Nectarines

Nectarines are self-fruitful, so they do not need a pollinator.

Care of Nectarine Trees  

Pruning: Nectarine trees need to be pruned to get sunlight onto all branches. Thus it is important to develop a modified central-leader scaffold well spaced around the trunk horizontally and vertically with upward-sloping limbs 45° to 60° from horizontal. This builds a strong infrastructure for holding the fruit and helps give sunlight access to lower limbs. Removing crossing branches or preventing them will get sun to the branches too. In addition, removing or heading back interior branches that go up vertically from the scaffold will increase light penetration. Finally, trees (not bushes) will produce little if any fruit on branches growing downward. These downward hangers should be removed.

Planting: Plant the bare root tree as soon as possible and it is very important to never let the roots get dried out before planting. The tree needs to be planted 8' to 10' from the nearest tree. They can be planted closer, but there will be very little room between trees, for the limb spread on nectarines is about 5' - 6'. Never plant the tree where water stands for more than a few hours after a rain, and select a mostly sunny spot. Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough to accommodate the root system. Spread the roots out. The graft, where the tree was grafted onto a hardy disease resistant variety, should be a couple of inches above the soil when you finish planting. Use existing soil only – no amendments. Water in well, and water every day for a few days unless it rains

Pests: Nectarine fruit can be infested with Plum Curculio. Check for a small half-moon cut on the fruit, and pull off those fruit. Dispose of the fruit. Most of these nectarines are very early producing and will likely avoid Plum Curculio, so it might not be a problem, but be diligent in pulling off fruit that is infected.

Varieties of Nectarines for the Houston Area Climate

Arctic Star Nectarine It has an exceptionally dark red exterior color and a snow-white interior flesh. Arctic Star is the earliest to ripen of the new, low acid, super sweet, white nectarines. Rave reviews in trial tasting. 300 chill hours. Self-fruitful.

Panament Attractive red-skinned yellow freestone. Aromatic, intensely flavored, nice acid-sugar balance. Dependable, long-time favorite in warm winter climates. 250 chill hours. Self-fruitful.

Snow Queen Nectarine Great white fleshed freestone of legendary status. So fragile that it melts in your mouth. Some resistance to plum curculio and black spot. Ripens in late May. 250-300 chill hours.

Sunracer Nectarine Is a yellow-fleshed nectarine. Semi-clingstone with well shaped large sized fruit. Good skin color and non-browning flesh. Good flavor and high resistance to bacterial spot. Self-fruitful.