A Beginner's Guide to Different Types of Apricots: Which Are Best To Eat

Apricots are commonly known as American plums, but they were initially cultivated in China. They are small juicy fruits that look more like peaches. However, apricots have a tartness of purple plums when it comes to taste. These fruits contain fiber, vitamin A, C, E, protein, and essential minerals such as potassium. If you want to plant this amazing fruit, here is a simple guide.

Choose a Reliable Tree Supplier

Where you buy the trees determines whether you get quality or substandard apricot trees. To ensure you get quality apricots to plant, ensure you choose a trustworthy supplier. Read previous customers' reviews to determine whether they have quality trees. Also, reading these reviews will help you know whether a company is trustworthy or not.

It is also important to ensure that the supplier you are considering has the apricot variety that you want. Ensure that you know the apricot varieties and the amount of cash they cost. The supplier has affordable quality apricots, and they deliver at your doorsteps.

Choose the Right Variety

There are different varieties of apricot that grow at the height of 12 to 15 feet. Most of these varieties are self-fruiting, meaning that you do not have to buy two trees to get fruit. However, growing two or more apricots means you will get a higher yield. The following are the different types of apricots.

Autumn Royal Apricot Tree

The apricot fruits from this tree are oval, medium-sized, with firm flesh. This makes it ideal for eating, canning, and drying. Autumn royal tree does well in the south since it needs fewer chill hours, and it is harvested later in the year compared to other varieties. The fruit is ready to harvest in September, and it does well in USDA zones 6-9.

Garden Annie Dwarf Apricot Tree

As its name suggests, this is a small-sized tree that only grows up to 8-10 feet tall, and you can grow it in a container. This apricot tree is self-fertile. It produces excellent medium-sized, excellent semi-freestone fruit that is firm.

This tree has spectacular blossoms, making it an ornate and edible option for your garden. The apricots are ready for harvest in June. They do well in zones 6-9.

Chinese

It is also known as the Mormon or the Bush Apricot. These trees produce a yellow-orange fruit that is medium in size and tastes sweet but with a mild flavor. It is a self-fertile, high productive tree that bears early. The tree can also be used to pollinate other varieties.

Chinese is a semi-dwarf tree that produces freestone fruit, meaning that the flesh does not stick to the pit. It is ready in mid-July. The fruit does well in cold climates since it blossoms later in the year. This makes it avoid crop-ruining from late frosts. You can dry the pit, crack it open just like a nut, and eat it. It grows well in zones 4-8.

Goldcot

This variety was created for Michigan's cold winters. Goldcot variety has a high chill requirement and needs 800 hours of cold weather. It is a late bloomer to avoid spring frosts that kill the blossoms.

It is hardy, has high yields, and is a self-pollinator. Fruits from this tree have a tangy-sweet flavor that makes them best for canning and making jam. It is ready in mid-summer and grows in zones 4-8.

Plumcot Hybrid Apricot

You may have come across this variety, also known as pluots. This variety is a hybrid cross between a plum and apricot. The fruit has yellow-red skin and red flesh. They are very sweet and juicy, making them great for fresh eating. Pluots do well in the south, zones 5-9.

Moorpark

This tree is beautiful, and with high productivity, so many people love it. Its blossoms are pretty pink and white. Moorpark fruits are large and freestone. It is sweet and juicy.

Moorpark is self-fertile and hardy, which is a great pollinator for other varieties. It is ready in mid-July and does well in zone 5-8.

Soil Requirements

Apricot trees require rich fertile soils. The soil should be well-drained with a PH of 6.0-7.0. If your soil is heavy, ensure you add compost, sand, and peat moss to loosen the earth. Choose the right location when planting. Most varieties bloom early in the spring, making them vulnerable to late frosts. To avoid this, try planting your tree on higher grounds since frost settles in low areas.

Choosing the right supplier for apricot is very important if you want high-quality fruits. Once you plant the trees, ensure you take care of them by watering, fertilizing, mulching, thinning, and pruning.