the closely related Prunus sibirica (Siberian apricot; hardy to -50 °C but with less palatable fruit) offers options for breeding more cold-tolerant plants. Apricots prefer well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Apricot cultivars are usually grafted onto plum or peach rootstocks. The cultivar scion provides the fruit characteristics, such as flavor and size, but the rootstock provides