My lovely 30 year old apricot always puts out sweet delicious fruits but usually only about every 3 to 5 years. I have apricots because weather in CA where we live is not usually cold. But my question is. . . . for the first time ever. . . . apricots in all our area, neighbors, etc. had apricots that were not sweet and luscious as usual. I would appreciate your comments.
Fruit on any plant tends to be more sour or bitter if the plant is not getting enough nutrients or enough water. Since it is a neighborhood wide issue, I would look to the weather. Was it particularly dry this year? If so, the trees may have not gotten enough water. Was it very wet this year? The roots may have been struggling due to a lack of oxygen and did not take up the nutrients it needed, or some nutrients were washed away.
Regardless, the fruit should return to their sweet selves by next year. If you want to hedge your bets on that, fertilize the tree with a balanced fertilizer that contains micro-nutrients as well as the typical NPK balance.
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Our apricot tree bears lots of fruit but there seems to be a problem with the ripening of the fruit. If I wait until the fruit is a nice golden color, what happens is that half the fruit will be too soft. If I pick the fruit with it half ripe and half green, then some of it will be green instead of a golden color for the table. We live in the Melbourne suburb of East Oakleigh.
It sounds like your trees are getting brown rot. This article will help you with that:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/brown-rot-fungus.htm
I have three apricot trees that started from seeds. I would like to know if they will produce fruit and if they will put on fruit, how long will it take?
Yes, eventually they will produce fruit. They take anywhere from 3-6 years to come to fruiting maturity.
Can I use cow manure on a greenhouse grown apricot, which is in flower now?
As long as the manure is well rotted, you can use it on the trees.
The soil is like a heavy clay. What can I do to ensure that the roots will be able to penetrate the clay and get nourished when it starts to outgrow the rather large hole I created for the trees with homegrown compost, mulch and the original "dirt"?
You will need to start amending the soil outside the original rootball hole. If you start now, then my the time the roots are fully into growing in that area, the soil will have improved. These articles will help you with starting that process:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/compost-for-organic-gardens.htm
Placing mulch on the soil will also help. As the mulch breaks down, the organic material works its way into the soil and breaks up the clay.
I have a 4 year old Apricot tree. It only gave me plenty of fruit two years ago. After that, nothing--only one or two apricots. Any idea why? Thanks.
There are several reasons why this can occur. This article should be of some help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/apricots/apricot-tree-not-fruiting.htm
What is the best time for pruning an apricot tree?
Apricots normally do best with a light pruning after they have bloomed.