I planted 2 Nectarines last fall they are just starting to leaf out, and have a few blooms on them getting ready to open. Most Nectarines are self fertile, meaning they will pollinate themselves, however some do require a 2nd
tree of a different type of Nectarine to set fruit- or at least set a better crop. Nectarines are peaches without the fuzz. You grow them the same as Peaches. Fruit bears on limbs that are one year old (the following year after
growing)- so pruning is a must as with peaches. You want to prune a nectarine to an open center/vase type, meaning that you prune out the braches that grow towards the center of the
tree. This will allow maximum sunlight penetration and will set bigger, sweeter, and better fruit. You need to prune out old woody limbs once the
tree grows its structural/supporting limbs as those do not bear fruit.
plant in Full sun- not partial shade areas! For sprays your first is Dormant oil spray (for any fruit
trees for that matter!) You use this in late winter while the
tree is dormant- before the
tree buds out. Do not use dormant oil spray after the
tree leaves out- it will damage foliage, and fruit. For other sprays I use Bonide fruit
tree spray which is both a pesticide, and fungicide which will reduce diseases. There is a spray schedule, as well as mix ratios on the bottle- it differs from some of the other fruit
trees, but just follow it. A good practice is to pick up any fallen fruit and get rid of it (this goes for ANY fruit
tree) as it usally harbors insect/pest larvae, and leaving the fruit on the ground will restart the life cycle of pests. In the fall rake up all fallen leaves and get rid of it- do not mulch with it as it can restart life cycles of diseases the following year! Some people even get rid of the mulch around the
tree in fall, and lay down new mulch!
I planted a Mericrest, which is supposed to be a very cold hardy Nectarine- its stated as the most hardiest of Nectarines, and is supposed to bear early in its life. The other cultivar is called Flavortop, it requires a 2nd type
tree for better fruit set.