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🍑 Our Select Apricot Tree Varieties
Apricots are the "golden gems" of the summer garden. They thrive in the sunny, well-drained soils of Walmer and Lovemore Heights. While many are self-fertile, planting different varieties nearby often results in a much heavier harvest!
The Sweet All-Rounder: A popular South African variety known for its excellent balance of sugar and acidity. It is a reliable producer that handles the Eastern Cape climate with ease.
Fruit Profile: Medium to large fruit with a beautiful orange skin and a slight red blush. The flesh is firm, sweet, and deep orange, making it perfect for eating fresh or drying.
Requirements:
- Sun: Needs a full sun position to develop its high sugar content.
- Soil: Loves our Triple Mix Farm Soil (R50); ensure the planting site doesn't hold standing water.
- Pollination: Self-fertile and a great companion for other apricot trees.
The Early Showstopper: One of the most sought-after varieties for home orchards because it ripens early in the season, beating the mid-summer heat.
Fruit Profile: Large, attractive oval fruits with a smooth, golden-orange skin. It is exceptionally juicy with a rich, traditional apricot flavour.
Requirements:
- Harvest: Ready for picking in late November to early December.
- Water: Requires deep, consistent watering during the fruit-swelling stage in October.
- Care: Use our Bark Chips (R55) to mulch the root zone and prevent moisture loss.
The Jam Master: If you love making apricot jam or "blatjang" (chutney), the Bulida is your best friend. It is a heavy cropper known for its large, meaty fruit that holds its shape and flavour when cooked.
Fruit Profile: Large, round, and pale orange. The flesh is firm and slightly less sweet than dessert varieties, which makes it the gold standard for preserving.
Requirements:
- Hardiness: Extremely vigorous and resistant to many common stone fruit diseases.
- Space: A fast grower that benefits from annual winter pruning to keep it manageable.
- Feeding: Responds beautifully to CFT Liquid Fertilizer (R80) in early spring.
The Resilient Choice: Originally from Greece, the Bebeco has become a South African favourite because it is less prone to "fruit drop" during erratic spring weather.
Fruit Profile: High-quality, large fruit with a very firm texture and a sweet, aromatic scent. It has an excellent shelf life compared to other apricots.
Requirements:
- Climate: Highly adaptable; it handles the windier parts of Gqeberha better than softer varieties.
- Pollination: Self-fertile but benefits from having a Soldonne nearby.
- Soil: Needs a deep planting hole filled with our Potting Soil Farm Mix (R40) for a strong start.
📍 Pot & Barrel "Die Plaas" Tip:
Apricot trees are susceptible to "Gummosis" (oozing sap). To prevent this, always prune your trees in mid-to-late winter using sharp, clean tools and avoid over-watering the trunk directly.
Visit us at the shop in Walmer, Port Elizabeth, or contact us on Whatsapp 072 867 3243.
Our Apricot Trees are currently available from R165 each.
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