{"product_id":"3rd-and-myrtle-apricot","title":"3rd and Myrtle Apricot (Bundle of 2)","description":"\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eLook how orange those apricots are from the mother tree — no filter on the photo! These are seedlings from a very tasty, 40-year-old tree growing in Missoula, Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBred for Cold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese seedlings have been specifically selected for cold hardiness using Luke’s “Antifreeze Protein Selection” method. This process involves:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eCold stratifying seeds by deliberately freezing and thawing them\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003ePlanting only the seeds that survive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eExposing young trees (in pots) to natural freezing and thawing conditions without protection the following winter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis 2-year process mimics the natural resistance found in native species like chokecherry and serviceberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSurvivor Stock: Zone 3 Apricots\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAfter extensive culling at the seed and one-year juvenile stages, these apricot trees — now going into their third year — have proven to be strong survivors. Their roots have withstood temperatures of -25°F or colder without any protection, making them ideal for colder climates. We are confidently listing these as Zone 3 hardy apricots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFruit Qualities\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor: Mellow sweetness that comes on later, with a sweet-tart balance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eUse: Excellent for fresh eating, drying, canning, and more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSize \u0026amp; Color: Fruit measures approximately 1¾ inches, turning a deep, dark orange — another major bonus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eMissoula is technically in USDA Zone 5, though we can see temperatures close to -30°F due to advective freezes. Our diverse, mountainous landscapes cause unpredictable early-season cold snaps (sometimes -10°F in October). We do not use controlled crosses but instead allow nature to select for resilience:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSeeds are frozen and thawed during stratification\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFirst-year seedlings are left unprotected over winter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSurvivors are selected for root resistance to ice recrystallization\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThis method favors trees that naturally express antifreeze proteins — compounds found in many overwintering plants that inhibit the growth and recrystallization of intercellular ice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis year's selection includes grafted stock from some of the best performers. So these are not seedlings, but rather grafted trees in which we used cuttings from the best performing seedlings.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"3rd and Myrtle\/Manchurian: 3-5 ft.","offer_id":45124629463106,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3rd and Myrtle\/Manchurian: 5-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for shipping)","offer_id":45124629495874,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/Screenshot_2023-11-15_at_11.41.42_E2_80_AFAM_4e6b0914-69c6-4f84-972b-5d56f81ea771.webp?v=1758770066","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/products\/3rd-and-myrtle-apricot","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}