Nectarine tree

[Black Forest Dan]

I planted a small nectarine tree two years ago, in the warmest part of the garden (sun-trap) but this year, like last year, most of the leaves have curled up and gone pink / red in patches. I could not find any aphids or other obvious pests, and the leaves don't dry up and fall off, they just curl up tight. Our ground is mostly clay, but I planted it in a decent sized hole with compost and some decent topsoil.

Several of the branches are dead, there's very little new growth, it's really not a happy bunny. Winter is very cold here - down to -26^oC at the lowest, with plenty of snow this winter - nevertheless this tree was sold at a local garden centre as 'winterproof' and it is trying its best to survive...

Has anybody else tried growing nectarines, any suggestions?

[Black Forest Dan]

[westsussexlottie]

peach leaf curl. Once it gets hold it is hard to stop it.

[Black Forest Dan]

Thanks Lottie, you're exactly right!

I googled and quickly found some photos showing exactly the problem, causes, treatments etc.

It's too late for this year but at least I know the cause, I will try to prevent it with fungicide in autumn.

Dan.