I know I could post this in the trees forum but I need YOUR help! I have 2 nectarine trees I bought last year with nice pink blossoms on them. They haven't even budded out yet this year and all the other trees have had leaves for WEEKS! What is going on? I asked my DH if they were just dead and he snapped a small branch and it was green. But I also thought one branch looked a little red, like fire blight? Is this a common problem on ALL fruiting trees? And when can I expect some flowers on these things?
Thanks for your help!
This message was edited Jun 2, 2006 2:53 PM
Nectarine Trees...TX...zone 8b
My one nectarine tree has been slow this year also. It is planted toward the back of the lot and I must guiltily admit I haven't gotten enough water to it during this awful drought. It has some leaves and a few blossoms but I know it has suffered. Also a couple of sucker shoots came up that I didn't get pruned back and I think that saps energy from the varietal tree. Some times there are little red flushes on a few twigs that look like it is just a characteristic of the variety. I'm giving it a slow soaking every third day and hope it can forgive me. Yuska
This message was edited Apr 15, 2006 12:05 PM
Sometimes peach trees will not bud out if they don't get enough chill hours in the winter for that particular variety. Nectarines are closely related, I think....
Oh my gosh DMJ! That's what DH said this morning! He said the buds never opened but the trees are starting to have leaves now! Guess we just had a mild winter. No nectarines for us this year. =(
Not getting the chill hours needed will affect both breaking dormancy and flowering. I have 3 miniature apple trees whose chill hour requirements are just below the average for this area. This year, two haven't leafed out yet and the third one has just a few leaves. I'm hoping the trees survive.
My peach tree did not get the chill hours it needed and now it does not have any blooms but loads of new leaves. It is just the winter we have had - what can we do?
I have really great peaches this year--the last frost nipped about half the buds on the tree and "self-thinned" for me. I grow a variety called "Floriday" which has very low chill hours requirements. I only have one the one tree purchased from edible landscapes about 8 years ago..
Last year was the first year my peach tree produced fruit. I was looking forward to great fruit this year, but a late frost took care of that. I thought the flowers hadn't been affected as the flowers looked fine, but only two peaches formed. My 4-in-one plum was loaded with flowers when that late frost hit and it too is without fruit this year.
Can Orange Trees overwinter in North Texas if sheltered from north wind and planted in-ground w/good mulch? Or do I need to bring it in or dormant it (will it dormant?).
I don't think orange trees can make it here in north Texas. Better keep it potted and bring in for the winter.
Orange no... I have only had luck with a lime - but it does not grow any bigger just lives...