Hunza apricots

[Green Aura]

Anyone ever tried growing these?

I've just seen an ad on fleabay for some seeds. They say that autumn is the best time to sow them. I'm toying with having a go and was going to buy them - then realised I have a jar full of the fruits so wondered if I could use these instead.

Does the stone needed cracking or removing? Or could I just plant whole dried apricots - any ideas?

I don't know how well they'd grow here - it's probably too low ( only a few feet above sea level) and too wet. But I wondered about donating a corner of the polytunnel. Other Prunus varieties grow really well - neighbours grow great peaches under glass.

[gregorach]

Not something I've ever done, but I believe the "pits" (stones) need to be stratified first, by placing them in damp sand and keeping them at a low temperature (but not freezing) for a couple of months.

A quick Google brings me this thread on GardenWeb, which may be of use.

[Green Aura]

Thanks Dunc. I must have googled something different cos I didn't come up with that link. I might just have a go. If you can bonsai them and still get fruit maybe you can keep them shrub size?

I'll keep you posted - if I remember in 45 years

[Millymollymandy]

Good luck Maggie!