How To Grow An Apricot Tree In Australia

You can buy the ripest apricot in any shop, but nothing is more delicious than the fruit produced by your own apricot tree.

Growing a tree takes time and effort, but once it’s time for harvest, there’s no sweeter moment. Plus, you’ll get a gorgeous garden thanks to those autumn apricot tree leaves!

How to grow an apricot tree? It’s easiest from bare-rooted or container-grown trees, but you can also plant apricot seeds. The important factors are full sun, well-drained soil, and regular pruning when young.

Pretty spring flowers, delicious summer fruits, stunning autumn foliage – apricot trees have it all. Here’s your guide from gardening pros for growing (and caring for) apricots.

When to Plant | Growing Conditions | How to Plant | Where to Grow | Apricot Tree Care | Managing Apricot Crops

 

Much Ado About Apricots

Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) belong to the Rosaceae family. They join peaches, nectarines, plums, and cherries in the family of stone fruits.

Through late winter to mid-spring (August to September), flowering varieties put out pink or white apricot blossoms.

If the conditions are right, the buds will produce fruit that ripens between late November and January. Fresh apricots have a slight fuzz and an orange-to-red blush.

Then come autumn, the leaves will change into a colourful display of yellow, orange, and red before falling ahead of winter.

An apricot tree’s size will depend on which variety you get. Standard apricot trees can reach 3-6m (10-20ft) in height, making them the perfect small tree to highlight a home garden.

Dwarf apricot trees, on the other hand, reach about 1-3m (6-10ft) – so they’re just right for patios and small gardens.

Common apricot varieties grown in Australia include:

• Divinity apricot
• Moorpark apricot
• Storeys apricot

 

When to Plant an Apricot Tree in Australia

The best time to plant a bare-rooted apricot tree in Australia is mid to late winter. The nursery tree will be dormant, so it can focus its energy on establishing roots.

This also gives it enough time to sprout before the growing season begins in spring.

When growing an apricot from seed, time the germination so you can transplant the young plants in spring, when the weather is warming up.

 

Apricot Tree Growing Conditions

For your apricot tree to thrive, you need to give it the best growing conditions – positioning, soil, light, and more.

Climate is also a key factor in producing juicy apricots for harvest.

 

Soil 

An apricot tree can adapt to a wide range of soils but does best in well-drained, loose soil with a pH between 6.5 and 8.0.

Test your soil and raise or lower the pH of the soil as necessary. You can use compost, well-rotted manure, or agricultural lime to correct any imbalance.

If you have heavy soil like clay, add amendments such as perlite, sand, or gravel.

For potted apricot trees, use a potting mix that’s slightly alkaline, with lots of organic matter.

 

Light 

An apricot tree grows best in full sun, receiving at least 8 hours of sunlight during the growing season.

Too little sunlight prevents the tree from getting enough energy and nutrition, resulting in little to no fruits.

If you’re growing apricot trees indoors, they’ll need a full-spectrum grow light for 8-10 hours a day.

 

Position or spacing

An apricot tree grows vigorously, so plant it where it has room to spread roots and branches.

Be mindful of other trees, structures, and power lines within the tree’s vicinity. Keep a space around the tree that’s at least the width of the fully-grown crown.

The standard apricot tree height is 3-6m, with a 4-6m wide crown. This means it should be at least 6m away from structures.

Dwarf apricot trees can reach 2-3m in height and width, and are often grown in pots.

 

Climate

Apricot trees need cool winters for fruit production, and hot, dry summers to develop the best flavour. They do not tolerate high humidity.

Generally, apricot flower buds need up to 900 hours at temperatures around 7ºC (44ºC) or below before spring so the trees can produce fruit.

However, there are “low chill” varieties that will fruit even in warmer weather.

That means these hardy trees thrive in warm or cool temperate climates like New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria.

Any frost or rain during the flowering season could prevent pollination, resulting in few to no fruits.

If you live in a more windy climate, stake your apricot tree for protection against strong winds.

 

How to Plant an Apricot Tree

Many nurseries have young, bare-rooted trees ready for planting in winter – the most common way to grow apricots.

Planting container-grown trees is the easiest method, but they’re more expensive.

You can also grow apricot trees from seed, even from a shop-bought fruit!

 

Planting bare-rooted apricot trees

Apricot trees are commonly available as bare-rooted plants or bare-rooted grafts. They’re typically sold from winter to early spring and must be planted ASAP or the roots could dry out.

When planting a bare-rooted apricot tree, prepare your planting spot ahead of time. Dig out any grass and weeds in a 1m wide circle, then amend the soil as necessary.

If your garden gets windy, the tree will need stakes while it’s growing, so position them in the ground at this point.

Place the plant’s roots in a bucket of water for an hour or two before planting. This will rehydrate them and keep them moist.

Check the young tree for the original soil line – you’ll see it on the trunk, where the bark goes from dark to light. Dig a planting hole that’s twice as wide as the root ball, and deep enough to reach the soil line.

For grafted plants, make sure the graft point (where the apricot graft meets the rootstock, or the “parent” plant) is above soil level.

Backfill the hole and gently firm it down, taking care not to compact the ground. Water the plant well to settle the soil, and layer some organic mulch near the base.

NOTE: If you can’t plant the tree immediately, cover the roots in moist soil so the plant doesn’t dry out. You can keep it that way for up to 2 weeks.

 

Planting container-grown apricot trees

Like bare-rooted varieties, a container-grown apricot is planted in a nursery, but already in pots. They’re not removed from their containers when sold and are available year-round.

This is the easiest method to grow apricots.

To plant a container-grown apricot tree, choose a sunny site with well-draining soil. Remove the plant from its container, soil and all – don’t be afraid to wiggle it out if necessary.

Inspect the roots for any rot or curling. Cut off any roots that are dark or mushy, and loosen any that have curled or circled. Avoid removing soil where you can.

Dig a hole that’s slightly wider and just as deep as the root ball. Position the plant in the hole, then gently backfill with soil. Water the ground well to settle the soil and roots.

TIP: See if you can get a tree (about 2-3 years old) that’s partially trained as a fan. Fanning can allow fruit trees to be more productive!

 

Planting an apricot tree from seed

You can grow a tree from an apricot seed, but it takes plenty of time. Moreover, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the same fruit as the parent plant – or any fruit at all.

How long does it take to grow an apricot tree from seed? Around 3-5 years, so be patient!

To grow an apricot tree from a pip, use a nutcracker or hammer to gently crack open the apricot pit and take out the seed. Collect several of them, since not all will grow.

Germinate the seeds by soaking them in a bowl of lukewarm water overnight. In the morning, wrap the seeds in damp paper towels and place them in a resealable bag.

Store the seeds in the refrigerator, keeping the temperature between 0-7ºC (32-45ºF). It can take 6-10 weeks for an apricot seed to start sprouting.

When the seeds begin germinating, wait until early spring then transfer them to small pots (10-15cm diameter) filled with seedling or starter mix.

Plant one seed per pot, around 1-1.5cm deep with the rooting end pointing down.

Place the pots where they get plenty of light or under a grow light. Keep the soil moist and re-pot as the seedlings grow bigger.

Once the young plants have 3-4 true leaves and a good root system, you can transplant them to your garden!

Plant them as you would a bare-rooted tree, in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.

 

Where to Grow an Apricot Tree

Choose where to grow your apricot based on the variety and size.

Standard apricots thrive in outdoor settings, while dwarf varieties are best for pots.

 

Growing apricots in pots

If you have limited garden space, try growing apricots in pots.

Go with dwarf apricot varieties like Trevatt or Moorpark as they stay at a manageable size.

A dwarf Trevatt can grow up to 2m, while an established dwarf Moorpark tree size is 2.5m

Choose a pot that’s 3-5cm wider than the root ball, with good drainage holes. Avoid terracotta pots since they let out too much moisture.

For outdoor potted apricots, place them in a sunny spot. Space the plants 3cm apart and away from any other plant or structure.

If you plan to grow your potted apricot indoors, keep the tree by a south or southeast-facing window that gets plenty of morning sun. However, know that it might not flower or fruit much due to low sun exposure.

Avoid letting the plant dry out – consistent moisture is necessary for producing good fruits.

 

Growing apricots in the ground

If you have the garden space, it’s best to grow your apricot tree in the ground – especially for standard varieties that can reach 6m in height.

Make sure the planting site receives plenty of sun in spring and summer, and there’s no structure nearby.

Avoid growing apricot trees in the shade of other plants.

If you live somewhere very humid or with lots of rain, you may want to choose to grow the tree indoors instead. Apricots don’t like high humidity or soggy soil, which can prevent pollination and cause rot.

Apricots have shallow root systems, so they’re not a danger to sewage systems.

 

Apricot Tree Care in Australia

Proper care and maintenance help ensure your apricot tree stays happy and healthy!

That way, it’ll produce gorgeous flowers and delicious fruits year after year.

 

Watering

Newly-planted apricot trees need regular watering – around 1-3 times a week, with the soil thoroughly soaked. For potted apricots, water until excess moisture runs out of the drainage holes.

Mature apricot trees need less watering, but should not be allowed to dry during the growing season. Apricots are only moderately drought-tolerant and need regular watering to bear fruit.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy or wet, and always water around the base – don’t let leaves or branches get wet. Adjust your watering schedule during cooler or rainy months.

Potted apricots dry out more quickly, so keep an eye on moisture levels. Check the soil often and water when the pot is about halfway dry.

You can ensure good ventilation and drainage by elevating the pot with bricks or pot feet.

TIP: A layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and discourage weeds. The best time to mulch an apricot tree is in late spring or early summer.

 

Pruning 

Pruning an apricot tree is a key part of its care. Proper pruning helps promote vigorous growth, leading to more fruit to harvest.

Young apricot trees should be pruned in late winter or early spring, when new leaves are emerging.

On the other hand, mature apricot trees should be pruned in summer, right after harvest.

Apricots fruit best on younger wood (2-3 years), so prune any fruit-bearing branches above the lowest bud to encourage fresh growth.

No matter the season, though, remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches to keep the tree healthy. You should also prune if you notice crowding or scraggly growth.

If this gardening task feels daunting, ask for pruning assistance to maintain your tree.

 

Feeding

Do apricot trees need fertiliser? For outdoor trees, it isn’t necessary as the native soil should provide all the nutrients. Still, a good fertiliser can encourage more and larger crops.

However, potted apricots will need annual fertilising to keep them productive.

Feed your apricot tree with a high-potassium (potash) fertiliser in late winter or early spring. You can opt for organic fertiliser like composted chicken manure, worm castings, or seaweed solution.

If it’s time to harvest fruit and you notice uneven ripening or production, that could signal too much nitrogen in the soil. Slow or stunted growth, on the other hand, indicates poor general nutrition.

It’s optional, but you can also apply a slow-release fertiliser in autumn to give the plant some food while it’s dormant.

 

Repotting

Repot your apricot tree after its first year. Afterwards, only repot when the plant is root-bound.

When repotting your apricot tree, choose a pot size that’s just 3-5cm larger than the original container.

This minimises the risk of too much moisture and root rot.

 

Preventing diseases and pests

Common apricot diseases include brown rot, bacterial canker, blossom wilt, and silver leaf. 

Brown rot is a fungal disease that often occurs in wet or humid conditions. It’s common in many places in Australia, such as Queensland and the rainy parts of Tasmania.

Signs of brown rot include:

• Brown or wilting flowers
• Spots of rot on ripening fruit
• Dark, sunken spots on branches
• Fuzzy grey spores on fruits or leaves

To prevent disease from weakening your apricot tree, plant it in the right soil and location. You can also control brown rot and other fungal problems by thinning the fruits or leaves.

If you see signs of disease, prune any infected wood and remove infected fruit ASAP. Do not compost diseased branches to prevent spreading to other plants.

Apricot trees can also suffer pests like fruit flies, earwigs, aphids, and garden weevils. The fruits and flowers may attract birds, bats, and possums.

Use the appropriate repellants or netting to deter these creatures.

 

Managing and Harvesting Your Apricot Crop

Those fresh, delicious apricots are the crowning glory of apricot trees! Proper care will give you a productive crop.

How long for an apricot tree to bear fruit? It can take around 2-5 years after planting.

 

When do apricots ripen?

Apricot fruits typically ripen from late November to February (late spring to summer), depending on the variety.

You can check for ripeness by colour (bright yellow or deep orange) or twist an apricot on a stem. If it’s slightly soft and easy to pull off, it’s ready!

Apricot season in Australia is from November to February, sometimes up to March.

 

How to harvest apricots

To maximise flavour and juiciness, allow apricot fruits to ripen on the tree.

When they’re ready, gently twist each fruit off the stem and place it in a bucket or basket.

Apricots are best eaten fresh, but you can store the remaining fruit in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

 

How to protect apricot fruits and flowers

Like any other fruit tree, apricots are frost-sensitive. Too-cold temperatures or frost can prevent fruiting.

Cover your tree in horticultural fleece during winter if you live somewhere that gets frost.

Remove it during the daytime to let in sunlight and pollinating insects.

 

How to improve an apricot crop

Most apricots are self-fertile, meaning you need only one tree to produce flower buds and fruits.

However, they have a short flowering season (August to September). If there are too few pollinating insects or too much rain, you may have to hand-pollinate in the early morning to ensure fruiting.

To hand-pollinate, use a small paint brush or cotton bud to transfer pollen from one flower to another (be gentle!). Mist with water to ensure the pollen sticks.

Why is your apricot tree not fruiting? Common causes include flower damage, reduced pollination, or lack of nutrition (e.g. low phosphorus).

 

How to thin out apricots

Apricot trees often produce more fruits than they can carry. In this case, perform fruit thinning to improve air circulation and the quality of the remaining fruits.

Remove any fruits that are:

• Dried
• Misshapen
• Marble-sized
• Poorly-shaped
• Growing in awkward positions

Thin out the remaining fruitlets so there’s about 6-8cm of space between them.

 

More Fruitful Information About Apricot Trees (FAQs)

Here are a few other useful things to know about growing and caring for an apricot tree.

 

Are apricot trees deciduous?

Yes, apricot trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the autumn and go dormant in the winter.

This dormancy period is necessary for their fruit production cycle.

 

Are apricot trees self-fertile?

Yes, most apricot trees are self-fertile, so they don’t need pollen from another tree to bear fruit.

However, they’ll produce more fruits if you have two trees or grafted stock!

 

How long do apricot trees live?

Apricot trees are long-lived – the lifespan of an apricot can last decades!

However, they’ll only produce fruit for about 20-25 years.

 

Can you espalier apricot trees?

You can, but only in a fan shape. The T-shaped espalier isn’t recommended since apricot wood can be brittle.

If you don’t have the experience, though, our pro gardeners suggest sticking with potting or ground planting.

Fan-training an apricot tree can be difficult, with many extra steps to keep its size and shape.