There are a number of ways to prune apricots. Find out interesting facts about the subtle differences between the winter and summer cut.
Like other fruit trees
The goal when blending the apricot is to ensure that the blossoms, leaves and fruits are adequately supplied with:
- light
- Sun
- air
Hobby gardeners can thus offer their apricot trees good conditions for lush growth. Depending on the variety, a rich harvest follows from July to September.
Important basics:
The apricot tree is primarily pruned less, but rather thinned out. When cutting, always make sure that the cut is made at a slight angle. Ideally, disinfected and very sharp cutting tools are used. When cutting, this must not crush the branches under any circumstances.
Tip: Cut just above an eye that faces outward.
To prevent pest infestations and disease, treat larger cuts (about $2 apiece) with tree sap. An ideal cut is also characterized by the fact that the apricot has a roof-shaped crown. An angle of 45 degrees is optimal.
In the first and second year after all competing shoots are blended. In this way, the leading drive can develop freely.
The following is blended:
- deadwood
- Shoots grow inwards
- Water shoots: shoots that grow vertically
- damaged branches and twigs (e.g. eaten by animals)
- Cut off broom-like shoots (near the ground).
Find the right time:
Regular cutting after harvest is recommended for our regions. Summer pruning takes place between August and October, depending on the variety. In any case, no frosts should announce themselves.
If you miss this point in time, a winter cut is a good idea. Between March and April, choose a frost-free moment. Make sure that one-year-old shoots are primarily cut.
tips and tricks
In particularly loamy soils, apricot trees delight with magnificent growth. In these cases, the annual pruning plays an important role.
FT