For many years now, I have been growing various vegetables as a hobby in my spare time, which is what ultimately led me to studying horticulture. I find it fascinating to watch as plants grow from seed to fruit and to then finally be able to make use of the literal fruits of my labour. Favourite fruit: Strawberries and cherries Favourite vegetable: Potatoes, tomatoes and garlic
The nectarine is closely related to the peach. We introduce the smooth mutation of the otherwise furry peaches and offer tips on growing, caring for and using the nectarine tree yourself.
If you want to harvest nectarines from your own nectarine tree from the garden, you do not necessarily need a greenhouse. In a sheltered location with plenty of sun, a juicy fruit will soon emerge from the magnificent nectarine blossom. The nectarine tree in a pot is also an option for cold winter regions and brings a touch of the Mediterranean to the terrace.
Growing nectarine trees from seeds can be an enjoyable gardening project that yields delicious fruit. With some simple steps, patience and care you can grow your own nectarine tree right in your backyard.
Overview
Nectarines are stone fruits closely related to peaches but with smooth skin. They can be grown in many temperate climates and produce lovely pinkish-red fruits with sweet white flesh.
While nectarines are commonly grafted for commercial orchards, you can certainly grow them from seed at home. Here’s an overview of the process:
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Collect and dry fresh nectarine pits. Letting them dry for a few weeks improves germination.
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Cold stratify the pits by placing them in a refrigerated jar of damp soil for 2-4 months. This mimics winter dormancy and helps crack the hard shell.
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Check regularly and plant sprouted pits in starter pots once they form rootlets. Use a well-draining potting mix.
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Grow the seedlings indoors initially. Gradually harden them off and transplant outside into the garden after 12-18 months.
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Nectarines take 3-4 years to begin fruiting. Once mature, they produce abundant crops of nectarines in summer.
With attentive care and optimal conditions, you can enjoy homegrown nectarines within a few years by starting with seeds.
Choosing and Preparing Seeds
The first step is collecting nectarine pits from fruits you enjoy eating. Farmers markets can be a good source for heirloom varieties. Local trees also offer seeds well-adapted to your climate.
After removing the flesh, rinse and dry the pits at room temperature for 2-4 weeks. The seed inside needs to be very dry before cold stratifying. Discard any moldy or damaged pits.
You can also crack the pits carefully to remove the inner seeds. Use a hammer or pliers to lightly crack the shell without damaging the seed. This helps improve germination rates later on.
Cold Stratification
Nectarine seeds require a period of cold, moist conditions before they will sprout – a process called stratification. This mimics natural winter conditions and prepares the seeds to germinate in spring.
To stratify your pits, place them in a jar, small container, or zip-top bag filled 1/3 of the way with slightly damp potting mix or vermiculite. The media should be moist but not soggy. Seal and refrigerate for 8-16 weeks.
Check your seeds periodically. Sprouted seeds will form a small white rootlet. Carefully plant sprouted seeds in starter pots once the rootlet emerges. You can continue stratifying the remainder until sprouted.
Potting and Growing Seedlings
Use small 3-4 inch starter pots filled with a well-draining potting mix. Gently firm the sprouted seed 1 inch deep, with the rootlet facing downwards. Water gently and place in a sunny window or under grow lights.
Initially the seedlings need warm indoor conditions around 70°F. As they become established, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions to harden off over a week or two.
Transplant into 1-2 gallon containers once roots fill the starter pots. Use an organic fruit tree fertilizer to feed them monthly. When 12-18 inches tall, they can be planted outdoors in prepared garden beds.
Protect young trees from harsh weather the first year or two. They will be ready for full sun exposure once established. Fruiting generally begins in years 3-4.
Caring for Nectarine Trees
Here are some tips for ongoing care of your nectarine trees:
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Water regularly, but avoid overwatering. Deep weekly soakings are better than frequent shallow watering.
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Use organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Avoid mulch touching the trunk.
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Prune annually in early spring to shape and improve fruiting and airflow.
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Thin developing fruit clusters to 4-6 inches apart to size up the remaining nectarines.
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Harvest ripe fruits gently by twisting and lifting upwards to avoid bruising. Enjoy fresh or preserve them.
With attentive care and optimal growing conditions, your garden-grown nectarine tree will provide abundant fruit for years to come. The rewards of biting into a sun-ripened nectarine from your own backyard are well worth the initial time and care.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Here are some potential issues and solutions to be aware of:
Seeds failing to sprout: Ensure pits were fully dried and chilled for at least 2 months. Try fresh pits.
Poor seedling growth: Increase light exposure, avoid overwatering, and use a complete organic fertilizer.
Leaf curl: This fungal disease causes distorted leaves. Improve airflow and prune affected parts. Use a fungicide if severe.
Aphids or mites: These sap-sucking insects cause curled leaves. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control.
Splitting fruit: This happens from uneven watering. Maintain steady soil moisture before harvest.
Rotting fruit: Pick ripe fruit promptly. Improve airflow. Remove fallen fruits to discourage pests.
Growing nectarine trees from the seed found in their pits is a rewarding gardening project. With proper care you can produce an abundant harvest of sweet, juicy nectarines within a few years. The simple process of cold stratification, attentive seedling care, and providing optimal conditions will yield great results.
Growing nectarine trees in pots
The nectarine tree can also be planted in a pot. This way, you can vary the location and thus meet the needs of the plant in summer and winter. In addition, the nectarine tree can be kept small by limiting the root space.
Always choose a pot with a capacity of at least 30 litres for fruit trees. Use a nutrient-rich, structurally stable, well-drained and slightly acidic soil. To prevent the potting soil from slumping after a short time, it should be mixed with one-third crushed expanded clay – this will prevent oxygen deficiency at the root. Even when growing in a pot, it is advisable to tie the small tree so that it grows safely. However, a saucer is not recommended, as waterlogging should be avoided. Alternatively, you can use gravel, expanded clay or pumice to create a drainage layer at least 5 cm thick in the tub. You can therefore also enjoy your little tree on the balcony or terrace.
Tip: Fruit trees in pots particularly need annual nutrient applications. The substrate available to them will soon no longer contains sufficient nutrients, especially with strong growth and vigorous fruiting. It is best to use a complete fertiliser such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food, which, in addition to the main nutrients, also provides many trace nutrients and develops a natural long-term effect. The nutrient elements therefore remain available to plants for a longer period of time, thus guaranteeing an optimum supply of nutrients.
Even outdoors, a suitable location for the nectarine is sunny, warm and sheltered. Once you have found such a place, you can start planting. The best time for this is spring, between March and April.
To do this, dig a planting hole, which should be twice the diameter and the same depth as the root ball of the tree. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the dug hole. Generously spread mature compost or a high-quality potting soil, such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost, into the planting hole to help the tree get started in its new location. Our compost is produced sustainably and without the addition of animal ingredients. It provides nutrients from organic fertilisers for several months. It is best to thoroughly mix the planting soil with the existing soil. Nectarines tend to love dry and well-drained soil. Heavily humic or excessively heavy, clay-like soils should in any case be mixed with at least 30% sand. Before placing the sapling in the ground, scratch the roots a little and loosen the root ball. This stimulates the roots to grow again, which is beneficial for growing. The injury stimulates the roots to branch via plant hormones. The resulting fine adventitious roots are particularly important for supplying the tree. Be sure to water regularly in the first year. A watering ring is ideal for this purpose, which you can model from the excavated soil at the time of planting.
It is also advisable to keep a homegrown or small tree in a container at first, and only plant it in the open ground after two years. Pruning is beneficial for the nectarine tree: we explain in more detail below.
A support stake is usually driven in the direction from which the most wind is expected to blow, to protect the tree from moving too much or even falling over. The connection should be about a hand’s width below the crown base. Tying up the tree also has the important purpose of preserving the fine roots by reducing strong movement above-ground.
Tip: You can also plant the nectarine tree in a greenhouse or put the pot in there. This protects the tree from late frosts and accommodates its need for warmth. After mid-May, you can plant the tree outside with a clear conscience, and with sufficient heat, you can expect a long-lasting harvest.
Nectarine tree: origin, properties and flowering time
Since the nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is a subspecies of the peach (Prunus persica), its origin can be traced to the Asian region. As the species name “persica” indicates, the first cultivations took place in Persia. Nowadays, the main growing areas are in Italy, Spain, Greece and France. However, nectarines are also grown commercially in this country, especially in southern Germany and the Altes Land. So it is an obvious choice to grow the sometimes slightly sour fruits in your own garden.
Depending on the weather, the tree blooms between March and April for about a week. The flowers are white to pale pink and thus resemble those of the peach. A noticeable peculiarity can be seen in the buds here: the nectarine tree forms triple buds in the optimum case. This means that one flower bud is accompanied by two vegetative accessory buds. Only this constellation results in large and healthy fruits, because the outer buds develop into leaves during the growing season, which supply the associated fruit with energy through photosynthesis.
How To Grow Nectarine Tree from Seed: Nectarine Seed Germination
FAQ
How long does it take to grow nectarines from seed?
Can I grow a nectarine tree from a nectarine pit?
over 8 years ago. The answer to this is YES. You can successfully grow a nectarine seedling from the seed of a nectarine fruit.
What two fruits are crossed to make a nectarine?
A nectarine is not a hybrid of anything – it is merely a smooth-skinned peach. They’ve been cultivated as long as furry peaches.
Are nectarines hard to grow?
To most people, Nectarine trees look identical to peach trees, but they grow more slowly due to the plum genetics, and tend to be less vigorous. That means they require less pruning, and generally produce fewer blossoms and fruit.