Understanding Nectarine SeasonalityAcross South Africa, the nectarine season runs from late November to April. The exact timing shifts with elevation and latitude, so a tree in the Western Cape ripens weeks before one in Mpumalanga. That answers the question of when...
Understanding Nectarine RipeningThe Science of Fruit RipeningEvery nectarine carries a chemical signal called ethylene. This plant hormone determines whether a piece of fruit develops its full sweetness or stays locked in a rigid, sour state. We often assume that time...
Why Start a Nectarine from a Pit?The Genetic Gamble: What You Might GetA nectarine pit holds an uncertain future. Unlike grafted trees, a seed carries combined traits from two parents. The resulting fruit might be smaller, tangier, or indistinguishable from a wild...