Being your own bee (buzzing optional)

[nickdub]

I noticed the small Flavourcot tree I have in my small poly-tunnel is about to flower, so I will need to get to work pollinating with a paint-brush in a few days time. So just a quick reminder to anyone in a similar boat to check your trees.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for the reminder, Nick
Looking forward to posing amongst the peaches, wielding my paintbrush and pretending I'm an artist.

[nickdub]

No worries VC - happy brushing.

[TrixC]

I have two apricot trees, Tomcot on my allotment and Aprigold in a patio pot. Tomcot was flowering a week ago when it was much warmer so hopefully some pollinators got there in time. The Aprigold normally flowers very early, in late Feb, and was right about to blossom when the Beast from the East arrived. As a result it seems to have completely stalled, the flowers still haven’t opened. Is this a normal reaction to extreme cold? I also have a patio peach which is in full blossom, even though it’s normally several weeks later than the apricot.

[BUFFS]

My moorpark apricot has stalled for about a month so far but we still keep getting minus temps, sytill it can't last for ever, but it has been known to last til June before spring finally got going, so its fingers crossed for the peaches and nectarines too..

[devonuk]

My new goldcot drops its blossom half the time when I try to do this. I thought it was me being clumsy but apparently it's a thing apricots do sometimes. I just hope it will have settled down next year. On the bright side seedling peach has 54 blossoms.

[nickdub]

I have two apricot trees, Tomcot on my allotment and Aprigold in a patio pot. Tomcot was flowering a week ago when it was much warmer so hopefully some pollinators got there in time. The Aprigold normally flowers very early, in late Feb, and was right about to blossom when the Beast from the East arrived. As a result it seems to have completely stalled, the flowers still haven’t opened. Is this a normal reaction to extreme cold? I also have a patio peach which is in full blossom, even though it’s normally several weeks later than the apricot.

If the Aprigold still has buds on it and you have the space it might be worth moving it inside to get the flowers to open. A lot of times not only do fruit flowers need pollinating but they also have to be warm enough for the pollen to "take" properly so that you set some fruit. Also the flowers are most vulnerable to frost when they are wide open. Something like a small soft-bristled paint brush is sufficient to do the pollinating with.

[Hereford fruit grower]

My two apricot trees show almost no signs of life and are probably enjoying something closer to their preference which is: cold winters, hot summers and relatively reliable seasons.

In 2010, i.e. after winter 2009-10, many fruit trees cropped superbly. My advice is to do nothing which speeds up flowering. While trees remain dormant, we would get yet another cold spell and they'd be totally unharmed.

I couldn't possibly move my Early Moorpark tree inside. It's 6 metres across, 3 metres high! However, I would rate the chances of a good crop as higher this year than in the years 2015 to 2017; it's being kept back so long by consistently cold weather.

If a tree hasn't come into bloom, I'd keep it back as long as possible so that the weather is likely to be somewhat better when it finally does bloom (and use artificial aids if needed like a rabbit's tail or paint brush.)

It sounds as if apricot trees in London have flowered a bit too early, given this year's weather. By contrast, the trees here have done the right thing, which is to stay dormant.

[Bluenowhere]

My patio peach tree, rather a misnomer at the moment as in under the car port (clear Perspex roof) to protect it from rain and snow. Isn’t near flowering don’t think it liked the Beast(s) from the east.

Should I worry?

[nickdub]

I think mine being in a poly-tunnel is the reason its starting now - did a quick once over with a brush on the open flowers this morning. Really I'd prefer to have planted it outside, but with all the various pest problems I get protecting it inside is that bit easier.

[nickdub]

Nah, they are very hardy as it gets much colder in China where a lot of them originate - just needs good weather when the flowers do finally open. :-)