Patio Nectarine Tree Flowers But Never Fruits

[Ben1030]

Hi guys

Im having trouble getting my patio flavortop nectarine to produce fruit.

I purchased the nectarine tree from B&Q 3 years ago, it grows in a large 50cm container on the north side of the house. During the spring it gets the sun from around 2pm onwards, in summer it’s in full sun throughout the day.

The first year the tree didn’t flower, I heavily pruned it that July not knowing that flowers form on the tips of 1 year old wood. Last year it produced 2 flowers, on the tips of braches only lightly trimmed, neither fruited. I decided not to prune it at all last year hoping for more flowers this year. I’d say there were around 15 blossoms in late April this year, these have now all fallen leaving no fruit.

The tree has no protection from the wind or rain, could this be the cause, or will it begin to fruit as it ages?

Thanks
Ben

[Bigmallly]

Hiya Ben, I'm lead to believe that Nectarines are a tender fruit as per Peach & need some protection. If possible I would grow it under cover in a greenhouse or similar. I'm not sure about pollination but a helping hand with a paint brush maybe is what's needed.

[Ben1030]

I only have a small yard with no space for a greenhouse, although u doubt the tee would fit in one as its approx 2m tall. I brushed most of the flowers at least once, with it being self fertile I thought this would be adequate? Maybe I could fashion some sort of cover? Has anyone had to do anything like this to get fruit?

If I was desperate I could move it into the house for a couple of weeks while it flowers (last resort)

[Bigmallly]

Would something like this help?


Wilko Tomato Greenhouse with PVC Cover at wilko.com

[Ben1030]

I was thinking something similar but didnt know if it would work. Might have to give it ago next winter.

Would you advise rotating my nectarine or leaving a single side face south?

[Bigmallly]

If it's South facing, I wouldn't bother but if it's not too much trouble it wouldn't harm to turn it every few days.

[orangepippin]

I would move it to the south side of the house if possible, as it needs to be in full sun at all times of the year for best results. Try to keep it as sheltered from the wind as possible. Don't move it indoors. Don't prune it. I also wonder if the pot is big enough, although that could work in your favour or against, I'm not sure - 50cm is probably a bit small for what sounds like quite a large tree.

[Ben1030]

I would love to but I don't have a south side of the house, it's a steep sided valley. I was planning on pruning this summer as I think it's in desperate need of tidying up, overlapping branches etc.... Il post a picture of the tree including pot, see what you think is best. I googled pictures of nectarines in flower, my tree looked nothing like they did!

[Ben1030]

As you can see I don't have much room. Might be hard to tell from the picture but quite a few of the braches cross over.

[orangepippin]

It looks lovely. I think the pot is too small for it. Remove crossing branches if necessary, but apart from that I would leave it alone. There is nothing obviously wrong with it, but the more sun and warmth you can give it the better.

[Ben1030]

Ive been looking at the tree position and i think its a combination of the wind and rain that could be the problem. Trouble is its in the sunniest spot. I may try to build a temporary shelter out of old grow house covers and wood.

[TrixC]

Have you been giving it plenty of water? Container grown trees need lots of water, and a tree under water stress will not produce fruit.

[Ben1030]

Yes it has plenty, the only time it gets near dry will be during a few dry spells in summer but that's long after the flowers have fallen off .

[BUFFS]

don't forget to pollinate the flowers, one of those childs paint brushes, gently stroke it against the centre of each flower each day for at least a week, I got apricots last year using this method and also on the peaches as well, and that was with the worst summer on record up here last year, darkest and coldest, but I did have them under a cover.. good luck and keep trying, they told me "you cant grow figs outdoors in Scotland" but forgot to tell the fig tree...and it is outside all year,facing south

[lookbettertomorow]

I would remove the stone from the compost. Soil/compost needs to breathe and it must be near impossible to tell if it needs watering or not covered up like that. Just my opinion, prefer to see the soil rather than gravel. Must have john inner number 3, soil based so provides weight for the pot as well something solid for the roots