Do you like peaches? If you answered yes, you may like the nectarinesince it is better to chew . But, do you want to know its origin and the care it needs to bear fruit?
The tree that produces them is rather small, so it is ideal for growing in gardens with little space or even in large pots.
Origin and characteristics
The tree that produces the nectarine, whose scientific name is Prunus persica var. nectarine, is practically identical to the peach tree; not in vain, it derives from a natural mutation -without the intervention of the human being- of the aforementioned. The only notable difference is that the skin of the fruit of our protagonist does not have a tomentum, something that makes it better to consume.
Otherwise, if it is allowed to grow on its own, it reaches a height of about 4 to 6 meters, with a globose bearing. The leaves are lanceolate, oblong, with a length of between 140 and 180mm and a width of 40 to 50mm. The flowers are solitary or appear gathered in groups of three to four, and are pinkish or campanulaceous.
The fruit is a more or less globose drupe, with smooth skin and very tasty pulp. The seed is free, which means that it is not attached to the pulp as is the case with peaches.
Varieties
There are many varieties, among which we highlight the following:
- arm king: the fruit is medium in size, round in shape, orange-red in color and slightly acidic in taste.
- maygrand: the fruit is of good size, red in color. It is one of the earliest.
- Morton: the fruit is rather small, of an intense red color and white pulp.
- The Great: the fruit is intense yellow with light red streaks. The pulp is yellow and has a good flavor.
What are their cares?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
Location
The nectarine is a tree that it must be planted outsidefull sun.
Earth
- Flower pot: It is not a plant that can stay in a container for a long time, but if it is large – about 60cm in diameter – it can live quite well. The substrate to be used must be universal mixed with 30% perlite.
- Garden: the soil must be deep, light, preferably acidic and well drained.
Irrigation
Frequent, especially during the hottest season. It has to be watered 3-4 times a week in summer and somewhat less the rest of the year. Use rainwater or lime-free.
Subscriber
From early spring to late summer / early fall must be paid once a month with ecological fertilizersLike guano o manure for example.
Planting or transplanting time
Late winter the nectarine tree can be planted in the orchard, leaving a distance of 4 to 6 meters. In the case of having it in a pot, it must be transplanted every two years.
Pruning
There are three types:
- Professional development
: it is made from when it is planted until production begins. All diseased, dry or weak branches must be removed, and those that are growing too much must be trimmed, giving the crown a glass shape if the climate is temperate, or a palm tree if it is a cold area. - Fruiting: it is carried out at the end of winter, in specimens that have already begun to bear fruit. The stems that are too vigorous, those that are too weak and those that are badly located are removed. Those that have fructified have to be removed or they stand out.
- In green: it is done in June and July (Northern Hemisphere) twice a month. It consists of removing the suckers and clarifying the sprouts.
Pests
It is quite resistant, but if the growing conditions are not suitable it can be affected by:
- Trips: they are very small black parasites that destroy the ovaries, making it impossible for the fruit to have a good development. They can be controlled with sticky yellow traps.
- Mealybugs: they can be cottony or limpet-like. They feed on the sap of leaves and young shoots, but can be removed with diatomaceous earth (you can get it here!).
Diseases
Like the peach tree, it is very sensitive to carafewhich is a cryptogamic disease whose agent is Taphrina deformans. This causes the formation of irregularly shaped dents on the blade blade. It deforms the nerves and petiole, making it look stiff.
It is controlled with Bordeaux mixture only in winter, since the rest of the year it would be toxic to the tree.
Multiplication
It multiplies by seeds in springfollowing this step by step:
- The first thing to do is eat a nectarine .
- Then a 10,5cm diameter pot is filled with universal growing medium.
- Then, the seed is watered and the seed is placed on the surface.
- The next step is to cover it with a thin layer of substrate, thick enough to protect it from the sun.
- Next, it is watered again and copper or sulfur is sprinkled to prevent the appearance of fungi.
- Finally, the pot is placed outside, in semi-shade.
Thus, it will germinate in 1-2 months.
In any case, it is necessary to know that to get more resistant specimens, what is usually done a lot is to graft nectarine branches on the trunk (or branches) of the peach tree.
Rusticity
Withstands cold and frost well up to -7ºCbut it is hurt by late frosts.
What uses does it have?
Ornamental
It is a very decorative tree, which can be kept as an isolated specimen or in groups.
Culinary
Its fruits are edible, and very nutritious. Per 100 grams contains:
- Calories: 44%
- Total fats: 0,3g
- Saturated: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 0,1g
- Monounsaturated: 0,1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Potassium: 201mg
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Proteins: 1,1g
- Vitamin A: 332IU
- Vitamin D: 0IU
- Vitamin B12: 0 µg
- Vitamin B6: 0mg
- Calcium: 6mg
- Iron: 0,3mg
- Magnesium: 9mg
Medicinal
It is an ideal plant for better healthsince its fruits fight constipation, prevent heart disease, delay aging, fight diabetes and obesity, treat iron deficiency anemia, improve the nervous and muscular system, and if that were not enough, they take care of eyesight, skin, nails and hair.
What more could you want? This tree has it all! Go ahead and cultivate it .
