China - 99 5. Spain - 150 10. Exports have doubled since 1988. 1-year wood and spurs are thin, twiggy. Leaves are cordate, with acute to acuminate tips, about 8 cm wide.
Fruit require thinning for optimal size and to prevent biennial bearing.
Fruits are spaced at 1.5 to 3 inches apart on stems. However, apricots are moderately tolerant of high soil pH and salinity, although intolerant of waterlogging. Climate - Apricot culture is most successful in mild, mediterranean climates where the danger of spring frost is limited, and disease pressure is low. Rainfall and high humidity during bloom or near harvest is harmful to apricots due to Sclerotinia and brown rot. Apricot seedlings are the most popular stock worldwide.