Sugar Pearls sells out every year you would think they would plant more. Send me an e-mail I'll mail you a couple SP scions to graft.

garedneck,
Sorry to hear bout your order confirmation problem on the Sugar Pearls. I think I may have lucked out last spring by receiving them on my first try. I too, ordered them way in advance. I was also wondering on the taste/flavor of the Sugar Pearl Apricot, if anyone might have that oppinion to share, so as to compare with the Henry Field's/Gurney's catalogues heavenly hype.

Are Guerney's and Henry Fields tied in together I wonder? Their catalogue descriptions seem to often closely mimic each other. I see they also are both located in Indiana. Heck, I just now noticed that even their order numbers are the same ~ so their ya go!

I have two SP trees planted just last spring. But I am z4, so with this winters' whacked out weather, I may never personaly find out about the fruit. I know ~ they were definitely a bit of a longshot to begin with! But I did trial the wilt proof anti-desicant on them late last fall, so maybe their is still a slight glimmer of hope. With any luck, I MAY have some scion prospects at some point in the future, but to soon to make any promises at this time.

Henry Fields catalogue claims "... Sugar Pearls blooms much later than all other apricot varieties...", So that is what made me think what the heck, give them a try (with fingers crossed of course). I wonder what other z4 hardy cot varieties are late enuff bloomers to combine with my SP's?

~q3~

Gurney's and Henry Field are both part of the Gardens Alive consortium out of Indiana. This outfit sells under a number of other names as well. Go to gardenwatchdog.com for a complete explanation of this -- look under the tab labeled "who owns who" or something to that effect.

Also, they don't sell actually sell any of these fruit trees and plants -- they are just ordertakers. All of the stock actually comes from Stark Brothers -- just look at your shipping label, and you will see that all of the shipments originate in the town of Louisiana, Missouri, which is the homebase of Stark Brothers.

As to why they can't fill their orders - who knows - crop failure, incompetence, intentional shortages to keep demand and prices high -- your guess is as good as mine.

Surprise, surprise, surprise. Been there, done that. Yes, Gurney's and Henry Fields are the same. We've ordered from them before and had been told the items were sold out and they sent substitutes. This year I also ordered Sugar Pearls, but from Henry Fields and told them no subs and I wanted a refund if they didn't have them. The refund policies differ between the two, Gurney's gives a credit while supposedly Henry Fields will give a refund.
Hopefully the trees are worthy of the hype. I have read where some of the apricots out of Afghanistan are supposed to be late bloomers with very high sugar content but thought they would be in circulation if they were that good.
Didn't realize they were also with Stark's, thanks for that info.

Jake

Garedneck, you've never heard about Garden Watchdog? I would highly recommend checking all suppliers out through them before ordering. You can save yourself lots of heartache and money. Gurney's has an awful reputation so it's no surprise at all when they mess up (once again).

There are many other suppliers out there with great reputations.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sources for Fruit Trees and Plants

Great list brandon7 and very fair.

I tried to add a like to The Garden Watchdog but GardenWeb blocked me siting it as spam.

Another good site to check is daves garden.
It offers information and checks on various places to order from as well as some information wher you can specific plants. I don't know if they cover everything or not but it has come in handy for me several times.

Cdonaghe, Garden Watchdog is the name of the feature you are describing on the Dave's Garden.

I did email one of the Gurney botanists last year about the SP apricots and she had verified eating some and that the advertising description was accurate and that I would love the tree!

Thank you for your help. I have emailed stark brothers to see if they will sell one (if they have it) although i didn't see anything on the standard website or commercial catalog. Gurneys/HF are the only place i have seen the tree offered so I have to live with the rating. I guess it is such a new product nobody from garden web has had a crop yet.

While I like adventure, I guess it is not a safe time to fly to the region of the world where this tree was discovered : ) (afghanistan, turkey, etc.)

Gurneys customer service emailed back that they now had some in stock for spring delivery, and I could order one! And in todays mail was a Gurney refund check for the recently cancelled order made last year! If I have a tree in ground by the end of March I will be happy and even happier if I get fruit in 2 years!

Stark Brothers didn't have the sugar pearls on either their residential or commercial site, but I spoke with Stark Brothers Wholesale 800 435-8733 who could sell me 100 of them within 2 years or less for under $10/ea. They probably supply Gurneys as was suggested by the previous poster (thanks).

I too am not receiving the Sugar Pearls tree that I ordered. I was hoping to get it since I've tried 2 years in a row now...
I found a link to the patent for Sugar Pearls apricot. It's a Rutgers University creation.

Here is a link that might be useful: Patent info for Sugar Pearls apricot

I've had it for several years now. I've not found it blooms any later than Jerseycot. The spring frosts have frozen out apricots for several years here. Because it has never had to sustain any fruit load, it has grown quite rapidly. It's also on Lovell which has an invigorating effect on apricots, vs. Manchurian.

Hi All,
Just got my postcard from Henry Fields, it said they were sold out. I ordered mine in Dec. This is the second time I tried. Getting tired of the run around from these guys. Thanks for the posts everyone.

Jake

I had the same experience last year with Gurneys/Henry Fields, so then I ordered one in the middle of summer for fall planting. That way I got a tiny, potted plant. Fall is not a recommended time for planting here, but I figure with a lifetime guarantee, I have nothing to lose. Because of that guarantee, I keep ordering from Gurneys/Henry Fields. Other places may have great stock, but most only have a one-year guarantee. Yes, Gurneys/Henry Fields/Gardens Alive are all one somehow. They even told me that over the phone.
Northwoodswis

olpea would you consider selling me a cutting form Sugar pearl apricot Ursula

I have a Sugar Pearls purchased from Henry Fields three years ago. It is barely six feet tall. It produced only 1 apricot this year, and I shared it with my wife. It was indeed juicy, sweet and delicious. That one solitary fruit was well worth the wait. A $50 apricot...who would have thought. I too have been trying to buy more of these trees with no luck. My orders are always paid for and I always get my money returned with no tree being sent.