How to grow a nectarine: variety selection, planting and care, budding and reproduction

Southern fruit nectarine is valued for its sweet taste, low maintenance and long shelf life. When wondering how to grow a nectarine correctly, you should understand all the nuances in order to get fruits with high palatability.

General description and characteristics

Nectarines grow on sprawling trees 5-7 m high. Trees begin to bloom immediately after the formation of the first leaves. Pink inflorescences form on the branches, which give the planting a decorative appearance. Fruits form on one-year-old branches and change color from greenish-yellow to orange. The diameter of fruits reaches 4-5 cm, subject to proper care and favorable climatic conditions.

Plant varieties

There are several varieties of nectarines that differ in fruit ripening, yield and other features. According to the timing of fruiting, early, middle and late varieties are distinguished. When choosing the right variety for growing, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the common species among experienced gardeners.

Early varieties

Planting early-ripening trees is recommended in regions with a short warm period. The following early varieties are popular among gardeners:

1. Crimson Gold. Hybrid medium-sized variety with high yield. The fruits are large in size and weigh 120-130 g. The pulp of the fruit is tender and juicy.
2. Big Top. The variety bears large oval-shaped fruits. Fruit tastes sweet and pits easily.

Medium grades

Many gardeners prefer to grow medium varieties in temperate areas. Common medium nectarine varieties include:

1. Wang. The variety is valued for its high yield and easy care. The fruits have a delicate yellow flesh with a pronounced aroma.
2. Flavor Top. Mid-season variety that bears fruits weighing 150-160 g. The main advantage of the variety is good transportability.

Late varieties

Planting late-ripening varieties is advisable in hot regions. In this category, varieties such as:

1. Stark Red Gold. Trees with one crown bear symmetrical fruits with a rounded shape and weighing up to 200 g. The pulp is dense, easily separated from the stone. Harvest ripens in mid-August.
2. Crimean. On compact stands at the end of the summer period, fruits weighing 190 g grow. During the year, 40-50 kg of yield can be obtained from one tree.
3. Columnar. Nectarines of this variety grow on small trees. The fruits are formed thickened, which allows you to collect a large harvest.

Nectarine cultivation

It is necessary to germinate nectarine trees taking into account several features. In order for the seedlings to take root well and actively bear fruit, it is necessary to observe the terms of planting in open ground, choose a suitable place for growth, process the planting material and the ground, properly plant and care for the nectarine.

When to plant

The favorable landing period depends on the climatic conditions in a particular region. In the southern regions and the middle zone of the country, it is recommended to plant trees in unprotected soil in early autumn.In areas with a long winter period and in the Urals, it is better to sow seeds in the spring, after the snow has melted and the risk of return frosts has disappeared.

In the Moscow region and adjacent regions, both autumn and spring planting is allowed, since seedlings will be able to germinate under different environmental conditions.

Selecting and preparing a site

Nectarine loves loamy and sandy soil. On heavy clay soil, trees will not take root and will not bear fruit. For landing in the country, you need to choose a site with deep groundwater, located on the south side of the cottage. Nectarine precursors should not be nightshade crops, strawberries and clover, as planting after these plants can lead to verticillium.

During a sunny day, the trees should be well lit. Tall buildings and other plantings from which a shadow falls should not be located near the plantations. Also, avoid planting a nectarine next to a peach, as this will increase the risk of fungal infections.

Preparing planting material

For planting in a summer cottage, you should purchase annual seedlings of a variety adapted to the climatic conditions of the growing region. It is necessary to carefully inspect the planting material and make sure that there are no signs of damage. The roots of young seedlings should not be dry and soft. From the inside, the color of the bark should be greenish, and at the grafting site, the absence of sagging is important.

If trees are planted with a stone, then before sowing, it is necessary to disinfect the seed. For this, a low-concentrated solution of potassium permanganate is prepared, and seeds are soaked in it for 15-20 minutes. Then the seed is kept in water for germination and heated during the day.

Fitting technology

It is necessary to prepare a landing pit 2-3 weeks before disembarkation. The depth of the hole is determined depending on the height of the seedling.The excavated layer of soil is laid aside and mixed with superphosphate and rotted compost. Then half of the resulting earth mixture is poured in the center of the hole, forming a small hill.

A seedling is placed on a hill in the hole and the roots are carefully straightened, and then the rest of the earth is poured out. The grafting site of the seedling should rise 3-4 cm above the ground level. The earth is compacted from the edges of the hole to the center and watered abundantly. When the water is completely absorbed, the seedling is fixed to a peg and hilling is performed using dry soil.

Nuances of tree care

During the cultivation of nectarine in Siberia and other regions, it is required to provide full care. The implementation of agricultural practices directly affects the yield of trees and the process of their development.

Nectarine watering

Throughout the growing season, watering the nectarine should be regular and plentiful. During the dormant period, it is enough to wet the ground 1-2 times a month. It is also recommended to carry out spraying of the ground part. In hot weather, it is better to spray the foliage in the early morning or in the evening when the temperature drops a little.

Feeding

It is recommended to fertilize the soil every 10 days, combining organic top dressing and mineral nutrients. A suitable organic fertilizer for nectarine is rotted manure, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Complex mineral supplements are purchased in a ready-to-use state. During the dormant period, plantings do not need to be saturated with nutrients.

Processing

In the middle of the spring, preventive treatment of trees is carried out. Nectarines are sprayed over swelling buds with Karbofos. The following processing is performed at the time of formation of the sheet plates.For secondary spraying, a solution of Bordeaux mixture is used.

Wintering

In autumn, before the onset of a severe cold snap, foliage and plant debris are removed from the site. Then the area around the tree trunk is covered with a layer of sawdust, peat or straw mulch. Mulching should be done in dry weather to prevent rot.

Young seedlings placed outdoors in autumn need a protective shelter during the frost period. To do this, next to the plant, long slats are fixed in the ground and a bag is pulled over them. You can also use a thick cloth or plastic wrap as a cover.

Cutting

Plant shaping is done to remove excess foliage that impairs aeration and prevents the passage of sunlight to the fruits, as well as damaged branches that continue to consume nutrients from the soil.

Forming

Nectarine fruiting occurs on annual growths, therefore, with formative pruning, it is necessary to ensure the active growth of annual shoots by thinning and shortening the branches. The first formative pruning of autumn planting trees is required with the onset of spring, at the moment the sap flow begins.

Sanitary

Autumn and summer pruning of nectarine is carried out for sanitary purposes as needed. It is recommended to periodically inspect the trees and, in the event of damaged and decaying parts or abundant growth of foliage, perform shaping.

Diseases and pests of crops

Improper care or unfavorable growing conditions lead to the development of diseases. Finding signs of infection, it is necessary to take care of the trees and perform medical treatment.For nectarine, it is recommended to use products based on natural ingredients as an alternative to chemical preparations.

Among the pests for nectarine, the codling moth, aphids, scale insects, moths, mites and flower weevils are especially dangerous. Large insects can be removed from trees manually. With the invasion of a large number of parasites, treatment with insecticidal substances is required.

Reproduction of nectarine

You can increase the number of trees on the site through reproduction. Nectarine is planted with seeds or budding is carried out, which consists in cuttings from a cultivated variety.

Seed

For propagation by seed, it is necessary to leave the bones from the largest and he althiest fruits. The seeds are disinfected and soaked for germination, after which they are transferred to open ground or seedlings are pre-formed at home.

Vaccination

Nectarine cuttings are grafted onto rootstocks by budding. Harvesting of cuttings is carried out in the early morning, when the shoots are saturated with a large amount of moisture. The length of the cuttings must be at least 30 cm. The lower cut of the cutting is immersed in water and the lateral growths are removed. On the trunk of a tree, previously cleaned of dirt and dust, a bark incision is made, under which a pruning is later grafted. The vaccination site is wrapped with plastic wrap for fixation.

Features of cultivation in different regions of Russia

When planning the planting of a nectarine, it is important to take into account the type of soil, weather and climatic conditions and other factors in the region of growth. Depending on the environmental conditions, the timing of planting, the need for protective treatments and the use of shelter change. It will also be useful to learn about the experience of growing fruit crops from other gardeners, which will help you avoid common mistakes and get a good harvest.

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