Top 19 Steps to Boost Apricot Yield: How to Increase Fruit Size, Quality, and Production

Apricot belongs to the ‘Rosaceae’ family and the genus ‘Prunus.’ Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a stone fruit. The stone fruit has a single seed with a hard, thick seed coat (or ‘shell’); The seed (or ‘kernel’) and the seed coat together are called ‘pit’ or ‘stone.’ Apricot farming is already a lucrative business, and many people are already doing so in many countries. So let’s check out the top 19 steps to boost Apricot yield.

Steps to Boost Apricot Yield
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Top 19 steps to boost Apricot yield

Step 1: Site selection and preparation for healthy fruit 

Production depends on the tree’s size, strength, and crop potential. Factors limiting the size of trees areas include;

  • Climate, especially lack of abundant water through rain or irrigation, and frost, where winter temperatures range from -5 to -15°C. If it gets cold before or during the spring bloom, the crop may be destroyed. 
  • Soil – Deep, fertile soil improves growth. Poor soil prevents growth. 
  • Fertility – To be productive, trees perform best with applied fertilizer. 

Step 2: Soil preparation for Apricot fruit growth

Before planting Apricots, you need to prepare the soil thoroughly. Well-drained, fertile soil is generally good for good plant growth. Well-drained, fertile soil is usually good for good plant growth. Dig 3 x 3 x 3 feet pits one month before planting. Add soil mixture and about 50-60 kg of well-digested dung to each pit.

Step 3: Plant spacing for getting more fruits 

  • A standard full-size Apricot can grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall. Standard space types at a distance of 20 to 25 feet. 
  • Dwarf Apricots can grow up to 12 to 15 feet tall. Space dwarf trees about 12 to 15 feet apart. 

Step 4: Planting tips for better fruit production

  • Apricot trees need fertile soil for good growth, so check your soil pH before planting. 
  • For optimal fruit and flower production, make sure the Apricot tree is planted in an area with full sun.
  •  Follow the recommended fertilization program for your fruit trees if they look healthy and grow well. Avoid soils that have very heavy or poorly drained.
  • If you find an ideal location for your Apricot tree that allows for fruit production, then this is the time of harvest when the fruit looks pretty shy but still firm to the touch. 
  • Prepare the planting area in full sun that is normal or protected from the wind. 

Step 5: Conditions required for more plant growth

  • The Apricot tree does not tolerate drought. Giving extra water will ensure the excellent production of flowers and fruits in hot areas. Drip, sprinkler, or other watering techniques can walk the tree soil at least weekly. 
  • Fertilize Apricot trees in the early spring season before new growth begins with the tree’s drip line. The use of low nitrogen fertilizer is best for these trees. 
  • After planting, water each tree well and add more phosphorus liquid starter fertilizer. 

Step 6: Reasons why Apricot trees are not producing

Because Apricot trees grow so quickly and Apricot fruits are so easily harvested, this indicates a problem if you don’t have Apricots on the tree.

In case you missed it: Apricot Farming Information Guide

Apricot
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Pollination – Firstly, if you have an Apricot tree that bears no fruit, you should consider whether you have one or more trees. If you have an Apricot tree that does not bear fruit, it may be due to poor pollination. Make sure the trees are planted in an area suitable for pollination. If you use pesticides, you may unknowingly kill beneficial bugs that pollinate Apricot trees. In addition, strong winds or rainy weather can prevent Apricot pollinators from reaching the tree.

Growing Conditions – Another reason Apricot trees do not grow can be the poor environment. If the Apricot tree gets too little or too much water when flowering or ripening the fruit, you will not see Apricots on the tree. Likewise, a lack of nutrients, such as phosphorus, can cause Apricot trees not to bear fruit. Again, monitoring water and fertilizer can help fix this.

Step 7: Irrigation for Apricot fruit development

You need adequate water for Apricot cultivation, especially during the fruiting stage of April to May. The irrigation depends on the soil type, the age of the tree, and climatic conditions. Irrigate at intervals of 8 to 10 days in dry and hot periods. Make a good drainage system to prevent water from accumulating in heavy rains. 

Step 8: Pollination of the Apricot tree will increase the yield

  • Most Apricots are self-fertile and will bear fruit if planted alone. ‘Riland’ and ‘Perfection’ are the Apricot varieties that are not fruitful; They need another Apricot within 300 feet. 
  • Planting two varieties close to each other will increase the yield of each tree. 

Step 9: Fruit drop cases and control

Apricot trees drop fruit as a survival measure to retain energy and water for the rest of the trees. Most fruit trees produce an abundance of flowers and fruits and naturally shed them around June. This phenomenon is often called the “June drop.” Apricot trees flower and bear fruit when it feels like it has produced too much to sustain. The tree weighs more than the fruit or does not seem to have enough sugar (energy) or water to survive.

However, if there are spots on the Apricot fruit, the disease can cause it. It can be hard to believe that Apricot trees are intelligent, but their response to fruit drop to survive is clever. They know that their branches can be much heavier than the fruit (up to the point of breaking) or do not have enough resources to get around, but they also drop fruit to avoid fungi and insects that live on the ground. 

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Apricot Farm
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You can prevent your Apricot tree from dropping fruit by thinning the branches, producing fruit, or blooming. The purpose is to break up some of the growing clusters so that the tree does not carry too much weight or nutrient load. Try to limit pruning to multiple branches. 

Step 10: Flower drop causes and control

Environmental factors – Apricot trees’ flowers and young fruits are sensitive to low temperatures. Therefore, flowers and young fruits are at risk of falling in early spring and late frosts, resulting in unripe fruits. In addition, in the case of low temperatures, rain, or windy weather, pollen transmission is not favorable, affecting insects such as honeypots and reducing the chances of Apricot pollination. 

SolutionImproving pollination – Growers should choose natural pollination with a low abortion rate and high fruit set rate. Pollinate trees should be planted in a ratio of 1: 3-4, and essential cultivation should be considered, which is similar to pollinating trees in the flowering period, fruitful and longevity. If the pollinating trees fail to meet the requirements, the fruit set rate can be improved by more transplanting or putting flower branches in water bottles at the flowering stage and hanging them on the main cultivar trees.

Step 11: Thin your Apricot fruit for optimal yield and quality

Suppose you can see small clusters of Apricot fruit growing together, thin out those spoiled or sick so that more resources are available for healthy Apricot fruit. It is recommended to thin the fruit for maximum yield and quality as it reduces the load on the tree from less developed or spoiled fruit. It also ensures next year’s harvest, as the tree is accustomed to removing fruit during growth and will set better. 

Step 12: Increasing the number of fruits 

Phosphorus and magnesium increase the number of fruits of Apricot. Boron, iron, and zinc also help the tree produce more fruit. Phosphorus has a direct effect on the number of fruits. Although trees do not require large amounts of phosphorus, phosphorus-deficient soils can directly affect the number of flower buds and fruits. 

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Magnesium sprays can improve fruit retention on the tree, reducing fruit fall. The common practice is to use the leaf petals on falling petals, on fruit sets, and then at intervals of 10-14 days to help overcome any setback in growth (e.g., due to low temperature) or fruit loss from the tree. In addition, soil Mg applications ensure long-term supplies are available inside the tree. 

Step 13: Caring for Apricot Tree 

Apricot plants usually require very little care. However, it is essential to take extra care of good plant growth and yields. Apricot plants are generally easier to care for. 

Step 14: Tips for better flowering and improving fruit set

Topdressing is to make up for the lack of essential fertilizer, divided into pre- anthesis fertilizer, post-anthesis fertilizer, and flower bud separation fertilizer. Pre-anesthesia fertilizer is usually applied 0.2 kg-0.5 kg urea per plant before buds sprout after thawing in spring. Young and strong trees do not fertilize. After fertilization, irrigation is timely and accessible. This topdressing can promote uniform flowering, reduce flower and fruit fall, and is suitable for the growth of new shoots and roots. 

Drupe fruit trees require an adequate potassium fertilizer throughout the period, especially in the early fruiting and hard nucleus stages. In production, when the Apricot grows to the size of a peanut kernel, the leaves are sprayed with 0.5% -1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate to improve the arrangement of the fruit.

Boron encourages a better flower and fruit set. When used to maximize fruit set, boron has a crucial effect on bud bursting and flowering. Trials confirm that two to three weeks before the fall of the leaves, the best results are obtained by applying boron in the fall, which targets plants and buds. This boron is more available to encourage better flower and fruit sets next spring. 

Step 15: Feeding for better fruit production

With well-composted soil, constant watering, and full sunshine, your Apricot tree will give you sweet and juicy fruit for many years to come. If your Apricot tree does not seem to be growing at a good rate, 8 to 10 inches of new growth for mature trees, your soil may need to add a little nitrogen. It should be planted only after the fruit of the tree. You can apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer to encourage a healthy root system and fruit production during the flowering season. 

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Apricot Yield
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Water Apricot trees weekly in the first summer after planting. Once a tree is established, it will only need to be watered occasionally. During fruiting, keep the soil evenly moist to reach full size. Feeding the trees in early spring; Spread several inches of aged manure or aged manure around each tree to the drip line. Also, before the fruit set, feed the trees with all-purpose (10-10-10) fertilizer in the spring. 

Step 16: Pruning improves tree growth 

Prune the Apricot tree every year to remove dead or diseased branches. Pruning your Apricot tree allows it to get more sunlight and air circulation. Make sure you harvest each spring before the new growing season begins. As a rule of thumb, if the top of your Apricot tree is green, but the bottom layer is withering, the bottom layer is not getting sunlight, and you have to prune the top. Always prune branches that are more than six years old or have stopped bearing fruit.

Step 17: Reasons for splitting Apricot fruits 

Although burning Apricot pits is a hidden problem that may surprise you when you open ripe fruits, splitting Apricot fruits is more obvious and easier to detect. Although the breakage of Apricot fruit does not affect the taste or flavor of the fruit, it halves its storage life, and you have to eat it within a day; otherwise, it will spoil.

Will Still, this is not the best way to grow Apricots. And the reason why almost ripe fruits bloom is because of poor watering patterns. Other factors contribute to the problem, such as poor harvesting, too much or too little fertilizer, and lack of sunlight. 

Control – Firstly, you should keep the Apricot tree growing evenly in moist soil. Dry soil puts pressure on the tree, preventing the fruit from ripening. And if you forget to water the tree when the fruit is almost ripe, then fill it with water which makes the fruit bloom. It is because the stressed tree absorbs enough moisture to feed the fruit. An automatic irrigation system keeps the soil moist until the fruit changes color. 

Step 18: Pests and diseases control for more growth

In humid climates, Apricots often cause fungal diseases such as brown rot. Growing good-quality Apricots usually requires a protective spray with organic fungicides. Apricots are resistant to many pests and diseases that affect their cousins, peaches, and nectarines. The biggest obstacle to a viable Apricot crop is frost. 

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Apricot Plantation
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Good hygiene on the farm, proper fertilization, and watering can be all the extra care needed to prevent frost-free history in your zone once the tree is established and opened. Examples of good practices for controlling pests and diseases are proper watering, fertilizing as needed, seasonal pruning, prevention and active spraying, fall cleanup, and winter protection.

Step 19: Harvesting tips for getting more fruits

Usually, Apricots are harvested when the color of the fruit is complete, depending on the cultivar, from yellow to deep orange, with no green in the skin, and they begin to soften. Mature Apricots vary from 1 1/2 to 2 ½ inches in diameter. The maturity of the fruit is determined by the strength of the flesh, the bricks, and the size. Fruits should be harvested by hand in cloth bags to avoid damage.

When broken, a long stem should be stopped to prevent pathogenic infection where the stem meets the fruit. Cloth bags are emptied into lined harvest crates and transported to the parking area. Reduce fruit temperature as soon as possible to achieve a viable shelf life.

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