Apricot leaf color issue - Ask Extension
Hello Wise Ag folks at MSU
My apricot trees/ bushes (2-3 years old) slow growing and the leaves tend to go red as indicated in the pictures. Is this ...
Knowledgebase
Apricot leaf color issue #753549
Asked June 02, 2021, 2:35 PM EDT
Hello Wise Ag folks at MSU
My apricot trees/ bushes (2-3 years old) slow growing and the leaves tend to go red as indicated in the pictures. Is this normal or a mineral issue. Water with well water and as per southeastern MI it has iron in the water. Or is the red leaf issue a stress response to dry conditions. When not raining I try to deep water once every 7-10 days. Any advice would be appreciated. Best, Jerry D. Sanders
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Reddish tint to new growth of apricot is fairly typical. I suspect that the nitrogen is a bit low as the growth seems a bit pale. Some stone fruit species will show reddish coloration, sometimes with shotholes under low nitrogen situations. Typically with nitrogen deficiency the older leaves will show more problems.
A soluble plant food watered in should show results in about 7 to 10 days. Typical rates are 1 tablespoon of a 20% nitrogen fertilizer per gallon of water.
Thank you greatly, I will try the nitrogen addition. JDS
