Gushan Apricot Plum

Gushan Apricot Plum

　　　　Gushan Apricot Plum gets its name from its origin in Dagushan Town, Donggang City, Liaoning Province. Known for its large size, it is also locally called “Big Apricot Plum.” It has over 100 years of cultivation history. Currently, there are more than 2,000 Gushan Apricot Plum trees in Donggang City, with peak yields reaching 40,000–50,000 jin, making it one of Liaoning’s famous fruits.

　　Every year during the harvest season from July to August, many domestic and international customers come specifically to purchase them.

　　In recent years, due to increasing demand, farmers in Gushan have started selling the fruit fresh off the tree.

　　The Gushan Apricot Plum is large in size, with a small pit and thick flesh. The average fruit weighs 76 grams, with the largest reaching up to 105 grams. The skin is yellow with a red blush. The flesh is tender, juicy, sweet and tangy, and of excellent quality. In addition to being eaten fresh, it can also be processed into canned fruit. In recent years, small quantities have been exported and have been well received in both domestic and international markets.

　　The Gushan Apricot Plum has strong resistance to adverse conditions, as well as good disease resistance and cold tolerance. Its yield is relatively stable with little variation between abundant and lean years. It thrives in loose, well-aerated soil with active microbial activity and moderate moisture and nutrients. The tree’s branches and leaves resemble those of an apricot tree. The tree is robust, with 17-year-old trees reaching about 5 meters in height. Gushan Apricot Plum trees begin to bear fruit five years after planting and reach full production at around 15 years old. The average yield per tree is about 150 jin, with the highest yielding trees producing over 300 jin.

　　Gushan Apricot Plums in Donggou County bloom at the end of April to early May and ripen in mid- to late July. One variety can even ripen as late as early August, hitting the market during the off-season for fruit and thus becoming very popular among consumers.

　　The self-pollination rate of Gushan Apricot Plum is relatively low, so it is advisable to plant pollinator trees alongside it. Implementing manual assisted pollination can significantly improve fruit set rates. Scientific pruning and enhanced fertilization and management are also effective measures for increasing yield.