Technical sheet of the Winter Cot Apricot variety
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Fruit flesh color: Orange
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Skin color: Orange with a red cheek
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Size and Shape: Medium to Large (2A-3A)
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Tree size: Vigorous tree with good branching
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Fruit maturity: Approximately 15 days after Bergeron
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Fruit taste: Good taste quality (sweet and mild), juicy flesh
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Earliness of the variety: Late
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Fruiting period Late, depending on maturity
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Disease resistance and storage: Good on-tree and post-harvest resistance. Specific information on disease resistance is not mentioned.
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Variety yield: Good productivity
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Commercial use: Well suited to regions with cold winters due to its high winter cooling requirements and high altitude areas
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Comments: Very late flowering, which allows it to avoid spring frosts. Well suited to regions with cold winters and high altitude areas.
Quick read / the essentials on apricot Winter Cot
The Winter Cot apricot tree is a very late-flowering French variety, developed by COT International to meet the constraints of cold and high-altitude areas. Ideal for producers wishing to protect their flowering against spring frosts and extend their marketing season, this variety is distinguished by a harvest between late July and mid-August, one of the latest in the French tree calendar. With a 2A-3A size fruit, round, orange and enhanced with a red cheek, the Winter Cot apricot displays an attractive visual presentation, coupled with firm, sweet and mild flesh, perfect for fresh sale or processing.
Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , offers this robust and self-fertile variety with tailor-made support. Thanks to excellent post-harvest performance and good tolerance to difficult climatic conditions (drought, frost), it is perfectly suited to continental climate zones. You can buy Winter Cot apricot plants by benefiting from our expertise in the choice of rootstock (Montclar, GF 677, Rootpac, etc.) and planting advice. Its vigor and regular production capacity make Winter Cot a reliable and profitable diversification solution.
Are you looking for a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants to add this variety to your orchard? Trust Arboriverse to purchase Winter Cot apricot plants with complete peace of mind. Thanks to our network and field expertise, we support you every step of the way: from selection to planting, including technical monitoring. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , does everything possible to ensure the success of your plantations.
Origin and varietal development
The Winter Cot apricot tree is a French variety developed by COT International, a varietal breeding company based in the Gard region. It was designed to meet the needs of producers looking for a late-ripening, hardy variety suited to sometimes challenging climatic conditions, particularly in high-altitude areas or areas with cold winters. This technical orientation makes it a strategic choice for extending the production season.
Flowering and harvest period
Winter Cot is distinguished by its very late flowering, occurring well after that of classic varieties like Bergeron. This characteristic is a major asset in regions subject to spring frosts, as it considerably reduces the risk of flower destruction. The harvest, also late, occurs approximately 15 days to three weeks after that of Bergeron, generally between late July and mid-August. This positions Winter Cot as one of the last varieties to be harvested in the French calendar, allowing producers to extend the marketing of apricots to the end of the season.
Description of the fruit
The Winter Cot fruit has a round shape and a medium to large size, classified in 2A-3A. Its skin is orange in color, marked by a more or less intense red cheek depending on the exposure. The flesh, also orange, is firm, sweet and mild. The taste qualities are unanimously recognized as very good, which makes the fruit perfectly suited to fresh consumption. It is also possible to consider its use in processing, particularly for jams or compotes.
Post-harvest and transportability
The fruits exhibit excellent shelf life both on the tree and after harvest. The hardy skin is resistant to rain and post-harvest handling. This mechanical strength facilitates transport and storage, which is an important logistical advantage for extensive distribution channels.
Tree behavior
The Winter Cot tree exhibits significant vigor and good branching. These structural characteristics facilitate orchard management and allow for a balanced distribution of fruiting. Although the adult height is not precisely documented for this variety, it can be estimated to be between 4 and 6 meters under standard conditions, in line with the average observed for apricot trees. No particular staking requirements are noted, but it is still recommended to support young trees during their establishment to promote good anchoring.
Fertility and pollen compatibility
Winter Cot is a self-fertile variety. It therefore does not require the presence of another pollinator to ensure fruit set. However, as is often the case in fruit growing, cross-pollination with other compatible varieties can improve yield, although it is not essential.
Resistances and sensitivities
Although no specific data are available regarding its disease or pest resistance, the variety benefits from very late flowering, which helps protect production against spring frosts. Apricot trees in general are susceptible to root asphyxiation; it is therefore advisable to plant Winter Cot on well-drained soils. The variety also appears to tolerate drought well, which is an advantage in a context of climate change. Regarding limestone, no marked sensitivity has been reported. Winter Cot thus falls into the group of robust and adaptable varieties.
Rootstocks and soil adaptation
Although no rootstock is directly recommended for Winter Cot in the sources consulted, it is reasonable to consider the usual references in France: Montclar, GF 677, Prunier Saint-Julien or Rootpac. The choice must be adapted to the type of soil and the climatic context of the farm. A prior soil analysis and consultation with a specialized nurseryman are strongly recommended.
Yield and production potential
The variety has good carrying potential and consistent productivity. Although no specific figures are mentioned in terms of kilograms per tree, feedback suggests balanced and stable fruit set. Production is mainly based on young wood and twigs, which requires appropriate cultural management, particularly in terms of pruning to renew the supporting organs.
Commercial valuation
Thanks to its taste and appealing visual appeal, Winter Cot is ideally suited to fresh sales. It is particularly popular in short supply chains, on farms or at markets. Its firmness also allows for a shift towards artisanal processing. Its place in the calendar makes it a distinctive product, ideal for complementing an existing range or meeting a specific demand at the end of summer.
Recommended implantation areas
Winter Cot is particularly well suited to cultivation in high-altitude areas and in regions with a continental climate, where late frosts can compromise other varieties. Conversely, it seems less suited to hot southern areas, particularly because its late flowering could interfere with summer heatwaves.
Technical perspectives
Introducing Winter Cot into a growing strategy requires local observation. Its late-maturing behavior requires specific planning of cultivation operations, from pruning to harvesting. However, its vigor and consistent production make it a prime candidate for farms looking to stand out with a robust, profitable, and high-quality variety.
To summarize: Winter Cot apricot tree
The Winter Cot apricot tree is positioned as an essential reference for arborists looking to extend their season until mid-August with a hardy and visually appealing variety. Its very late flowering is a real asset for avoiding losses linked to spring frosts, while its vigor and regular production guarantee long-term economic stability. The fruit, firm and tasty, is suitable for fresh marketing but also for outlets in artisanal processing. Winter Cot effectively promotes high-altitude areas and cooler terroirs.
With Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , you can benefit from a supply of certified plants, technical support and personalized monitoring. You can buy Winter Cot apricot plants, benefiting from rigorous selection and compatibility with the most widely used rootstocks in France. Thanks to its hardiness, floridity and good post-harvest behavior, this variety represents an excellent diversification lever for demanding producers.
If you're looking for a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , consider Arboriverse. Whether you're looking to integrate Winter Cot into an existing orchard or create a new plot suitable for the end of the season, we'll help you purchase Winter Cot apricot plants under the best possible conditions. Our position as a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants guarantees you quality plants, controlled inventory, and a service focused on the performance and sustainability of your operation.
