Early Apricot Produce Fruit First

Q. I have a 9-year old apricot tree that produced a bumper crop of delicious apricots each year.  However, this year there is an abundance of fruit set, but not many leaves. Unless the number of leaves increases significantly, I doubt if all the fruit will mature. I fertilized this apricot tree the last week of January using 10-15-15 fertilizer spikes as I do every year.

Early apricots produce fruit first

A. It is not uncommon for early apricots to set fruit first, followed shortly thereafter by leaf and shoot growth. 

Apricot Flower Production Is Early

The tree “invests” in its fruit production early by shoving stored food reserves into fruit production. You’re right. At some point the tree will not “invest” anymore and it will expect the leaves to start contributing. But that shouldn’t be for a few months.

            Later in the year the apricot tree recovers its stored food investment plus more because of the new leaf growth combined with the presence of fertilizer in the soil. Fertilizer is applied just before growth starts happening. So, in mid-to-late January (very early Spring) is a good time to apply fertilizer.

Look at Leaf Color

            Over the next couple of weeks observe the new growth. Look at the color of the leaves and the strength of growth. Dark green leaves mean the nitrogen fertilizer is inside the leaves and ready to push new growth. If we experienced cool weather earlier, then growth is slow until it gets warmer and then the tree should grow like gangbusters!

Nitrogen Produces Leaves and Stems

            If you’re established tree is not putting on some new growth by April 1, apply a high nitrogen fertilizer around the tree such as 21-0-0 or a rich compost which does basically the same thing. Spread one bag of rich compost, or about 3 pounds of 21-0-0, in a circle around the tree 18 to 24 inches from the trunk. Water it a few inches deep into the soil by hand or sprinkler. It’s important not to apply fertilizer or rich compost too close to the trunk or it could cause the fruit to drop or damage the tree.

Mulch Conserves Water

            Secondly, spread a 3 to 4-inch layer of woodchips on the surface of the soil around the tree and out to at least the edge of its canopy. Keep woodchips away from the tree trunk a few inches to avoid inciting a disease called collar rot. This mulch layer helps keep moisture in the soil and enriches it as well. You should see the tree explode with new leaf growth in about a week or two.