Question
QUESTION: While relishing a juicy ripe nectarine during the summer of 2008. Noticed the seed shell of this ripened nectarine was already split open. The seed itself was a healthy specimen fully formed, showing the start of growth out of it's delicate casing. Immediately placed said seed in some rich grade garden soil in a small plastic pot,outside. Lo and behold within a period of seven to ten days there appeared a delightful green sprout from the soil. During the waning months of summer kept this budding sapling outside. Checked with one of our local nursery outlets as to how to nurture this vibrant sapling during the fall and winter months. Allow me to digress momentarily and explain where I call home. My place of residence is in The Greater Vancouver Area, in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Normally speaking in this Pacific West Coast Region our winters are for the most part rainy, and damp, a temperate climate, and no where near the sub zero temperatures experienced in eastern Canada. Continuing with the suggestion I was given at the local nursery. It was recommended, that I move this budding sapling inside our house once the overnight temperatures began to drop down around ten to twelve degrees celcius. Then toward the onset of our spring, place the sapling outside during the daylight hours, but to bring it back inside overnight. Mr. Alonzo, at what stage in the development of this sapling would it be advisable to remove the young sapling from it's current plastic pot and transplant it in the garden? What conditions in the garden  would be favorable to nurture the sapling into a vibrant healthy tree? Does the tree prefer direct sunlight throughout the day? Or would a shadier area be recommended?
Any and all suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully yours,
Morris.

ANSWER: Hi Morris,
Thanx for your question.  I was fortunate enough to visit the Bouchard Gardens in Victoria, BC back in 1998 and the climate in that part of Canada (even in the winter) is lovely.

I would take the nectarine sapling outdoors after the last frost (which you should have experienced by now) and place the pot in the shade for about 10 days.  After that, plant the tree in a wide open space where it will get full-sun all day long.  Dig the hole so that the sapling will sit in it slightly lower than it was in the pot.  Amend the soil with some well-composted cow manure.  There are fertilizer spikes available at your local nursery or DIY that are rated for fruit trees.  I'd go with a slow-release fertilizer like that.  Your area should have sufficient raing but if not, water the plant well, once a week.

Bear in mind that your necatarine seedling came about from a hybrid parent.  Due to intense hybridization the fruit and tree will most likely be inferior to the parent plant.  That does not mean that the tree won't be healthy or the fruit tasty it just will not be the same thing as the parent.  Hybrids are not genetically stable and the seed does not come true to the parent plant and the progeny vert back to prior strains.  I hope this helps and good luck with your sapling.
Tom

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QUESTION: Hi Tom,
Appreciate your feed back and advice regarding all my concerns about caring for nectarine sapling. The area where I reside has an extremely high water table. My question and concern is, under these conditions what chances would the sapling have of surviving and flourishing.
Respectfully,
Morris Ross.

Answer
Hi Morris,
Thanx for the additional information.  If your soils is poorly drained or naturally soggy due to a high water table, this would not be a good growing environment for your nectarine.  I am going to assume that you live near a seacoast or riparian area.  Sometimes, a water table can be considered high but the soil will still accommodate the healthy growth of trees.  For instance, I used to live only a few miles from the Gulf Coast in Florida.  The water table was considered high for this area yet the Southern Pine forest flourished throughout the state even close to the sea.  Have you noticed if anyone else in your area is growing fruit trees?  If they are, then the water table is having no adverse effect on the local flora.  You may want to contact the Master Gardeners of British Columbia.  They have a chapter in Vancouver.  Here is the link.
http://www.bcmastergardeners.org/
They can give you exact details about your local conditions and the advice and consultation are free!  I used to work with the Master Gardeners here in Kansas City.  I checked Agriculture Canada and did not find anything specific to BC.

On page 21 of the link below, the BC Government gives references for publications on growing tree fruit in your area.  Perhaps this might be helpful.
http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/treefrt/profile/stonefrt.pdf

I hope this helps.
Tom