Morton Nectarine Plant Conventional Bare-Root Cattail

Technical sheet of the Morton nectarine variety

• Color of the fruit flesh: White, juicy, melting, and very sweet.
• Skin color: Purple red, bright red and smooth.
• Size and shape: Medium size. Fleshy fruits.
• Fruit maturity: Early July.
• Fruit taste: Juicy and very sweet.
• Earliness of the variety: Late.
• Fruiting period: Harvest takes place at the beginning of July and lasts 3 weeks.
• Disease resistance and storage: It is not very susceptible to leaf curl. The available information does not provide specific data on fruit storage.
• Variety yield: A well-established tree can produce several dozen kilograms of fruit per year.
• Self-fertile? Self-fertile, but the presence of other nectarine or peach varieties nearby can improve fruit production through cross-pollination.
• Commercial use:
  • Fresh consumption.
  • Transformation into desserts, fruit salads, jams and compotes.
• Comments:
  • Originally from the United States.
  • Hardy, withstanding temperatures down to -15°C.
  • It prefers light, rich, well-drained soils.
  • The flowering is pink, semi-late, at the end of March or beginning of April.

Quick read / the essentials on the Morton Nectarine tree

The Morton nectarine tree is a recent variety that appeals to French arboriculturists with its productivity, resistance and taste quality . Derived from a natural mutation of the peach tree, it produces nectarines with white, juicy and very sweet flesh , ideal for fresh consumption and processing. Its moderate and rapid development, as well as its spreading habit , facilitate its maintenance and harvesting. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , provides producers with robust plants adapted to French growing conditions.

If you are looking to buy Morton nectarine plants , this variety is an excellent choice for professional orchardists. Its late harvest, from late July to early August , positions this fruit perfectly for the summer market. Its medium size, bright purple-red skin and tender flesh make it a highly sought-after product. This self-fertile tree ensures good production without the need for cross-pollination, although the presence of other nectarine trees can improve yields.

As a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , Arboriverse selects high-performance plants, suited to well-drained soils and sunny exposures . The Morton nectarine tree tolerates winter temperatures down to -20°C , but remains sensitive to late spring frosts. Its water requirements are moderate, with irrigation necessary during the fruiting period to ensure fruit quality.

If you are considering buying Morton nectarine plants , Arboriverse offers a wide range of rootstocks suitable for different soil conditions. GF677 is particularly recommended for its ability to adapt to calcareous and dry soils , while Prunus persica Missouri promotes good root anchorage. Thanks to rigorous cultural management and preventative treatments against leaf curl and brown rot, the Morton nectarine tree guarantees a stable yield and regular production , perfectly adapted to market requirements.

Introducing the Morton Nectarine Tree for Professional Arborists in France

The Morton nectarine tree is a recent variety appreciated for its white, juicy and very sweet flesh , as well as for its adaptability to professional orchards . Derived from a natural mutation of the peach tree, this variety was developed in the United States and offers a good compromise between productivity, resistance and taste quality.

Fruit Characteristics: A tasty and attractive nectarine

Morton nectarines are medium-sized , with a bright purple-red skin and a tender, juicy white flesh. Their taste is particularly appreciated by consumers thanks to their high natural sweetness and pleasant texture.

Harvesting takes place from late July to early August , making it a late variety well-positioned for the summer market. Although the shelf life is not specified, these nectarines are generally eaten fresh, but can also be made into jams or used in baking.

A moderately sized, productive tree

At maturity, the Morton nectarine tree reaches 3 to 4 meters in height and develops a spreading habit with a tall trunk and numerous horizontal branches, which facilitates harvesting. Its growth is moderate to rapid , allowing relatively early fruiting, generally as early as the third year after planting.

Growing conditions and climate adaptability

The Morton nectarine tree is a hardy tree that can withstand winter temperatures down to -15°C to -20°C , although it can be affected by late spring frosts . It is suitable for temperate and Mediterranean climates, where it can express its full potential.

It prefers sunny exposures and well-drained, slightly acidic or neutral soils . It tolerates moderately calcareous soils , but excess limestone can limit its development. Watering should be moderate but regular , especially during the growth and fruiting period. Excess water can lead to a risk of root rot , hence the need for well-drained soils.

Self-fertility and pollination

The Morton nectarine tree is self-fertile , meaning it can produce fruit without requiring another tree for pollination. However, the presence of other nectarine or peach trees nearby can improve yield and fruit quality through cross-pollination.

Resistance to diseases and parasites

This variety is relatively resistant to common nectarine diseases . It is not very susceptible to peach leaf curl , although preventative treatments with Bordeaux mixture in late winter may be beneficial. Monitoring is still necessary to prevent possible attacks by aphids and other pests .

As with many fruit varieties, rigorous cultural management (ventilation of the branches, appropriate pruning and preventive treatments) helps limit the appearance of cryptogamic diseases such as brown rot .

Recommended rootstocks and maintenance

The choice of rootstock is essential to ensure good adaptation to local soil conditions. Among the options recommended in France:

• GF677 : Vigorous rootstock, suitable for calcareous and dry soils.
• Prunus persica Missouri : Ideal for low and medium forms, promoting good root establishment.

Regarding maintenance, annual pruning at the end of winter is recommended for:

• Renew the fruiting branches .
• Aerate the branches and reduce the risk of disease .
• Optimize the sunlight on the fruits , promoting their coloring and taste quality.

Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers in spring supports growth, while adding potassium in autumn improves fruit set for the following season.

Economic potential and commercial opportunities

The Morton nectarine tree represents an interesting option for producers looking for a quality late variety . Its economic potential is based on:

• Good productivity (several tens of kilograms per adult tree).
• A taste quality sought after on the fresh market.
• Adaptability to processing (jams, desserts, pastries).

Its marketing can be optimized in short circuits (markets, direct sales) and in large-scale distribution, where demand for late nectarines remains strong.

Conclusion: a variety suitable for professional orchards

The Morton nectarine tree combines resistance, taste quality and ease of cultivation , making it a wise choice for French producers. Its very sweet white flesh , good productivity and ability to adapt to drained soils make it a promising variety for orchards.

With controlled maintenance and suitable protection against diseases , this variety can offer a stable yield and regular production , meeting the expectations of the nectarine market.

To summarize: Nectarine Morton

The Morton nectarine tree is a high-performance, late-ripening variety, ideal for growers looking for a sweet, attractive white nectarine . Its harvest from late July to early August makes it a particularly attractive product for the summer market. Its self-fertility , combined with good cold tolerance and adaptability to varied soils , ensures regular and profitable production. Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , supports growers with plants selected for their vigor and agronomic performance.

If you want to buy Morton nectarine plants , it is essential to choose well-drained, slightly acidic or neutral soil and ensure a sunny exposure to optimize fruiting. Although resistant to -20°C , this tree can be sensitive to late frosts and requires moderate irrigation to avoid root rot problems. Its good disease resistance makes it a relatively easy variety to manage, with a simple preventative application of Bordeaux mixture against peach leaf curl and monitoring for pests.

Thanks to Arboriverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , growers benefit from robust plants suitable for professional orchards. With the right rootstock, such as GF677 for dry and calcareous soils , the Morton nectarine tree guarantees balanced growth and high-quality production . Its high economic potential , strong demand on the fresh market and its ability to be processed into jams and pastries make it a profitable and attractive variety for demanding growers.

Investing in the Morton nectarine tree means choosing a reliable and high-performance variety, perfectly suited to the needs of the French market. If you want to buy Morton nectarine plants , trust Arboriverse , your expert in high-quality fruit plants.