Apricot from seed - germinating success

[kranser]

Hi,

About 3 months ago I put some apricot seeds in the fridge in moist sand within a plastic bag. I took them out hoping that the cold cycle would now enable them to germinate in the outdoor conditions.

To my surprise, though, half of the apricot stones had cracked open and the seeds were sprouting roots and shoots! I was surprised as I would have thought they would have needed a warmth cycle to actually germinate!

Now, I'm not sure whether to put the sprouting plants on the patio or in the polytunnel!

I know it's not true to seed, but at least the seedlings should product some kind of apricot (in about 10 years time!).

Kranser (Steve).

[Primrose]

Not sure I can offer much practical advice. The only suggestion I can make is to hedge your beds and put half your seedlings in the poly tunnel and half outdoors. I don't think apricot trees are particularly hardy but once the seedlings have established themselves I suspect they might be hardier as apricot trees (fan shape type) are sometimes grown outside in sheltered positions against walls or fences. I believe it's the blossoms that are particularly vulnerable to frost rather than the twigs and leaves and it's often recommended that they be covered with fleece if frost is forecast.

[Johnboy]

Hi Steve,
The trouble is that you are going to spend an awful lot of time over the years on something you have not the foggiest idea what you are actually growing.
There have been strains of Apricot produced that will grow and produce good crops in our very variable climate. If the seed source comes from something bought in a supermarket I very much doubt that the seed comes from one of these special varieties because SM Apricots are generally imported from places with a very different climate to ours.
They may well survive but as for fruit well that is another thing altogether.
I am loathe to say this but quite frankly I would cull them.
JB.

[kranser]

If the seed source comes from something bought in a supermarket I very much doubt that the seed comes from one of these special varieties because SM Apricots are generally imported from places with a very different climate to ours.
They may well survive but as for fruit well that is another thing altogether.

Thanks for your advice Johnboy. They did indeed come from Supermarket apricots, and as such I'd agree with you.

However, does the fact that they germinated at 4C indicate any form of hardiness?

I think I'll keep a couple (not all of them) and see what happens. If they don't fruit, then they might atleast flower and could be treated as a flowering-only variety for the UK climate, possibly?

Thanks,
Steve.