We're hoping this spell of warm sunny weather has come at just the right time to lure pollinating insects from their slumbers.
The first of our garden fruit trees, the apricot - Flavourcot is full of blossom.
We just need the pollinators to do their stuff and the frost to miss it.
The first of our garden fruit trees, the apricot - Flavourcot is full of blossom.
We bought the tree last year and planted it in a large pot. At most last year we had a couple of flowers and no fruit but I am hopefully, given the amount of flowers it is supporting, that this year it can manage to set at least one or two fruitlets.
Looking at where the blossom is - I'm guessing that apricots produce flower on older wood which will help when it comes to deciding how to prune it to restrict its size and control its shape.
Now should I give nature a hand and pop out with a paintbrush? I know how to hand pollinate but the problem is how do I determine when the pollen is ripe, other than keep wiping my brush across the stamen and risking damaging the flowers?
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I quite fancy an apricot tree, it will have to be a dwarf one though. My peach tree is smothered in blossom now & I've been using an ear bud on mine. I must be more reckless than you but it is kept in the greenhouse & there are no flying bugs in there at the moment.
ReplyDeleteOur peach is outside and no blossom yet. The apricot isn;t supposed to grow very large, Jo
DeleteThis is for the first time I see apricots flowers. So beautiful. How long are they blooming? Such a nice day with flowers blossom here and there. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteNone of our fruit trees have blossom for long, Endah no more than a couple of weeks at the most.
DeleteI noticed this morning that the flowers on my peach tree are just starting to open. I shall be ready with the paintbrush over the next few days.
ReplyDeleteIs your peach outside, Jo? Our peach is only starting to bud
DeleteThe information did say that the peach tree is completely winter hardy, but I moved it in to the greenhouse to be on the safe side. It's only tiny so it doesn't take up much room.
DeleteMy fruit trees (apples & pears) are still at the tight bud stage. No sign of any flowers just yet. Sorry, but I don't know how to guage the right moment for hand-pollination either.
ReplyDeleteApricots are very early, Mark which is why frost can be an issue.
DeleteGorgeous blossom. There were so many bees around when I was out yesterday.. I'm sure they'll soon find it!
ReplyDeleteI do hope so, Jessica I'll keep an eye on things tomorrow
DeleteWow, your tree is miles ahead of my two, they just have buds on. I think it's going to be a good year for bees so I'd leave them to it, there seems to be lots about already.xxx
ReplyDeleteWhich varieties do you have, Snowbird. If the flowers are frosted I'll wish this flowered later too.
DeleteAll I can remember is that they were called Apricot early. I must try and dig out the label....I've planted them in the back garden along the fence with A cherry and two apple trees.
DeleteI hear we are in for good weather for two weeks so fingers crossed for your blossom.xxx
Such pretty flowers and look like a nice, bright day!
ReplyDeleteIt was yesterday, Kelli but not today very misty.
DeleteMy peach blossom suddenly opened today. Not much sign of any pollinators, so I think it will be the paintbrush for me too.
ReplyDeleteNo peach blossom or nectarine blossom on our trees yet, CJ
DeleteAt least you will have enjoyed the flowers even if it does not produce fruit. I hope it does, you will be able to tell us in a month or so.
ReplyDeleteFingers very much crossed, Alain
DeleteWhat pretty blossom.. I have seen lots of bumble bees about and of course our honey bees.. I'm sure there must be some bees around yours somewhere.. Honey bees will travel 3-5 miles from their hives to find pollen so I'm sure you must have some honey bees around about too. :o)
ReplyDeleteI think they will have decided to stay indoors today, Julie
DeleteLovely bloom! It look like perfect painting! Can't wait to see the fruit!
ReplyDeleteI just hiope that we get some fruit, Malar
DeleteInterested to read this Sue. We planted our apricot last year and it's just started to come into blossom as well.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if either of us will get fruit Victoria?
DeleteOur bumblebees were out and about at the weekend, haven't seen any other pollinators yet.
ReplyDeleteI gave some flowers a little tickle yesterday, Jayne
DeleteWow, that has blossomed early. I have an apricot tree that has blossom budding for the first time this year and I really hope that with some help from the bees I will get some fruit this year!!
ReplyDeleteIt was early, Tanya - too early I fear - the nectarine is just beginning to flower.
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