Ottawa 3 Rootstock vs Capilano Apricot

Ottawa 3 Rootstock is the most dwarfing rootstock to come out of the cold-hardy breeding program by the Agricultural Canada Research Station in Ottawa. It produces dwarf to semi-dwarf trees that are 45-55% of standard size. Due to its superior hardiness, it is well adapted to Canadian weather conditions.

It originates from Malling 9 (M.9) and the Robin Crab and is considered more dwarfing than Malling 26 (M.26) and more vigorous than Malling 9. Ottawa 3 Rootstock is very productive and bears fruit early, often requiring structural support when young.

Capilano Apricot is a cold-hardy variety known for its sweet, juicy, full-flavored fruit. It produces white to pink blooms in early spring, before the leaves emerge, followed by golden-yellow, freestone apricots. They ripen from mid-July to early August and are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, wine, canning, and preserves.

The Capilano Apricot originated from three trees planted in Edmonton’s Capilano neighbourhood during the 1960s. As they began producing fruit, local fruit enthusiasts took notice and propagated the trees, with the southernmost becoming particularly popular. Though the original trees no longer exist, the Capilano Apricot remains a widely sought-after cold-hardy variety.

Capilano Apricot is generally considered self-pollinating, but planting with another variety for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Note: The early bloom time makes the flowers vulnerable to spring frosts, which can reduce or eliminate the fruit crop

Compare Ottawa 3 Rootstock with

Compare Capilano Apricot with