Dwarf apricot 'Dawnglow' - has anyone grown one?

[legume]

Hi all

I saw that DT Brown is offering a dwarf apricot tree, suitable for containers, called Dawnglow. It seems to be the only dwarf apricot tree available anywhere; even Blackmoor Nurseries and Pomona Fruits, which are my usual go-to fruit places, don't have one. Apparently a mature Dawnglow will produce around 80 fruits.

The thought of fan-training frankly scares me and I don't have the space for a full-sized freestanding tree, so thought this might be an ideal alternative.

Does anyone have any experience with Dawnglow? Is it any good?

Thanks.

[orangepippin]

I have not heard of Dawnglow, and there doesn't seem to be much information online except that it is a genetic dwarf form. There are some genetic dwarf peaches so it is perhaps not surprising if there are apricots too, but I would take the production figures with a pinch of salt - perhaps possible in the sunnier and warmer climate of France where it apparently comes from, but maybe not in the UK.

Genetic dwarf peaches are very slow-growing, hence their suitability for pot-growing - and maybe this is also true of Dawnglow.

Fan-training apricots is very easy, they are naturally vigorous and very happy to ramble up a south-facing wall. I reckon that would be easier and more productive than growing a dwarf variety in a pot, and you could choose a variety adapted to the UK climate such as Tomcot.

[Pineberry]

I have dwarf apricot aprigold, it was grown in the container for 4 years until now. Been put into ground now. Never set any fruit over this time had only few flowers. It is only about 3 foot and did not change in size over the years. Also have apricot supposedly compact apricot Isabella had set about 5 fruits last year but all dropped. It is still a big tree I would say. This autum had to cut it all down as neighborgh complained.
If you have some space try normal apricot the dwarf ones I am sceptical. On the other hand I have a dwarf peach in a pot for the same time about 4 5 years in the pot in the darkest corner in the garden never failed to set fruit every year good size too, the bugs ate them when ripe but that's another story.
Notcuts garden centres have dwarf apricots and suttons has got one too fruttoni if you still want it. Fully ripe apricot is lovely, supermarkets never have them properly ripped.

[legume]

Thank you both for your views: very helpful. I thought Dawnglow sounded a bit too good to be true!

I do have some space on a south-facing brick wall, so the hell with it: I'll try my hand at fan-training. Tomcot you say? Okey-dokes.