Most apricot trees in Santa Fe got zapped by an extreme cold nite this past week. I measured 17°F one nite, (although now with our heat waves how quickly I forget). Our one apricot tree lost all its blossoms. I also went by the Railyard Park here in town across from Whole Foods and all the apricot tree blossoms there also got zapped by the cold-they were in full bloom the day before. Now they are dropping off. Looks like we will not be having a good harvest of apricots unless you have one that was sheltered by a warm building. If so, lucky you. Looks like the rest of us won’t be making apricot jam this year…bummer!
A sudden cold snap in spring quite often zaps apricot trees here as they are usually the first to blossom. So like I use to say in garden class, ‘Do you know what I call an apricot tree? A good shade tree.” And they produce beautiful colors in the fall too.
They say we usually get a crop once every 7 years-oh well, unless you are one o the lucky ones!
giantveggiegardener 
Yes, but if you graft some late-blooming varieties onto your tree, you can have more possibilities of not losing all the fruit. Harcot, Harglow, Jerseycot, Tomcot are varieties I’ve had success with. Each February I give a free grafting workshop and scion exchange at the main library in Santa Fe.
LikeLike
thanks for the info!
LikeLike
Bummer! I can remember apricot set being damaged by late rain, but not completely ruined.
LikeLike
I live south of you on the north end of Eldorado and had a peach tree with 30% blossoms and with most buds swollen before the freeze. If the bees are still hitting the tree hard along with minimal bud discoloration, is that a good sign? The tree is protected on 3 sides by south facing wall and I placed several hot buckets of water underneath it around 6 AM along with soaking the ground the night prior.
Sent from my iPhone
LikeLike
Hello! By now you should see if you have apricots. It is good that it has shelter on 3 sides. Very good about the bees too. Let me know if you got some apricots!
LikeLike