Chapter 121 Prunus mume
121.2 Soil: General Deciduous / Rich Conifer Mix
Ratio: 3 parts bark, 1 part grit
Add-ins: dolomitic limestone (~5 lbs/yd), Tree-Tone (15 lbs/yd)
pH: ~6.5 (slightly below neutral)
Moisture: keep moist from the time buds begin to swell through the growing season. Reduce water in winter.
121.3 Light
Full sun. Provide mid-day shade in summer.
121.4 Cultivation Notes
Cultivation and styling of flowering apricots focuses on maximizing the white to pink flowers that appear on the bare stems and trunks in late winter. These disappear by the time the first green leaves emerge. The spring and summer leaves are unremarkable and out of scale for the tree, and only a few cultivars have significant fall color.
121.4.1 Potting & Root Pruning
Repot after flowering. Prefers a deeper pot.
121.4.1.1 Top & Branch Management
Heavy pruning: the goal of pruning is to create as rugged a base as possible to provide a counterpoint to the winter flowers. Prune branches back hard after flowering, then let run without pruning until early fall.
Fine pruning: cut back to desired lengths in early fall.
Leaf pruning: do not try to leaf prune. It slows down branch growth and flower bud production.
121.4.2 Feeding
Feed every two weeks in summer, more often if growth slows down.
Use a balanced fertilizer until mid-summer, then transition to a lower-nitrogen fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium. End the season with nitrogen-free fertilizer.
An example of a feeding program for flowering apricots would be:
- Start with with short-acting (2-3 month) 15% N, 9% P, 12% K controlled release granules (Osmocote Outdoor, for example) at half the normal quantity just after spring leaf-out. Alternatively start out with PlantTone (5-3-3), or Peter’s Soluble 20-20-20, at 1/4 strength.
- From mid-June to September, feed biweekly with Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food (18-24-16) at 1/4 or 1/2 strength. If you prefer a granular feed, use Espoma FlowerTone (3-4-5) mixed with some bone meal, or Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Blooms Plant Nutrition Granules (5-7-10).
- In October, feed with Alaska Morbloom (0-10-10) or any low or no-nitrogen fertilizer you already use.
121.4.3 Pests & Problems
Watch out for aphids. It should not be needed, but do not spray flowers with insecticides.
121.4.4 Winter Storage
Store in mulch outdoors. Try to place in a shaded area so buds do not break too soon. Protect from frost to prevent twig die-back and loss of flowers.
121.5 Propagation Notes
Propagate by taking hardwood cuttings in late winter.
121.6 Artistic & Styling Notes
Over time the trunk becomes gnarled and twisted. Dead spots can be carved out similar to crabapples and cherries.
121.7 Additional Information
121.7.1 Natural History
Native to Japan and Korea, in Zone 6-9.
A field-grown apricot in bloom. Link to image source.
121.7.2 In Cultivation
Despite their appearance, flowering apricots are tougher and longer lived than most other Prunus species, and outperform many flowering shrubs. Trees in pots ARE frost-tender once new growth starts.