Reading some of these replies on this thread, I am surprised that people
do not make distinctions about different varieties of apricots. Like
any other plant, there are types which can be bred to be cold tolerant.
To say one has had bad experiences with apricots does not have
meaning unless you tell us which variety was planted. I have not heard
Robert's talk yet, but I believe he has developed at least 7 new kinds
of
cold tolerant apricots. What happens to less tolerant apricots is that
the cold and wind of the winter kills the buds. Of course, if the
blossoms come out and then there is a frost, it will probably kill any
kind of blossom.

Sherwin D.

Sherwin Dubren wrote:

Anyone interested in how to grow Apricots in zones 4 & 5 might be
interested in attending a lecture on that topic by a Master Gardener
named
Robert Purvis. He now works for the USDA as an agricultural
statistician.
He has a 243 tree hobby orchard he maintains at his home in Yakima and
is
currently concentrating on 7 apricot varieties for zone 4 hardy types.
The lecture is being held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, just north of
the City of Chicago, on Sunday, February 22, 2004, at 1:30 PM.
Admission
to the lecture is free, but there is a charge for parking. Members of
the
Chicago Botanic Garden or the Morton Arboretum can park for free. The
event is being sponsored be the Midwest Fruit Explorers (MidFex).
MidFex
is asking people to contact them in advance, so they can arrange for the
proper amount of seating space. They will also answer any specific
questions you may have. Send confirmations and queries to: