing it in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag and refrigerating it for 4-6 weeks. Check periodically to ensure the towel stays damp. Once the stratification period is complete, the seed is ready to be planted in a pot with well-draining soil, where it can begin to grow into a healthy seedling.

The ideal soil should be well-draining with a pH between 6 and 7.5, rich in organic matter such as compost or manure, and have plenty of sun exposure throughout the day. Apricots thrive in mild temperate climates with temperatures ranging from 65°F (18°C) during the day to 45°F (7°C) at night; however, they can tolerate cooler temperatures if given protection from frost or snowfall.

Give the young tree lots of attention. This includes regular watering (approximately once a week), pruning away dead branches when necessary, fertilizing every few months using a balanced fertilizer, and protecting against pests like aphids by spraying insecticidal soap if needed.

How to plant apricot seeds (pits)

If you’re looking to grow your own apricot tree, the first step is to find some apricot seeds (the pit). You can usually purchase them from a local orchard or get them from inside a non-treated store-bought fruit.

To start, fill a pot with well-draining soil and make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Place two or three apricot seeds on top of the soil and cover them lightly with more soil. Water gently until moist but not soggy.

Place your pot in an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day and keep it consistently moist by watering when necessary – about once every few days should do it. After about four weeks, you should see seedlings sprouting up out of the soil.

Once they reach about 4 inches tall, carefully transplant them into individual pots filled with fresh soil so they can continue growing without competing for resources like water and nutrients from other plants nearby. Make sure each plant has enough room to spread its roots without overcrowding other plants in their new home.

Now that your trees are transplanted, give them plenty of sunshine and water regularly – just be careful not to overwater as this could cause root rot or fungal diseases in young plants which will kill off any chance for growth before it even starts. If possible try using rainwater instead of tap water as this will help reduce any potential mineral buildup in the soils over time which could also stunt growth if left unchecked.

Your trees should begin producing fruit within 3-5 years after planting, depending on growing conditions, including how well cared for they were during those early stages. Keep an eye out for signs such as flowers blooming or small green fruits beginning to form – these are all good indicators that things are going according to plan.

Caring for an apricot tree

Watering your apricot tree is essential for it to thrive. It should be watered deeply and regularly, especially during the summer months when the weather is hot and dry. Water at least once a week in the spring and twice a week in the summer, making sure to soak the soil around the roots of your tree each time you water. During periods of drought or extreme heat, you may need to water more often.

Pruning your apricot tree helps keep it healthy by removing dead or diseased branches and encouraging new growth. Prune your tree after harvesting fruit in late summer or early fall, cutting away any dead wood first before shaping up any unruly branches with sharp pruning shears. Make sure not to cut too much off as this can damage the health of your tree.

Fertilizing an apricot tree will help promote strong growth and abundant fruit production throughout its lifetime. Use a balanced fertilizer every spring before buds appear on trees. You can reapply fertilizer if needed every six weeks (or whatever frequency is listed on the package) until harvest season begins. Then stop fertilizing altogether until next year’s growing season starts again.

Controlling pests is also important for keeping an apricot tree healthy; common pests include aphids, scale insects, caterpillars, mites, borers, and thrips, among others, which can all cause serious damage if left unchecked. To prevent infestations, try using insecticidal soap sprays weekly during warm weather months when pest activity is highest – spray both sides of leaves thoroughly, paying special attention to the undersides where many bugs like to hide out.