Tropic Gold Apricot
Prunus armeniaca ‘Tropic Gold’
Tropic Gold Apricot
Status: Active
Location: Chesed Ranch Orchard
Current Location: Nursery Establishment Area
Permanent Location: Row 1 – Tree 5
Planted: 2026
Source: Ty Ty Nursery
Tree ID: CR-APR-002
A New Beginning
Unlike Garden Annie, which earned its place through perseverance and recovery, Tropic Gold begins its journey at Chesed Ranch with a clean slate.
Purchased as a bare-root tree in 2026, Tropic Gold arrived during dormancy and was immediately placed into a 30-gallon nursery container using a custom potting mix designed to encourage strong root development. The tree will remain in the nursery until it breaks dormancy and demonstrates active growth before being moved to its permanent location in the orchard.
Its arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the apricot collection at Chesed Ranch.
For years, apricots have been one of our favorite fruits, whether enjoyed fresh out of hand or preserved for later as dried fruit. Having the opportunity to grow not one, but two apricot varieties is something we have looked forward to for a long time.
Expanding the Apricot Collection
Apricots are not commonly grown in North Florida, which makes them particularly interesting additions to the orchard.
While Garden Annie represents resilience and recovery, Tropic Gold provides an opportunity to evaluate a second variety under the same growing conditions. Together, the two trees will help us better understand how apricots perform on our property and which characteristics are best suited to our climate.
As the trees mature, we hope to compare growth habits, bloom timing, fruit quality, production, and overall adaptability.
Quick Facts
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Apricot |
| Variety | Tropic Gold |
| Chill Requirement | Approximately 300 Hours |
| Pollination | Self-Fertile |
| Harvest Season | Late Spring to Early Summer |
| Flesh Color | Golden Orange |
| Fruit Use | Fresh Eating & Drying |
| Growth Habit | Medium Sized Tree |
Why We Chose Tropic Gold
The answer is simple.
We love apricots.
Fresh apricots are difficult to find locally, and quality dried apricots have always been a favorite in our household. When the opportunity arose to add a second apricot variety to the orchard, it was an easy decision.
Tropic Gold’s reputation as a low-chill apricot capable of producing fruit in warmer climates made it a natural choice for North Florida. By planting multiple varieties, we hope to improve pollination opportunities, extend harvest potential, and learn more about apricot production under our specific growing conditions.
Most importantly, we’re excited about the possibility of harvesting our own apricots in the years ahead.
Tree Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Planting Date | 2026 |
| Initial Form | Bare Root |
| Current Container | 30 Gallon |
| Permanent Orchard Location | Row 1 – Tree 5 |
| Mulch Type | Arborist Wood Chip Mulch |
| Irrigation | Nursery Care / Drip Planned |
| Soil Type | Custom Establishment Mix |
| Mycorrhizae Applied | Yes |
Location in Orchard
📍 Orchard Map
Row 1 – Tree 5
(Currently establishing in the nursery before permanent planting.)
Annual Growth Log
2026
Planting Date
2026
Observations
- Arrived as a dormant bare-root tree from Ty Ty Nursery.
- Planted into a 30-gallon nursery container.
- Custom soil mix used to encourage root establishment.
- Awaiting bud break and emergence from dormancy.
- Permanent orchard planting planned following successful establishment.
Photos
2027
Winter Chill
Chesed Ranch: TBD Hours
Regional Average: TBD Hours
Bloom Date
TBD
Fruit Set
TBD
Harvest
TBD
Comments
TBD
Weather & Climate Summary
Season Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Chill Hours | TBD |
| Rainfall | TBD |
| Last Freeze | TBD |
| Peak Summer Temperature | TBD |
| Growing Degree Days | TBD |
Performance at Chesed Ranch
Strengths
- Low-chill apricot variety
- Excellent fresh eating potential
- Well suited for drying
- Self-fertile
- Expands orchard diversity
Challenges
- Apricots remain uncommon in North Florida
- Long-term adaptability still being evaluated
- Monitoring bloom timing and late freeze risk
Overall Assessment
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An exciting addition to the orchard and the beginning of Chesed Ranch’s apricot trial.
Related Resources
UF/IFAS Publications
- Low-Chill Stone Fruit Production
- Home Fruit Production in Florida
Related Trees
- Garden Annie Apricot
- Flordaking Peach
- TropicSweet Peach
- Arbequina Olive