Wilting Apricot Tree

[mogs]

Hi All

I planted an Early Moorcroft Apricot tree from a 12 inch diameter container last week, after purchasing from my local fruit nursery. I know it was a few weeks late as not fully dormant, but nurseryman said should be okay as only early leaf buds opening. I dug in a mix of manure and compost with the soil and scattered a wisp of bonemeal in there and then watered in well.

Went up last night and the leaves appear to be wilting, and as we have had some very dry weather this last couple of weeks and the soil is on a raised bed and well draining, I watered it with a bucketful of water. However, today, still looks like it's wilting. Is this usual after planting and will it recover once snuggled in? Or have I killed it maybe??

[FB.]

Newly planted trees need lots of regular watering in their first year.
Plums/peaches etc really dislike dry soil.

For a newly planted tree, a bucketful of water once a fortnight in dry spells is nowhere near enough as it doesn't have an established roots system. I'd be giving it a bucketful every 3 days.

I would poke a cane into the ground a few inches away from the trunk, to make several drainage holes. Then give it a bucketful of water. Let it drain down the holes and then give another bucketful. In other words; at your next opportunity, do your best to drown it because it sounds as if it is now so weak that it can't go find its own water!

Most people grossly underestimate just how much water a newly-planted tree requires.

[Jardiniere]

hope it survives ...my apricot gave up the ghost and died last summer ..i think it was just too dry for it ...it was over a year old -

[mogs]

Thanks FB for your valuable advice as always - I've given it another bucketful today and will do as you suggest tomorrow and try and drown the beggar - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and all that!