HAROGEM apricot

🍑 Harogem Apricot Tree

• Name
• Prunus armeniaca ‘Harogem’
• Origin
• Canadian selection, Harrow Research Station, Ontario. Created in 1979.
• Parents
• Cross between ‘Rouge de Roussillon’ × NJA2 (1969) according to some sources.

🌿 Tree description

• Vigor: medium to strong, fairly upright growth habit.

• Flowering: white flowers in spring.

• Self-fertile: self-pollinating, but production can be improved with other apricot trees nearby.

🍏 Fruit

• Size/shape: medium to small fruit, oblong to slightly flattened.

• Skin: bright orange background with a nice red blush over much of the fruit.

• Flesh: orange, firm, juicy, sweet, good texture.

• Pit: freestone (the pit separates easily from the flesh).

🕒 Maturity/Harvest

• Harvest period: mid-July in southern Ontario.

• Some sources place it as late/moderately late, very similar to varieties such as ‘Bergeron’.

❄️ Hardiness / Climate conditions

• USDA zones: approximately 4b to 8 depending on the nursery.

• Extreme temperatures tolerated: flowers can withstand temperatures around -27°C (zone 5b) without too much damage, and branches up to around -34°C according to some sources.

• Sensitivities: less hardy than some very robust varieties according to Kraus, particularly more susceptible to bacterial spot in humid climates.

✅ Strengths

• Very good taste, nice texture, visually appealing fruit.

• Good productivity, consistent yield.

• Resistance to certain diseases such as perennial canker and brown rot in good conditions.

⚠️ Limitations/challenges

• In very cold areas or late springs, buds or flowers may be affected by frost despite its good hardiness.

• Possible susceptibility to bacterial spot if the summer is wet or there is frequent rain.

• Fruiting depends on good sunlight and well-drained soil.

• Thinning is recommended to avoid overproduction and ensure good fruit size.