Apricots in Huntington Beach, CA

[naclh2o]

I’m looking to replace a 15 year old Royal Apricot (rootstock unknown – suckered like crazy). It has never produced more than 6 fruit in a season. This year it had one while a first year Cot-n-Candy Aprium (Citation rootstock – wet clay soil) 6 feet away had 50+ . Our soil ph is very high, not great for apricots, but should the success with the Aprium indicate apricots are worth pursuing? Also, we had an apricot listed as “dwarf” (no variety identified) that produced well, but the fruit was bland. The closest CIMIS weather station (proximity and climatically) is 10 miles away in long Beach, CA. 9 years of data suggests I should plan for about <400 chill hours (452 if rationalized for the year that we only got 54 hours). The descriptions point to a Goldkist as being a good choice for Huntington Beach. However, the descriptions as to the quality of the Goldkist fruit are a bit vague (none are listed as “bad”, but some are rather bland). How’s the fruit quality? The few Royals we grew were excellent. Since the Cot-n-Candy is doing well (and the fruit quality is extremely tasty) would another Aprium (Flavor Delight) be the way to go? Would that be a better or worse pollination scenario? Is there enough difference in flavor between the two Apriums? I do value my local Nursery Professionals’ recommendations, but I want to ensure the recommendation in not restricted to their inventory on hand.

[naclh2o]

Can anyone confirm if the two Apriums (Flavor Delight and Cot-n-Candy) successfully cross-pollinate? I'd like to get the trees in this week or next and need to make a decision on Goldkist Apricot or Flavor Delight Aprium to support my Cot-n-Candy Aprium. I'm thinking the fruit quality of the Goldkist my be bland. If so, I'd go with the Aprium if it will cross with the other Aprium. My Local nurserymen say they don't know.

[Craig]

naclh20:

Dave Wilson Nursery literature indicates Cot-N-Candy Aprium(R) is self-fruitful. If you wanted a pollenizer for insurance (perhaps bigger crops some years), an apricot (e.g. Gold Kist) would likely do more good than another Aprium(R).

I recall Gold Kist as being especially tasty, an example of smaller fruits often being more flavorful than large ones.

Also - one thing to keep in mind when growing apricots is that irrigation shortly before harvest can wash out the flavor and sweetness.

Craig

[naclh2o]

Craig, thanks for your reply. I was of the understanding that notwithstanding Cot-n-Candy being listed as "self-fertile", it would be more productive with an appropriate pollinator (much like the Flavor Delight). But it sounds like it doesn't matter. I was real happy with it's first year production, but wasn't sure what role, if any the Royal I took out played (all 6 blossoms). I appreciate your confirmation on the Goldkist fruit quality. Has the Flavor Delight beat out the Goldkist in taste tests? Also, noting Tom's comments that the Flavor Delight's chill requirement is much lower than the listed 600 hours (~ 300 like the Goldkist), would it be as productive as the Goldkist? I have over 20 trees in a small yard, and as space is approaching critical mass, I need to put more thought into space decisions.

Image is of a first year Cot-n-Candy Aprium.

[Craig]

All-in-all, I think Flavor Delight would be considered the more interesting fruit and Gold Kist the more productive.

[naclh2o]

I opted for a Gold Kist and a Red Baron (peach) both on Citation and planted them the day the bare root stock arrived at Laguna Hills Nursery. They are both pushing blossoms after being in the ground for only 4 weeks! That brings the total up to 22 fruit trees. If I can whack the hibiscus back a bit, maybe there’s room for #23???

[fruitman60]

funny.....I have just crossed an identical bridge myself. My Katy, Royal, and Autumn Royal perform poorly here in Ventura Co. I opted for a Flavor Delight....after talking to Tom (sales at DWN). They actually changed their website after talking to me....and lowered the chill hours on the FD. I am also considering a Goldkist.....but can't find anyone who can definately give me good feedback on taste and quality.

[naclh2o]

Regarding the quality of the Goldkist, review this thread. Craig from DWN indicates that it rates high in flavor. That was the final push I needed.

It is funny that we had the same quandary regarding apricot or Aprium. I opted for the Cot-n-Candy in ’08 as Flavor Delight was still listed as requiring more chill than we typically get and it seemed to need an apricot for pollination (the Cot-n-Candy lived up to being self-fertile – pictured above in thread). So with the Royal doing squat, it seemed to be the one that needed to be replaced. I recall as a kid growing up in the San Fernando Valley how our Royal would have so much fruit, the ground was completely covered. In HB (~400 chill hours), most folks have a tough time getting apricots to produce. I know of one tree that produces extremely well locally, but the guy doesn’t recall the variety; hopefully it’s a Goldkist.