Return to the Cornucopia Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Sickly apricot
| | |
Posted by coast_dwellers VIC Aust (My Page) on Wed, Nov 9, 05 at 1:06
| 1 metre tall grafted apricot planted end of last summer looks sickly - leaves sparse, wilting and very little new growth. Tree is in company of nectarine, plum, olive and raspberries, all of which are doing well. Root stock appears to be peach or nectarine. No sign of any bug infestations.
We are 500m from beach (Waratah Bay) so region is somewhat windy, although tree is in relatively sheltered position. Soil is sandy with black humus and has been well-composted and mulched.
We would be grateful for any advice from the apricot experts out there. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
I'll also appreciate some advice - mine had been planted 2 years and has few leaves and branches break mysteriously. We suspected possums but they don't bother the peach, plums and apples in the same proximity. I've posted a pic on the link below - we too are close to the beach ( 200m), wind is our main problem but the shed shelters the apricot tree. Our peach looks like being a bumper crop and I thought apricots would thrive because they do well generally in this area,but there has been no blossom and these stunted little leaves. The stems seem OK so sign of borers. Does yours look the same? We may both have to dig them up! Cheers
Linda |
Here is a link that might be useful: Sick Apricot
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
| Hi Linda, Pics at link below. See if you think mine actually looks like it's dried out, although soil is moist enough - we've had plenty of rain. I now reckon I might have a bad graft. Regards, Bob |
Here is a link that might be useful: My apricot
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
| Yours looks healthier than mine, at least you have leaves even though they are droopy. It may be that it is not well drained do you think? Or too hot? Mine is tragic, yours looks like it might recover. The resident Bob is watching brrrmm brrms so I might google this and see what I can find. I've looked through my many books and can't find anything resembling the problem. I suspect we have different ones. Cheers
Linda |
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
Hi Bob, Your problem may be in the soil. Sandy loam is great for most fruit trees but Apricots prefer a heavier soil. The fact you're on a slope wouldn't help.
Linda, the sickly leaves may be caused by aphids, spray with pyrethrum. |
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
| Soil is certainly well-drained compared with a clay soil - percolation rate is so high we couldn't install a normal septic tank because run-off would find its way into the water table too quickly. If rootstock is peach/nectarine would graftstock be affected the same by the soil? Although soil has enough water, wilting has been getting worse during the warm weather, but I did notice a small improvement after 15mm of rain today (!!) Bob |
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
| Sorry Bob, When I said most fruit trees I was referring to everything from Jaboticaba to black sapote to cherimoya. Yes peach / nectarine are in the same category. I wouldn't say clay soil but definitely heavier soil. You probably need to add more compost or well rotted organic matter to your soil. If it is too sandy then the moisture along with all the nutrients are leaching straight through the soil. The wilting is indicating lack of moisture or a lack of the plants ability to take up adequate moisture due to the structure of the soil. |
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
| Thanks Wicky, We have clay soil here and I've checked for aphis - can't see any critters - the mystery continues, but I noticed today a couple of normal looking leaves near the top of the tree, so maybe it's recovering from whatever was wrong with it. I'll keep on looking after it - I have insect repellent pots of herbs all around the fruit trees and check regularly for aphis because of my roses.
Cheers
Linda |
RE: Sickly apricot
| | |
| Thanks Wicky and Linda, Mystery solved finally. Decided to make last-ditch (!) attempt and carefully dug the tree out to re-compost etc.. Soil looked great - rich, moist and home to lots of big juicy worms. Then noticed lowest part of trunk completely ring-barked by b..... rabbits. They got in under the wire! You live and you learn. Best, Bob |
|
|
|
|
