[NAFEX] Scout Apricot

Douglas Woodard dwoodard at becon.org
Mon Apr 20 01:02:00 EDT 2009


Scout is a Manchurian apricot, which are notorious for dormancy 
problems, especially in the east, also for not being self-fertile.
I've been told that Sansin, Manitoba-hardy, could not be kept alive at 
Vineland Station, Ontario, (zone 7a, a few miles from me in the Niagara 
Peninsula) which has bred and named and released many good apricots of 
European descent.

On the right soil (sandy, well-drained) you might try Morden 604 and 
Westcot, or possibly Ken Taylor's Precious and siblings in zone 4b (they 
were found at Creemore, Ontario, about 5a/4b). From reports of people 
who have grown them, expect reasonable crops two years out of five.

Some people on the Canadian prairies report relative success (irregular 
crops) with Manchurian apricots. I have eaten jam reportedly made of 
them by an Edmonton homeowner - pleasant but a bit bland.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario



Caren Kirk wrote:
> Ernest, Jim,
> 
> I'm in Ag Can Z4b (-30degC), and, although you can find Scout and other 
> varieties in some nurseries here I was advised to stay away from apricots. I 
> was told the trees would grow and even blossom but they probably wouldn't 
> set fruit (just as you described Jim).
> 
> I love apricots and I like to experiment but in the end I made a tough 
> decision and decided to pass.  I tried a Reliance peach instead, we'll see 
> if I get any fruit off that.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Caren
> Quebec.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Fruth" <jimfruth at charter.net>
> To: "NAFEX" <nafex at lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:13 AM
> Subject: [NAFEX] Scout Apricot
> 
> 
>> Ernest Plutko asked, "I'm interested to see if I get any apricots.  Anyone
>> growing Scout?"
>>
>>    I bought Scout apricots several years ago.  The nursery claimed they
>> were self-fruitful.  They did bloom but never set fruit so I bought other
>> varieties for cross pollination.  The Scout(s) still failed to set fruit 
>> so
>> I grubbed them out.
>>
>> Jim Fruth
>> Brambleberry Farm
>> Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
>> For jams, jellies, syrups and more:
>> www.jellygal.com
>> 1-877-265-6856 (Toll Free)
>> 1-218-831-7018 (My Cell)



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