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Sickly apricot tree any advice please?

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Polly99 Wed 09-Jun-21 13:11:51

Last summer I bought a patio apricot tree and planted it in a large (half barrel size) pot. It was growing very healthily with lots of leaves which were of course shed in the Autumn, In April the blossom began to open but unfortunately it was hit by the frost and they all fell off. All the tiny buds seem to be hard and desiccated. I had thought that new leaves would emerge but the branches are still bare. The wood is still green inside but I have now noticed a clear sticky resinous substance emerging from some of the buds. Has anyone else had this happen? Is there any hope for a recovery?

Any advice appreciated.

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J52 Wed 09-Jun-21 13:45:17

I think you might have a parasite infestation, very difficult to treat, as chemical treatment would mean you could not eat any fruit. It’s very disheartening, I know. Young trees are susceptible because they haven’t built up resistance.
My old pear tree suddenly got a fungus that turned the leaves black and attacked the fruit. Picking off the leaves was the only alternative. We’ve left it untreated and slowly each year it’s got better, although we’ve been unable to eat the fruit.
Three years on we are keeping our fingers crossed that it has now fully recovered. Looks good, so far.

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Polly99 Wed 09-Jun-21 15:30:20

Thanks for the reply J52 . I think it may have bacterial canker. Apparently apricots are the least hardy fruit to grow in this country. A plum bought at the same time is doing fine. I will leave it a little longer and see what happens.

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