Q.
I have an apricot tree and the leaves are a lighter green during the past
couple of months. Are
the leaves lacking nutrients?
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| Apricot leaves should be dark green when it is growing and in the summer. This color is a problem or late in the fall or winter just before leaf drop. Correct yellowing apricot leaves with an iron chelate applied in the spring or compost applied to the soil surface or both. |
A.
Perhaps. Look at this year’s growth in several places as well as its leaf
color. New growth should average about 18 inches for productive trees. Leaf
color should be dark green. If leaf color is a light green and new growth is well
under 18 inches, then consider applying a fertilizer or rich compost.
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| Not all new growth of apricot is red. Some stays green. This is excessive new growth on a mature apricot and should be cut back. Prune it back with a hand pruner anytime you see it. You don’t have to wait until winter or leaf drop. |
Look at Growth and Leaf Color
Fruit tree fertilizer is applied in the early
spring, usually once a year. Unless the soil is very, very, sandy, once a year
application of a fruit tree fertilizer is usually often enough. Use the rate on
the fertilizer bag as the maximum rate to apply. If applying twice a year,
divide the rate on the bag in half. Apricots when young should get an average growth of 18 inches in a year. When it is mature maybe 8 to 12 inches of new growth each year.
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| Apricot leaves showing inter veinal necrosis…or leaf yellowing. Defintely needs some iron chelate applied in early spring. But what about the leaf cupping? Weed killers can cause the leaves to cup. So can excessive heat in the summer. |
Soil Improvement
Soil improvement may be needed also. Use
rich compost instead of a fertilizer. Never apply a fertilizer or rich compost closer
than 12 to 18 inches from the trunk. Both fertilizers and rich compost can
damage plants if applied too close. To be on the safe side, water the soil
immediately after the application of a fertilizer. Water “dilutes” fertilizer
and rich compost. Never apply compost or fertilizer near the trunk or main stem
of a plant.
When applying a rich compost, rake rock or
bark mulch away three feet from the trunk in all directions. Apply a thin layer
(1/4 inch) of rich compost, water it in and rerake the surface mulch back into
place. Do this once every year. If it is a nutrient issue from a lack of
fertilizer, you will see a change in the leaf color in about two weeks. This
color change will last months.
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| Apricot tree near a lawn but the roots can choose where to grow. Growth might not be enough. Check fruit production last year, fertilizer applications and soil improvement. |
Inspect Irrigation
Light green leaves can also be from either
drought or watering daily. First correct daily irrigations during the summer.
That’s a big no-no except for lawns, flower beds and areas for growing
vegetables. Big trees and shrubs can’t handle that. When watering, apply water
deeply to tall plants. If it calls for more continuous watering, increase the
size of the irrigated area under the tree. Apply water to at least half the
area under a plant.
If the leaf color is light green, it may
be a sign the tree is watered too often. Give the roots at least one day
between irrigations during the summer otherwise the roots may “drown”. This
gives the soil a chance to drain water and the roots to “breathe.”