How to Plant Apricot Seeds So They Germinate and Sprout Successfully
Apricot is the fruit of the deciduous tree apricot, an important economic fruit tree. Its fruit is sweet and juicy, and usually ripens in June-July. After eating the flesh, you can also plant the seeds. So how do you plant its seeds?
How to plant apricot seeds?
1. Stratification
Many plants need their seeds stratified before sowing, because this awakens them and helps the seeds germinate faster. Apricot seeds need stratification: soak the seeds in hot water and stir, letting the seeds absorb the heat fully; after cooling, spray them with warm water twice a day, and once the seeds turn white they are ready. This method is the most effective.
2. Preparing the soil
Apricot trees like a sunny, warm environment, so they are generally planted in spring and autumn. They also prefer loose, fertile, well-drained soil. Before sowing, prepare the land well: dig and turn over the soil and apply plenty of base fertilizer. Make good drainage arrangements, so that later waterlogging in the soil can be avoided, no major problems will arise, and the apricot tree can grow smoothly and bear abundant fruit, greatly increasing the yield.
3. Sowing
You can plant the seeds directly in the ground at a depth of 5-8CM, then water thoroughly, and after the water seeps down, cover with soil. You can also cover with plastic film to keep warmth and moisture. Before the seeds sprout, be careful to keep the soil moist, not too dry. They generally sprout in early April of the following year.
4. Raising seedlings
After the apricot trees sprout in spring, keep the soil moist and prevent it from becoming too dry or too wet. At the same time, apply additional fertilizer appropriately according to the growth of the seedlings, mainly well-rotted organic fertilizer or cake fertilizer, increase ventilation, and carry out timely pest and disease control. Generally, apricot seedlings of the current year can grow to about 1.5 m, and begin to bear fruit in 4-5 years.
Besides growing from seed, the method commonly used for apricots is grafting, which is suitable in spring, summer and autumn.