Apricot tree - side branch become leader?

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Apricot tree - side branch become leader?

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NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 23 10:28 am Post subject: Apricot tree - side branch become leader?
Young apricot tree planted this spring. It did have a clear central stem, but now one of the upper side branches has put on about 2 feet of growth and is now clearly the tallest and the stem is actually the thickest. Should I just leave it as the winner? It looks a little odd but is now vertical and healthy.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46235
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 23 10:52 am Post subject:
are apricots mono or are they grafted? the first let it grow, the second let it grow and see if it is a clone or rootstock as it develops

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 23 1:54 pm Post subject:
It'll be grafted, is it coming from below the union?

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 23 3:35 pm Post subject:
No, well above the graft, it's the second one from the top.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 23 5:18 pm Post subject:

Then let it be the leader. BUT beware that apricots just LOVE to grow, they respond vigorously to pruning, it'll very soon be a dense bushy mess, the best we managed was to keep them as open as we could.

They blossom early and have really suffered here in the last few years, it's always crap weather at blossom time now so very poor pollination.

Apart from that they're very susceptible to brown rot, and bacterial canker, oh and squirrels will strip your tree of unripe fruit for the kernels.

In commercial orchards in spain they replant at 6 years, probably to deal with the disease and pruning issues.

Apart from that triffic trees

On the plus side if you get a meaningful crop it'll be the best apricots you've ever tasted

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 23 5:19 pm Post subject:
We ended up having multiple leaders, just kind of went for a goblet shape in the end

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15985

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 23 8:33 am Post subject:

We have a quince that is inclined to suffer from bad weather at blossom time, but been mild enough the last two years for a good to reasonable crop. Before that it tended to be rather bi-yearly. Very much depends up on the spring weather.

Is there any way of protecting it from weather? They were often grown against a wall with a small roof over them and a screen that could be let down in case of frost.

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6612
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 23 10:09 am Post subject:
I had been taught to prune some fruit into open vase with about four leaders, ideally starting about 18" from the soil

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 23 11:21 am Post subject:
I had a note in my diary to try and cover it for peach leaf curl about a month ago, but it's still growing and no signs of dropping leaves! The runner bean looks healthier than ever, am half expecting to see a flower on it, it's all gone a bit bananas.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 23 12:15 pm Post subject:
You won't have any issues with peach leaf curl

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15985

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 23 7:39 am Post subject:
Why is that Tahir?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 23 7:56 am Post subject:
Cos they’re not susceptible, some almonds are but never seen an apricot with leaf curl

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 23 9:09 am Post subject:
Ooooh didn't realise that, nice! The little peach tree is in a better position to set up a shelter, but it hasn't dropped a leaf yet either Nor has the apple, or the plum. The cherry is starting to think about yellowing.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15985

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 23 7:44 am Post subject:
Thanks Tahir. I thought they would be. Do they get silver leaf? Have never tried to grow one and don't think they would do well here as rather exposed.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 23 9:29 am Post subject:
I think one did have a mild case of silverleaf once, but not an issue. Canker is the main issue. As long as there's enough decent weather at pollination time then they'll do OK

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