new fruit tree problem

JIM D

I planted some semi-dwarf fruit trees from a nursery about April this year. I did all of the proper ground prep and all but one is growing fine. The one with an issue is a snow queen nectarine. It looks very yellow but no leaves are falling off and there has been no new growth. When I asked the nursery they said it might be dying or it might just be shocked and will take a year to find out if it will recover. What should I do?

Brent Ferris

How long is the warranty for? IF you have a year, wait and see; if it is almost over ask for another.

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madge707

Is it an even yellowing across the whole leaf or are there still veins of green?

If its an even yellowing its likely a nitrogen deficiency, even if you prepared the ground in April sometimes some trees need more nutrients than others. I grow dwarf citrus in containers (nutrients leech very quickly) so I'm always on the look out for yellowing leaves. If that is indeed what's wrong, I don't recommend trying to make up for it now. Nitrogen this late in the year will trigger lots of lovely new shoots that are very cold sensitive. Wait until January/February right before buds/blooms start to develop to add your years supply of nutrients.

Alternatively, as per the previous poster, get a new tree if its still under a guarantee. If it isn't -- try the nitrogen next year and you might try a folar feeding of epsom salts for trace minerals to help the blooms set. It sounds like its going to need all the help it can get. Spray on when you see the new leaves forming and follow standard protocol for making sure you don't burn the plant (water day before, don't apply on a hot day or late in the day, etc)