How to Grow an Apricot Plant

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) belongs to the cherry, peach and almond family and is a native fruit of China. The tree grows best in mild climates that do not experience very cold or warm weather. Apricots are grown commercially in the United States in Utah, Washington and California. It is easy to grow your own apricot plant with an apricot seed, the pit in the center of the fruit.

Small pot
Well-draining potting soil
Fresh pit
Plastic cup
Small plastic bag
Damp sterilized sand

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a small pot by filling with a well-draining potting soil. Remove one or two pits from ripe fruit. Clean any pulp on the seeds.
- 2
  Fill a plastic cup with water and soak the pits for a day. Remove and wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel.
- 3
  Place the seeds wrapped in the paper towel in the plastic bag and close tightly. You can also put about 1/2 cup of damp sand in the plastic bag and place the seeds in the sand. This is the standard procedure in the nursery industry.
- 4
  Put the bag in the fridge for about four weeks. This process is referred to as seed stratification. This is very important for the seeds to germinate.
- 5
  Remove seeds from the fridge after a month and sow a couple of inches deep into the soil in the pot. Place pot in a warm, bright area. The apricot seed shell is very hard and germination can take up to a few months.
- 6
  Let plants get stronger before transplanting to a permanent spot in the garden. Select a site in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid low-lying areas that are likely to develop frost pockets during winter. This can damage the early spring blooms of tree.

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