Rescued but pooly Nectarine tree

[rocinante]

I've just rescued an unloved nectarine tree in a pot that I gave to my mother as a gift about 3 years ago. I'm hoping for some advise about how to bring it back to health. Until this afternoon it was still in the same pot from when it was bought and has been left in a corner of a patio and watered only occasionally. As you can see from the picture It has only a few leaves and the majority of branches have no leaves on at all

I've repotted it and am watering it regularly but what else should I do? Should I prune back the branches with no leaves or wait till next year to see what happens. Any advise gratefully received. Cheers.

[Bigmallly]

If it's any consolation, some of my Peach, Apricot & Nectarines are looking similar. It's the end of the season so will be going into dormancy. Can you bring it undercover during winter?

P.S.............Welcome to the Jungle.

[Guest]

If the branches have a wrinkly look cut them back to a nice plump bit of branch. For the time being put it somewhere sheltered and don't let it dry out for long periods of time. When it gets buds (feb/march-ish time) bring under cover until leaves are fully out to help prevent leaf curl. Remove any diseased leaves as soon as pos. if they appear.

[rocinante]

Thanks both for your help. If I keep it under cover till the leaves are out does that mean I'd have to pollinate the blossom by hand or does that appear after the leaves?

[Guest]

Blossom is usually first but it is best to hand pollinate anyway for peach and nectarine as the blossom is usually out quite early in the year when a lot of insects still aren't about.

[BUFFS]

Thanks both for your help. If I keep it under cover till the leaves are out does that mean I'd have to pollinate the blossom by hand or does that appear after the leaves?

If you hand pollinate you can be assured of a crop,big or small. I do mine first thing each morning, even before breakfast and do so for a minimum of a week, with this years weather I did it for two weeks and the flavour is streets ahead of shop fruit. Was it repotted with the likes of john Innes No3 compost?, and given its previous state I would give it a good dose of BFB now and a bit more at autumn time so it has the food to grow and produce....good luck, its a great feeling to turn a plant around and it will reward you for years..

[rocinante]

Thanks for the tips Buffs. To be honest it was repotted with ordinary potting compost. Is that going to be a problem?
Will give it some BFB as you suggest. Should I be feeding it anything else?