Nectarine
October 22, 2016
I planted a nectarine tree about nine years ago. I have never been able to prune it
because it starts to bloom every October and again in February. We had a tree load
of nectarines four years after it was planted. Then nothing until this last summer.
The tree was loaded again. But the fruits do not get as large as the ones in the
stores but juicy and sweeter. I don't know if it is because we never could prune
it because it never went dormant. I think maybe the main tree has died and these
are just sprouts off of the tree. What can we do to get it to bear every year and
when is a good time to prune it? I pruned a nectarine tree once when it had a broken
limb but the tree died.
All fruit trees need to be pruned every year, nectarines no exception. The fall blooms
are just a few errant flowers that are confused. The main pruning should be done before
it begins to bloom in the spring which is from where the fruits will set. Normally
late February is the time to prune. Nectarines are pruned very similarly to peaches.
Thin out some of the excess branches and keep it a manageable height to manage harvest.
Proper pruning may reduce the number of fruits that set, but will actually increase
the size and quality of the fruits.
(February 2005)
Can you tell us the name of a fruit tree spray that would work for nectarines, peaches
and Italian Plums? Last year we had a lot of mold on our fruit, and we would like
to do a better job this year.
Your best bet is to look for a complete home fruit orchard spray. Many brand names
are available. Be sure to read the label and make sure it says it is for diseases
and insects, since you need both insecticides and fungicides to have clean fruit.
Having it pre-mixed makes it easier. Begin the spray schedule when two-thirds of
the flower petals fall and repeat every two to three weeks throughout the season.
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