From: "William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>
To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [NAFEX] Pruning Apricots
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:09:11 -0500
My Goldcot Apricot had started blooming in early April when the
temperature here dropped to 23° F, killing all of the blossoms and
unopened flower buds. No big surprise, since that's happened every year
since I planted it in 2006 (I did get a half-dozen apricots last year).
Right now, the main branches are lined with spurs that appear dead (no
leaves, at least). The smaller branches, too, are bare of leaves for
half to two-thirds of their length. All of the leaves are at the ends,
mostly on the new growth of the year. Is this normal, or did the freeze
kill most of the leaf buds, too? And will there be new flower and leaf
buds there next spring? In other words, will these branches and spurs
recover, or should I be doing something, um,... more aggressive in
restoring the tree?
I'm just wondering how I need to prune the tree to keep it producing
flower buds. I didn't need to do much dormant pruning this year, since
I've got the branches held quite horizontal to slow its growth a bit. Of
course, that was before the buds froze. But I am doing some summer
pruning and training now, mostly removing some very vigorous vertical
shoots (which I expected). The tree looks healthy, but the inside is
pretty bare. Assuming that the weather cooperates next year, will these
bare areas produce buds again?
Thanks,
Bill
Lincoln, NE (zone 5)
--
I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would
take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet
place and kill him. - Mark Twain