Apricots

[Rusty]

I adore apricots. The local extension agent told me they don't grow in Alabama, but of course I had to try anyhow. I ordered a dwarf Wilson from Stark. Last spring it leafed out beautifully and was such a gorgeous little tree...until August. We had back-to-back days of 100 degrees. I watered everything really well but came out the 3rd morning to find my little tree in a sorry state. Every leaf looked like it had been fried. They were crunchy in my hand. Within 24 hours every leaf fell and within the week the tree was dead--brown to the ground.

I assumed the weather here is just too hot for apricots. Chock one up for the extension agent. Right?

Today I read on another forum about someone in Arizona with apricot trees. Bearing apricot trees. It gets a WHOLE lot hotter in Arizona than it does in Alabama so how can this be?!?

So can anybody tell me about apricot trees? I would dearly love to have one--even if I had to grow it in a pot! Or am I doomed?

Rusty

 

[vfem]

I bought 2 early golden apricot trees this spring. They are out with the apple trees my husband insisted on. It started leafing out WAY after the apple trees started and they were 'tiny' leaves not completely exposed yet. Then I notice yesterday while watering the trees... the apricots leaves had shriveled up and DIED!? ARGH! We've had unreasonably hot days for April here... and now I'm wondering if it ever had a chance. I really wanted apricots badly, and Arborday.org had these listed for my zone (7b) so I figured they'd do well.

But arbor day guarentees their trees, so they won't be happy when I have to return and they have to replace.... 2 apricots, a red maple, a dogwood and washington hawthorn... they ALL did this shriveling leaves thing with the heat.

I've scratched the bark off though... and its still green, so I don't know if its something that will come back?!

I'm sure you can grow these if you try.... Don't give up... find another species maybe?!

 

[Rosalind]

I think they must be growing a special type with low chill hours--that way they can grow from early spring/late winter to harvest in June-ish, before it gets boiling hot. And they irrigate the heck out of it so it doesn't croak in the heat.

I know in other hot climates (south Mediterranean, Greece & north coast of Africa), their normal growing season is Sept - April, and then things just rest in the heat of summer.

Note: I grow apricots in Massachusetts, where my main problem is keeping all the blossoms from falling off in a late frost, so all this is strictly hearsay from well-traveled relatives.

 

[obsessed]

The type of heat is different from Alabama to Arizona. The hot humid heat is way stronger than the dry heat of Arizona. I have lived in the west and now live in the south, it is a major difference. I think that could be a good reason.

I got the sunset garden book. It is like a giant encyclopedia that say what will grow in the hot humid south and what won't. And it gives you zones.... Check it out.

 

[Rusty]

Is this the book you mentioned?

http://www.amazon.com/Sunset-National-Garden-Book-Books/dp/0376038608/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

If so, I may invest in a copy. I sure need something!

Thanks!

 

[obsessed]

No this is it

http://www.amazon.com/Southern-Livi...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241482610&sr=1-1


It is so awesome cause it really focus on what will survive the humidity and heat of the south.

 

[Rusty]

TY!



Rusty