Do Apricots Grow Well In Pots?

If you follow the growing conditions, Apricots can thrive in containers. Choose the best variety of Apricots like Alfred and Flavourcott, Goldcut, Moorpark, New Large Early and Isabelle, Stark Golden Glo, Stella, and Tomcot. You should make sure that the pot type is suitable for Apricots. Keep trees and other plants away from their confined space to feel comfortable enough to bloom. Read more about growing Apricots in pots, care tips, pruning, and issues in growing and harvesting.

Growing Apricots in Pots

Choosing Container

Pots 20-24 inches are the best size for growing fruit trees in containers, but smaller plants or seedlings can be grown in smaller pots. Continue re-potting it into larger pots until the roots are well established. Ensure that the pH of the soil is between 6.0 to 6.5.

You can place them in a standard-size flower pot that allows you to control the soil temperature and moisture. Good drainage is key with containers, so try not to use plastic or pressurized pots as these will be unsuitable for Apricots. Also, avoid using terracotta bins, which retain heat exactly as their name suggests.

Propagating

Apricot trees can be propagated from seeds or cuttings, or you can buy a seedling from a garden center and grow it in a pot. Care must also be taken to leave the beginnings of a core, which indicates that you can cut shoot tips and use them on your next tree.

Once finished with growing Apricots in containers, they should be moved into a more permanent situation such as the garden or yard.

How to Germinate Apricot Seeds for Indoor Growing

If you have collected pits from purchased apricots, you will need to scrub them to remove any flesh that has remained on them.

After removing any remaining flesh from your apricot pits, set them aside to dry for a few hours. Remove the seed from the pit using a vice, nutcracker, or hammer to encourage successful seed germination.

When you have the seeds, you must store them in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months to satisfy them.

To prevent the seeds from drying out, place them in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. It is time to plant seeds in a pot once you see some roots sprout.

Indoor Apricot Growing from Pits

• Make your germination mix with 1 part moist sphagnum peat moss, 1 part sharp sand, and 1 part perlite or vermiculite. Followed by half to two thirds moist germination mix in a plastic self-locking bag

• Using an extremely sharp kitchen knife, cut each apricot half from stem to blossom end.

• Rinse and bury the Apricot seed in the germination mix. 3–4 weeks in a fridge bag.

• Remove stratified Apricot seed from germination mix bag. Wash the seed in clean water.

• Nutty-cracking, the hard apricot pit outer shell abrasion of the hard seed coat can damage the kernel inside.

• Fill a 6-inch-diameter container with moist germination mix to 1 inch from the top. One inch deep into the potting, mix the cracked seed and water well. Drain for an hour.

• Wrap the pot in clear plastic to keep out moisture and air. Avoid placing the pot near a window or other natural light source while the plastic is still on. Keep the germination mix moist but not soggy until the apricot seed germinates. Sow the seed in a sunny south-facing window with lots of natural light.

• After the roots fill the pot, the plant should be moved to a larger container. Use a commercial potting soil or mix fine-grained peat with equal parts sterilized soil, sand, vermiculite, or perlite to ensure your plants get the best start possible. Analyze the soil’s pH and adjust it accordingly by adding lime or sulfur to raise or lower it.

Apricot Tree Planting with Saplings

To produce Apricots, the majority of saplings purchased by gardeners will require two years of care. Dig a deep hole in the spot you’ve chosen, and then fill it with a mixture of decomposed organic material and top-quality garden soil.

The peat pot that came with your Apricot sapling should be left around the tree when you plant it. To help the sapling’s roots spread out, you can make slits in the container. However, you must be careful not to cut into the roots when making these slits. Remove the bag before planting if the tree came in a bag.

Indoor Apricot Care: Watering and Fertilizing

The apricot tree needs constant watering during its growth phase. Water once a week in colder climates. In hot climates, 2 – 3 times a week is enough. Summer watering is required. It needs lots of water to grow.

In the spring, when new growth spurts, feed container Apricot trees complete granular fertilizer with equal NPK ratio. Once the tree is mature enough to bear fruit, fertilize it with 10-15-10 to add phosphorus to the soil. It is beneficial to mulch the container with compost or aged manure occasionally. Instead of granular fertilizer, give your apricot plant an appropriate dose of balanced liquid fertilizer.

Pruning Apricot Tree

Pruning Apricot Trees in pots twice a year in spring and summer is recommended. Each time, snip off about a quarter of the new growth. Dispose of any diseased, leggy, or damaged branches immediately. Consistent pruning will keep the tree healthy, promoting new growth and fruit production.

You must prune an Apricot tree or other fruit tree severely if you grow it indoors. Sprouting apricot trees helps them heal faster after pruning as they start growing again. To keep healthy, prune dead or unhealthy branches. A shorter Apricot tree has fewer branches that grow up instead of out.

Issues in Growing Apricot Indoors

Eutypa Dieback can affect Apricots grown in pots. Cut the affected branch of the tree. Overwatering the Apricot plant can cause Phytophthora. Use a high-pressure water jet to get rid of common garden pests like aphids.

How to Harvest Apricots in Pots?

Always harvest the fruit early, when the seeds are just developing. Cut off one side of each seed and remove it gently (not smashing or uprooting them). Choose a sharp knife with a deep blade that can puncture at least three inches into your pit. Tease out all varieties of apricot trees you selected here, as they’ll be so special every time you see their beautiful and delicious fruits.