If you're looking for an early-ripening fruit, consider the challenge of growing this one. The blooming process is notorious for being difficult, especially in areas with late frosts. To succeed, you'll need well-drained, moderately fertile soil, and should thin out the fruit early in the season to optimize the size and quality of your yield. Be warned, though: this fruit is susceptible to a number of ailments, including bacterial canker, shot hole fungus, brown rot, and peach twig borer. With patience and care, however, you can expect to harvest your first crop in the fourth or fifth year.
- Zones: 6-10
- Chill hours: < 300
- Bloom Time: Very Early (Based on typical Central Valley California weather)
- Harvest: June 1 - June 15
- Looks: Medium sized, yellow fleshed, freestone fruit. Looks most like an apricot that is less fuzzy than usual.
- Personality: Good balance between acid and sugar giving it excellent flavor and eating quality.
- Facts of note: Has typical apricot flesh near the pit cavity and becomes firmer the closer to the skin. The fruit holds its shape when fully tree ripe and after being processed. Apriums® are 75% apricot and 25% plum. Developed by Zaiger.
- Pollination: Bigger crops if pollenized by any apricot.