Question
What is the true answer regarding growing nectarines from seed. I am new at the vegetable gardening thing, but I had a decent year to be my first. So since I did o.k. I thought about planting my nectarine seed from my fruit in a pot. I was surprised because I planted about 5 seeds right from the fruit and they are all now growing in a pot. Will they survive and what should I do with them during the winter?  

Answer
They will survive, and if kept for properly, will grow into tree seedlings.

One word of caution. Most plants sold today are hybrids. These are plants grown from two different species that produce offspring with characteristics from both. When you try and propagate a hybrid from seed, the resulting plant never bears the same genus as the parent plant. That is why it is best to leave propagation from hybrids to the breeders who specialize in grafting and other methods.

If, however, you like to experiment, propagating hybrids can produce some interesting results. I'm not sure if I would chance this with a large perennial plant such as a tree, but I do on occasion experiment with flowers and vegetables.

If you wish to proceed, start the seeds in 10" pots filled with a fertile potting soil. Place the seedling under fluorescent lights or in a window facing east. Only water when the soil is dry 2" below the surface. And be sure to fertilize once every two weeks at 1/2 the recommended solution on the package. Also, use a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium for good stem and root development.

Once the plant is 4 feet high, you can tranplant it into the garden. Prior to transplanting, you must harden-off the plant to acclimate it to outdoor conditions. This is necessary because it has been in a controlled environment over the winter and needs to be introduced slowly to the changes in temperature, wind, sun, and rain.  

This process is accomplished by placing the young plant in a shaded or covered area for a few hours the first day to protect it from the wind and sunlight. A covered porch or a coldframe are both good options. Leave the plant out 6 hours the second day, 12 hours the third, and the entire day the fourth. Each day move it more towards the sunlight. The reason for this is to protect them from sun scald. You can then plant it into the yard 7 days after starting this process, assuming that all danger of frost has passed.

I hope this information helps. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike