Comments on: Apricots and the False Spring

By: johnw

johnw — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:38 +0000

Nice article, except your explanation of from where these hybrid fruit come is a little off. Hybrids are created by cross pollination between in this instance a plum and an apricot. A pluot is generally a second generation or more cross of say a plumcot (first generation hybrid) with a plum. Most pluots today are from numerous crosses and don’t necessarily have a specific genetic history (like 75% plum/25% apricot). Grafting an apricot on a plum tree will only result in a two variety tree, as any wood grafted on another type of tree will grow true to type above the point it was grafted.

By: Diana Khan

Diana Khan — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:17:14 +0000

Wish this tree was in my backyard…yummmmmmm

By: ThePodgineer

ThePodgineer — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:30:56 +0000

Well, sorry to say all my blossoms got toasted here in Utah! Bummer to say the least. I was sooooo looking forward to getting a nice crop from my 5 year old semi-dwarf tree too. Oh well, my Rio Oso peach tree has made up for it with a splendid profusion of blossoms. The entire tree is bursting at the seams with fruit nodes. Thinning will be a real hard thing! MY heirloom apples came on heavy this year as well – looking forward to sampling Spitzenburg

By: James Parker

James Parker — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:43:23 +0000

Hi Kimberly: The answer to your question will vary from market to market. From what we’ve gathered the growers in the central valley were affected the most – and mainly with the early varieties (the late bloomers were not hit as hard). The growers closer to the coast did not see as much damage so farmers markets that are served by coastal growers will see close to a normal season. My best guess is the length of the California season as a whole will be the same as most years with some gaps in supply Late May/ Early June but with fruit into July. Another factor I neglected to mention is the lack of available water for irrigation in California as a result of a prolonged drought we are experiencing. This may also impact the crop.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:15:55 +0000

Any sense of how long we can expect to see apricots for sale at CA Farmer’s Markets given the “short crop?”

By: raquel

raquel — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:44:54 +0000

thank you for the article! it’s great to explain a bit of agriculture and its difficulties to customers, as then they will understand why apricots, pears, tomatoes, etc, are nature.
good idea to give value as well to the produces that had, example, an ice rain in some moment of their maturation – reason why the parsimon is looking not perfect, but still healthy and tasty.
if consumers only give value to the perfect ones, it can put away many small producers, family that live based on the land – against then, the so often called ‘organic’ concept.

By: chef andre

chef andre — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:14:41 +0000

Love the info. Ripe sun sweetened apricots are one of my favs. Also an apricot wine that a friend made a few years back (but thats another story). Do U have any recipes that I can share on kathyireland.com? Please let me know. Stir it UP baby!
chef andre

By: terrie

terrie — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:36:33 +0000

That was quite an interesting read, and the yummy apricot slices topped with a dab of heavy whipped cream and a berry looks like something I will definitely be making this season!