I have been growing different kinds of vegetables as a hobby in my spare time for a long time. This is what ultimately led me to study horticulture. Looking at plants grow from seeds to fruits is very interesting to me. I love being able to eat the fruits of my labor. Favourite fruit: Strawberries and cherries Favourite vegetable: Potatoes, tomatoes and garlic.
The nectarine is closely related to the peach. We talk about the smooth mutation of the normally furry peach and give you advice on how to grow, care for, and use your own nectarine tree.
There is no need for a greenhouse if you want to pick nectarines from your own nectarine tree in the garden. In a protected spot with lots of sun, the beautiful nectarine flower will soon give birth to a juicy fruit. If you live somewhere with cold winters, you could also try a nectarine tree in a pot. It will add a touch of the Mediterranean to your terrace.
Juicy, sweet nectarines are a summer delight. But did you know you can actually grow nectarine trees right from the seed? With a bit of knowledge and patience, it is possible to cultivate nectarines from seed to harvest. This comprehensive guide covers every step, from choosing viable seeds to caring for your homegrown nectarine tree.
Choosing Nectarine Seeds with Growing Potential
The first step is sourcing high-quality nectarine seeds that will germinate. Here are some tips
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Select seeds from ripe, undamaged nectarines. Avoid moldy or bruised fruit.
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For the best chance of viability, allow nectarines to fully ripen on the tree before harvesting seeds.
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Extract the flat, almond-shaped pit from the center of the nectarine and gently remove the outer husk.
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Inspect pits and select those that are plump and intact, avoiding any that are withered or cracked.
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Aim for organic, heirloom variety nectarines for the most vigorous seeds. Store pits in a cool, dry place until planting.
How to Germinate Nectarine Seeds
Once you have your seeds, it’s time to germinate them. Here is a step-by-step process:
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Carefully crack open the pit using pliers or a vise, removing the kernel within. Be sure not to damage the embryo.
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Place kernels between damp paper towels and put inside a sealed zipper bag. Refrigerate for 3-4 months of cold stratification.
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In spring, remove stratified kernels and soak in room temperature water for 24 hours before planting to trigger germination.
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Plant the kernels 1 inch deep in seed starting mix, water gently, and place in a bright, warm spot (70-80°F).
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Most kernels will sprout within 2-4 weeks. Transfer the seedlings to larger pots once the first true leaves emerge.
Caring for Young Nectarine Seedlings
These young nectarine trees need attentive care in their early stages:
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Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
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Use grow lights or a sunny windowsill to ensure seedlings get 14-16 hours of daily light.
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Feed with a diluted organic fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
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Monitor closely for pests like aphids and diseases like powdery mildew.
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As plants get larger, repot into incrementally bigger containers with drainage holes.
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In 6-12 months, hardened off seedlings can be transplanted outside into prepared garden beds once frost risk has passed.
Growing a Productive Nectarine Tree
To maximize your chance of success, provide optimal care as your nectarine tree matures:
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Prune trees annually in early spring to encourage an open, vase-shaped form, allowing light penetration.
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Water mature trees 1-2 times per week during dry periods, aiming for 1-2 inches of water.
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Fertilize each spring before flowering and again once fruit sets using a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Remove any diseased or damaged wood promptly. Disinfect pruning tools regularly.
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Install trellising or support structures to accommodate the tree’s growth habit.
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Protect developing fruit from birds and pests using netting or organic sprays as needed.
When Do Nectarine Trees Bear Fruit from Seed?
Patience is key when growing nectarines from seed. Here is an overview of when you can expect fruit:
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Most nectarine trees will flower within 2-4 years after germination, but this varies.
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Do not allow trees to set fruit until they reach maturity, which can take 3-5 years total.
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Once mature, most varieties will reliably produce fruit annually under optimal conditions.
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The first 1-2 harvests may be lighter as the tree becomes established and vigorous.
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Full fruit production capabilities are generally reached around years 5-8.
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With proper care, nectarine trees can remain productive for 20+ years.
Caring for Your Homegrown Nectarine Tree Long-Term
To keep your nectarine tree thriving for years of abundant harvests:
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Continue annual pruning, fertilizing, and watering as needed.
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Monitor for pests like borers and diseases like bacterial spot. Address issues promptly.
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Renew or amend the soil periodically to replenish nutrients.
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Protect trees from harsh weather and winter damage based on your climate.
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Thin developing fruit to 6 inches apart to allow proper size and flavor development.
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Harvest nectarines gently when ripe and enjoy immediately for peak flavor.
Growing nectarine trees from the seed found inside their fruit is an extremely rewarding, multi-year endeavor. With careful planning, patience, and diligent care, you can cultivate a productive tree yielding sweet, juicy nectarines for many years to come. The effort pays off when you bite into your first homegrown nectarine!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know when nectarine seeds are viable?
Choose plump, intact pits from ripe, undamaged nectarines for the best chance of viability. Avoid withered, cracked, or moldy seeds.
What is the germination rate of nectarine pits?
Typically only about 10-30% of nectarine pits will successfully sprout. Using high-quality pits and proper germination techniques helps increase success.
Can you grow a nectarine tree indoors?
While possible, nectarine trees need substantial space and light to thrive. Focus on growing them outdoors unless you have a greenhouse environment.
How long do nectarine trees live?
With optimal growing conditions and care, a nectarine tree grown from seed can remain productive for 20 years or more. Proper maintenance is key for longevity.
How do you know when nectarines are ripe?
Ripe nectarines smell sweet and feel slightly soft. Their skin turns red or yellow depending on variety. They should come off the tree easily when ready.
Growing nectarines from seeds found inside their fruit is a long but rewarding process. With careful planning and diligent care, you can cultivate productive nectarine trees for years of juicy, homegrown fruit!
Growing nectarines from seed
With a little extra effort, you can grow a nectarine tree yourself. Nectarines seeds from the store, on the other hand, are often not good because the varieties sold there are from warmer, subtropical countries and need a lot of heat. If you can get good fruit and healthy seeds, like from a local fruit grower, you should plant them in October. Fruits from regional cultivation typically have a higher likelihood of success.
How to grow a nectarine from seed:
- Remove the stone from the pulp.
- Store stone in a moist place until sowing, e. g. in a damp kitchen towel.
- Crack the stone and remove the almond-shaped seed.
- To help seeds sprout, keep them at 7 °C and constant humidity for one month, for example in a tray with wet sand.
- Place the seeds at 15 to 20 °C and keep them moist for another month.
- Move seeds that have sprouted to a growing medium that doesn’t have many nutrients, like our Plantura Organic Herb
- Continue to cultivate at 15 to 20 °C.
- Use an indoor greenhouse or a plastic cover to keep from drying out. Important: Make sure the small greenhouse has air flow every day, or mold will grow quickly.
- Once a few leaves have grown, the nectarine can be moved to a warmer area or outside, but keep it in the shade at first to keep the leaves from getting burned.
Important: Young nectarine trees are insufficiently frost hardy and should be protected from winter cold.
Tip: A nectarine tree that was grown from a rock won’t flower or bear fruit until it has finished its perennial juvenile phase. If you don’t want to wait that long, it’s better to buy a nectarine tree that has already been grafted or graft one yourself.
Pruning nectarine trees
Pruning nectarine is necessary to ensure long-term recurring harvests. In fact, the nectarine tree’s best fruit comes from wood that is one year old, or from branches that were formed the year before. The goal of pruning is thus to encourage the tree to produce this wood in bulk. This requires heavy pruning every year. When trees are heavily pruned, the so-called “fruiting branches” start to grow. This causes many triplet buds to form, which produce very good fruit. It is recommended to use the form of a bush tree, which will provide more protection from frost. In addition, a light and open crown should be the goal, because this allows rejuvenation of the wood.
Pruning nectarine trees is possible at different times. You can also prune the tree several times a year, as it is usually very strong growing. Recommended times are after harvest (August to September) or just before flowering (February).
First of all, it is necessary to remove any hanging branches, as they grow weak. Furthermore, light should be brought into the tree. This includes removing branches that grow strongly vertically and branches that cross each other. Always keep branches that are easy to lift, young, and growing in a good direction so they don’t get in the way of other shoots.
Next, prune the leading branches of the nectarine tree. They grow from the tree’s main shoot or, in the case of a funnel crown, from several main shoots. The fruiting wood grows on them. Young, healthy leading shoots are not pruned. Fruit-bearing shoots that are more than a year old are cut down to a stub about 20 cm long, and younger shoots take their place. On the stumps or elsewhere, this alternate pruning creates new shoots that grow for the following year’s harvest.
Throughout the crown, be sure to avoid crossing shoots, so that a single branch has enough space. In the end, two to four leading branches should remain in each cardinal direction.
Important: The nectarine, like all stone fruits, is always pruned so that a cone or stub is left. This is because stone fruit has little wound-healing ability and dries up instead of covering wounds. This means that pruning always leaves two eyes, that is, new shoot buds.