northeast nectarines- my favorite 'peach'

14 years ago

I posted earlier about the first half of harvest season producing mostly bland, sugar deficient peaches. This was largely the result of an exceptionally cool and wet June and July. The exceptions were less established peaches- it seems their root systems didn't pick up as much of the excess water. It may also be that their lighter cropping and generally less vigorous growth caused sweeter fruit. The weather improved immensely in August and late peaches have been satisfactory though not great.

It is interesting how much less nectarines were affected by these difficult conditions. They seem to also be significantly less vigorous as a group than peaches- including those on my property that are well established. Even on my well established Summer Beaut nectarine, which was not adequately thinned, the fruit was highly flavored. Very small fruit had almost as much flavor (sugar, acid, etc) as well sized fruit.

I have come to the conclusion that my favorite peach is in fact a nectarine and intend to grow enough varieties to get a harvest that will span the season. This evaluation is based on the last 5 seasons that IÂve had any nectarines to taste. As a rule they are more intensely flavored than peaches.

Of course, as might be expected, there is a price to pay for the pleasure of high brix nectarines and that is extreme susceptibility to brown rot. I put down 3 Indar sprays but stopped a month before harvest and still had significant brown rot damage. Even with the prompt removal of rotting fruit the BR spread to small branches- killing them. Next season I will rotate the Indar with Pristine to try to control resistance. I will continue to try to avoid spray closer than 30 days from harvest. The higher sugar also makes them more attractive to yellow jackets, and birds. Insects also like the smooth skin.

So far, Summer Beaut and Redgold seem well suited for East coast conditions. I salvaged some wonderful fruit from another tree I believe to be Hardired but cracking, brown rot and wasps (they like the cracks) cost me most of it. IÂd like to know if anyone out there has grown other varieties in a humid climate that are resistant to cracking

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Comments (5)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
14 years ago
Harvestman: I'm glad you've seen the light. It's not just us snotty westerners bragging about our nectarines. I only continue to grow two peaches vs about 20 nectarines.

Why don't you put a high tunnel over those nectarines. That would solve much of your disease and cracking problems; maybe even some bird and insect issues. Done properly you could control how much water your trees get. And you would need that control to solve the cracking issue because cracking is caused as much by excess water uptake as by rain on the fruit.

The Fruitnut
alan haigh
Original Author
14 years ago
Fruitnut, don't be sure tunnels will be so perfect here in the humid northeast. There's an article in Goodfruit (mid-May) about cherries cracking under plastic just from water in the soil (seepage) in Michigan. The researcher who penned the article indicated that there are other complications as well and that success is reliant on more than just throwing up a hoop house.

I think your idea is great, but like I keep saying, I'm addicted to the great out-doors. I hate the look of plastic and so far it seems if I select the right varieties and do a bit of extra spraying the fruit will be as good as I need it to be. A little fungicide is probably better for the environment than all that plastic.

Still, I hope someone on this forum in my climate takes you up on your suggestion. It seems like the only way to go for organic production of nectarines here and I'd like someone else to do the pioneering for me.
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FN, if I had the ability to control my environment as you do or even if I lived in the dry west, I'd probably take a more clinical approach to brix levels. I am grateful to you for your observations as what I've learned from you will certainly affect my fruit thinning methods next season. I used to actually favor the more hidden peaches to keep them from bird view! When peaches are described as "rubbery" I think you'd be misled to interpret it as the common definition in describing food. I think it's about the texture being more firm but not where it's difficult to chew. The Adam's people wouldn't be embracing these clones if they didn't enjoy eating them. The problem with the whole schtick of connesseurship is that the further you go to get the greatest tasting stuff the more your standards of what is enjoyable go up. People used to choke on dust and often face starvation for the 3 months it took to travel across the country- now they complain about the airline food! Anyway, this is what I tell myself when I start to get jealous of your amazing ultra-sweet pluots.
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Thanks for the recipes, I find that as interesting as the fruit. Those pictures sold me too, and the reviews, and Scott even though he sights the brown rot problem, always rated it high anyway. Any suggestions on how to handle brown rot prevention welcome. My tree is on Citation, but Lovell is available too. Depends what nursery you order from. I have observed that citation makes the trees have a larger caliper at a younger age. The trees look awesome. Lovell seems to produce slimer, but taller trees. I had Arctic Glo on both. The citation failed to branch low after a knee high cut. The tree was too old, my bad, my inexperience. I replaced with one on Lovell, and left the lowest structure on. So taller than knee high, but still can be kept small. I was also attracted to Arctic Glo and Red Raspberry (both nectarines) also because of the beautiful color, and the acid flavor. Here's a poor photo of Red Raspberry. " Developed by the California Rare Fruit Growers' Hybridizer Group. A rare nectarine with rich red flesh reminiscent of the old "Indian Red" peaches. It is the result of crossing red-fleshed peaches with white nectarines and re-crossing the subsequent seedlings. Small to medium sized fruit has dark burgundy skin with flesh streaked in red and a juicy, melting texture. The flavor is unique: rich and complex, very sweet but with a pleasant tartness similar to raspberry" I really wish i had more room. Maybe after I move I can add it. I will lose all current trees when i do, so they are certainly just experiments for now. I need to move in 4 or 5 years.
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AH I remember you asking this a week or so ago matt... One thing I will mention. Im assuming you are in Calgary or lethbridge. Please be careful with the zone ratings there. Calgary is rated zone 3/4, and I was there when it was -43C before the windchill (thermometer and the weather channel both confirmed this). That will definitely kill your peach tree, or most fruit trees for that matter. The same goes with peach trees hardiness. They seem to be hardy to southern zone 5, which is slightly different then our zone 5. The duration of the cold down south is nothing compared to alberta, where I have seen at least 3 weeks of -30C consecutively. Ive been researching this same question for a while now (im in zone 4, near a lake which moderates the temps). One of the best things you can do, is keep the tree cold there. The chinooks followed by the falling temps will cause the trunk to split. Again, I remember weeks where the temp went from -20C to 15C in 2 hours. IF you keep the sun off of it, you help keep the trunk cool, and have a less chance of this happening. From what ive read, that can make or break your chances of growing a peach. I will say this though, Im not trying to discourage you, or say its impossible, just saying its going to be tough. Then again, that makes the end result more rewarding right :D THis might help. ITs the ontario government site for agriculture, and it lists some of the species grown. S ontario is pretty much the furthest north peaches are grown here (of course, besides BC) http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/07-041.htm
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Sound yummy our gold dust peach was outstanding in my girlfriends cobbler. And I ate all my silver Logan nectarines before I could stop myself. Hope the weather is better next year maybe well get some apricots. Until then i have really enjoyed our pears and lastly the apples keep us eating fruit well into winter. Happy growing Cory
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rain2fall
14 years ago
Maybe you should be root-pruning those peaches to induce sugar production?
denninmi
14 years ago
My peaches are TERRIBLE this year -- no flavor and no sugar. It was incredibly cold this summer, with many nights in the low 40's and days only in the low to mid 70's, some days even in July and August not making it out of the mid 60's. Bummer. Pears and apples taste fine, though.
alan haigh
Original Author
14 years ago
rain2fall, I've thought about that but I'm thinking the best and safest thing might be to use plastic to reduce water intake in the soil. I believe that the excess water has more to do with the bland peaches than heat becuase of the variability from tree to tree here this season. On sites where water is restricted for certain reasons the peaches are much better.

I'm surprised I've never read of anyone using plastic sheeting to regulate the amount of water peach trees recieve in humid climates with lots of summer precip. I know I'd have to remove it enough of the time to assure rooting wouldn't become excessively shallow (and subject to winter injury).

In dry climates water is regulated to assure the highest quality of fruit- why not try that in wet climates?

northeast nectarines- my favorite 'peach'

Comments (5)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

alan haigh
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northeast nectarines- my favorite 'peach'

Comments (5)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

alan haighOriginal Author

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rain2fall

denninmi

alan haighOriginal Author

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alan haigh
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alan haigh
Original Author