Most of my plantings of this tree are gone due to what appeared to be delayed graft incompatibility. Also when it is grown from seed spiny plants with ridiculous tiny flowers may result - I would definitely look for cutting raised (instead of grafted) stock of named horticultural clones, whenever possible.

During springs when brown rot is bad around here this species can be hit pretty hard - although it seems to come back well later, whereas Higan cherries affected during the same years may not always recover.

And for some reason when 'Matsubara Red' is planted in my area it soon slips into a state where only small flowers with gaps between the petals appear, as though adversely affected by our cool summers.

Yesterday I noticed a white flowered kind near me here was in bloom.

'Tojibari' is so spelled, extra fragrant and supposed to start blooming around Thanksgiving - but maybe it doesn't come out that early everywhere. Or every year.

I had never had a problem with black knot at my own farm until this year. The closest I had ever noticed it on any trees was many miles away. This winter I walked by my mumes, and they are absolutely eaten up with it! I guess I will have to remove every one of them (and very soon). None of the other Prunus species seems to have been hit, so far. (Knocking on my fake-wood computer desk).

Maybe you can make a new desk out of ume wood.

Is it normal for these to bloom this time of year?

'Matsubara Red' started in Feb. each year here (USDA 8), 'Peggy Clarke' came on a little later but the two did still end up with flowers out at the same time - early blooming plants may often be longer lasting in flower even than related kinds that bloom later in spring.

The answer to that depends on the location. I took this pic below @ Scott Arboretum (20 miles south of Philadelphia) today. You can see it is not as advanced as the others.

I don't know why I typed 'Tojibari' instead of 'Tojibai'. Anyway the key point was that - it being a Japanese name - wasn't spelled "Tohjibai", with an "h".

More apricots blooming today, this time from the federal agriculture research center in Beltsville MD which can be seen in the background. Here is 'Tama ume'

So pretty! Thanks so much for sharing with those of us who can't grow these.

NHBabs, you are quite welcome. Winter blooming trees are a real treat especially when they are fragrant like these.

Flowering apricot is usually grafted however sometimes those grafted trees are short-lived. They will make a better, stockier plant on their own roots.

My previous pic had rooted cuttings of 'Hanakami', here's one of them today.

I had to cut down my grafted 'Peggy Clarke', in full bloom cause it was time for me to have a bunch of branches chipped. They'd been accumulating. Fighting the rootstock had become a losing battle. No matter, I have a replacement from a bonsai nursery, on its own roots. (Ssshhhh, don't tell them I intend to plant it outside and not cripple it LOL)

Here's 'Peggy Clarke' last month. Flowers muted compared to previous years. Up and down temps not good for this species. Some flowers on this specimen are brown from freezing.

I got fruit on mine most years. Being near the chilly upper Bay keeps my spring temps from getting out of control. Sour tasting little things, but really not bad. The roasted kernels are tasty too, just don't eat too many.