ARCTIC STAR NECTARINE - last update 10/24/19

Brief

Beautiful dark red, semi-freestone. Superb low-acid, sweet flavor.
Estimated Chilling Requirement
550-650 hours below 45°F
Pollination

Self-fruitful
Harvest Season within fruit type

early
Harvest Dates

June 1 to June 15

(approximate for Fresno, CA area)

White Nectarine Maturity Chart
Fruit & Nut Maturity Chart 2018 (full chart)
Fruit Size
Average diameter 2-5/8" to 3
Developed by Zaiger Genetics. U.S. Plant Patent No. 9332. (Expired)

Arctic Star White Nectarine Tree Information and Care

The Arctic Star white nectarine is a popular, moderate size woody deciduous fruit tree variety. Plant in a Full Sun area in soil with good drainage. In a home orchard settings, space trees as close as 10 feet apart when trees will be kept compact. Keep nectarine trees 10 feet tall and wide with regular pruning. Provide more room, up to 20 – 25 feet from each other to grow trees larger.

Watering Nectarine Trees – How Much and How Often

The Arctic Star white nectarine tree thrives with deep watering. In most soils, water newly planted trees weekly once they leaf out in the early Spring. Increase the frequency to twice per week, as the weather warms up in the Spring to Summer. It’s normal to irrigate 3 times per week during hot Summer in sandy soils. Reduce the frequency as it cools in the Fall. Discontinue watering in the Winter while the tree is dormant.

Fertilizing Nectarine Trees – How to Feed a Nectarine Tree

Fertilize your nectarine tree with organic fruit tree fertilizer. Use bone meal and humus based conditioners in the Winter. The low nitrogen, but higher phosphorus and potassium fertilizer with 1-2-2 or 1-4-4 NPK ratio will promote Spring blossoms and fruit development.

Apply higher nitrogen fertilizers such as steer manure and blood meal or feeds where the NPK ratio is 2-1-1 or 3-1-2 in early Spring for good growth through the Summer. Do not fertilize in the Fall, since we do not want to push growth during this time. Growth during the Fall would be weak and lanky. Use high quality trusted materials so the contents are known. If using compost, apply it sparsely during the early Spring while the weather is cool.

9/9/18