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 -26oC 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?
peach leaf curl. Once it gets hold it is hard to stop it.
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.