Plant family: Rosaceae
Plant origin: China.
Fruit description: Nectarines are aromatic, delicious fruits, about 9cm in diameter. The skin has a red blush, it is thin, smooth and edible. The flesh is sweet, very juicy, either white or yellow. The Sunraycer Nectarine variety has a yellow-flesh which has a slight acidity, so they taste a little tangy as well as sweet.There is a woody seed inside each fruit containing an inedible seed that resembles an almond.
Flowers: Nectarine flowers are a soft pink blossom, produced in Spring, while the plants are still deciduous and dormant.
Growing conditions: The Nectarine is a hardy deciduous tree, is frost tolerant, and grows to 3 metres. It is a beautiful garden specimen, suitable for a small garden. Plant Nectarine trees in well-drained soil, enriched with well-rotted compost, or other organic material. Shelter the tree from strong winds. The tree needs plenty of sunshine to grow well and fruit prolifically. Water the tree all during the growing season, preferably with a drip system around the roots. Nectarines can be grown in a pot, particularly the Dwarf Nectarine varieties. The tree should be fertilised with general plant fertiliser twice a year in July and December. Mulch the tree annually. Prune the Nectarine tree in winter while it is dormant. It is best to prune to a vase shape or to an espalier shape, to within a few buds near the base of each strong branch, to ensure the fruit is a good size, and the branches bearing the fruit are strong enough to hold the abundant fruit. Nectarines fruit on new wood so, after fruiting, prune back the branches in summer where fruit was borne, to permit new growth for the next season’s crop.
Uses: Eat Nectarines fresh, or add them to fruit salads, drinks, ice-cream and sauces. They go beautifully with raspberries and other berry fruits. They make excellent jam or chutney, and can be preserved in syrup. Stewed nectarines are delicious! Put nectarines on top of a tea-cake before baking, or include nectarines in a fruit tart or crumble.
Medicinal uses:
Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.
Harvest time Pick the fruit when it is nearly ripe or fully ripe, usually September to December. It can ripen a little after picking. Ripeness is indicated by the red blush on the skin and the fruit having a slight give when gently pressed. Pick the fruit carefully so as not to bruise it or damage the skin.
Plant relatives Nectarine is a type of Peach with smooth skin. It is related to all Prunus species, including peach, plums, cherries and apricots.
Special features: The Peach and Nectarine have been grown in China for fruit, for over 5000 years.
Grown by method: Grafted Pot size: 5 litre
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2.5 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 3 metres high by 3 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 5 litre
