Nectarine tree dieback (forum)

Bron starts with ...
We are having a problem with our nectarine tree, which has branches starting to die back. This happened last year after a particularly bad bout of leaf curl and is occurring this year as well. The leaf curl has been controlled this year, and there are only a few leaves affected. Does anyone know how to manage this please, so that it won't happen again. We don't want to lose our lovely tree.
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Picture: 1

Time: 17th October 2010 4:30pm

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About the Author Bron
Mornington Peninsula
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Jimmy says...
It's not happy. Water and fertilsier, STAT !

Time: 18th October 2010 3:25pm

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About the Author Jimmy
Perth
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Bron says...
Thanks for that Jimmy. We usually use horse manure to feed, and have had a lot of rain and water laying around, although the trees are raised, and no problems with any other of our fruit trees. We have some composted sheep manure available at present, would this or something else be better?

Time: 18th October 2010 8:54pm

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amanda says...
Hi Bron, are you able to post a pic of some of the leaves as well? They look a bit pale, and are they curled up like that all of the time? It's a bit hard to see them in the above pic. :)

Time: 19th October 2010 11:30am

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
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Bron says...
I have taken some photos of the leaves for you. I Seasoled it on Tuesday and cut off all the dead twigs. There are occasional curled leaves still but not very many. I intend to put sheep manure on on the weekend and mulch. Am hoping that this is enough. All our other fruit trees appear OK. Bron
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Time: 21st October 2010 5:42pm

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amanda says...
Is just manure enough for fruit trees? It's not enough nitrogen for my trees here (but I am in sand) and they get Dynamic lifter as well?
Seasol very low in nitrogen.

Time: 21st October 2010 7:15pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
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Jason says...
They do need more nitrogen, a really healthy nectarine will have a darker shade of green leaves than that. If you want to use manure try chicken manure or if not then use some chemical fertiliser. I'd never been able to get enough power out of sheep manure for nectarines here, it's low in nitrogen so I'd skip that, even 10 kilos of chicken manure quite often was a struggle, but a pot full of chemical fertiliser does the trick.

The problem with fruit trees is they have been selected for big fruit and lots of it for so long they wont grow in most natural soils anymore, since they are no longer a natural tree. Well unless you happen to live on a fairly recent lava flow or river flood plane or other such excellent conditions :)

Time: 21st October 2010 9:08pm

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Original Post was last edited: 21st October 2010 9:12pm

About the Author Jason
Portland
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amanda says...
Well said Jason. I use a combination of the two (like many folk maybe?) I find manures are a great "soil conditioner" and add valuable 'bulk' OM - but are not enough on their own for most highly selected-for fruiting trees?

The treatment may also depend on whether someone wants a "trophy" tree or not too?? ;-)

Time: 21st October 2010 10:29pm

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Original Post was last edited: 21st October 2010 10:31pm

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
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Brendan says...
I also give my tropical nectarine some dolomite (or gypsum) every year. They love calcium and lots of mulch :-)

Time: 22nd October 2010 8:24am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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Jason says...
Yep they do grow muuuch better in sandy soils or on lime stone around here also. But right where I am we don't have such a soil

Time: 22nd October 2010 11:26am

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About the Author Jason
Portland
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Bron says...
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Tomorrow I am going to fertilize it well and then give it a good mulch. We are away after next weekend for a few weeks, so hopefully when we return the leaves will be greener and the fruit looking good.

Time: 24th October 2010 9:23pm

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About the Author Bron
 
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