Fruit tree polination

[Gemma]

So unfortunately my 3yr old Peach tree died this year, leaving my nectarine tree without a companion for pollination.
My nectarine tree is self fertile, but the nursery advised me on adding a "companion tree" and that was the peach tree that died.
I started researching for replacing the dead tree but as usual I ran into a wall of contradictions.
Some articles say all my self fertile tree needs are other plants that attract pollinators. It clearly states that a plum tree or a lavender plant even, can be paired with my Nectarine due to the fact that it is self fertile, other articles say it must be another variety of the same species.
Then there is the blooming time to consider and even here no one seems to agree, some say to choose a tree that blooms at the same time (make sense to me) other advise to chose staggering bloom time to prolong pollinators attraction.

So in all my reading I came to the conclusion that the difference in opinion is because one side believes that to properly pollinate a "self fertile" tree, a pollinator has to go from the blooms of one tree, to the blooms of the other tree and mix pollen, I believe that's true for "non self fertile " trees, and the other side believes pollinators has to jump from one bloom to another of the same tree, if that's the case I do not need to add a second tree, cause of the other fruit trees near by....
What do you suggest I do?

 

[Meadowlark]

I don't have a nectarine tree but do have other "self-fertile" fruit trees. I can confidently say that every "self-fertile" tree I have ever grown benefits from a nearby companion tree that has like genetic characteristic....no matter what the "other side" claims.

I'm also convinced that for the companion tree to be most effective, its bloom cycle should overlap or better coincide with the host tree.

My suggestion: replace the peach tree with one that does this.

 

[DiggersJo]

Can't see why we would have such a thing as a self-fertile (self-pollinating) tree/plant if they didn't do just that. From what I understand they may be better producing with other peach trees around, but are okay without

 

[Meadowlark]

... From what I understand they may be better producing with other peach trees around, but are okay without

It all depends on what you want.

If you had a "self-fertile", and knew it would produce substantially more fruit with a pollinator, would you not plant a companion?

Some will not. I will every time because I've experienced the results.

 

[cpp gardener]

If it produces enough for your needs then you don't need a pollinator. If you want maximum production, plant another tree (peach or nectarine).

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Peaches and nectarines don't really grow well here, so I know little about them, but I wonder if they are of a size that artificial pollination is possible if you get to work with a feather?

 

[Gemma]

Peaches and nectarines don't really grow well here, so I know little about them, but I wonder if they are of a size that artificial pollination is possible if you get to work with a feather?

Hand pollination was my intention, I've done it with other plants using a small brush, but that would only work if this self fertile tree does not require pollen from a different, "same specie" tree, and that's the ultimate question I'm trying to have answered .

 

[Meadowlark]

Hand pollination was my intention, I've done it with other plants using a small brush, but that would only work if this self fertile tree does not require pollen from a different, "same specie" tree, and that's the ultimate question I'm trying to have answered .

Your original nursery knew what they were doing when they advised:

...but the nursery advised me on adding a "companion tree" and that was the peach tree that died.

 

[tomkat]

Peach trees dont need a pollinator companion tree like apples do. They just need bees or strong winds to move the pollen around in the flower. If you're not getting many bees or strong wind you could take a long stick and smack the blooms when they're open the same way you do with tomato blooms. That should help move the pollen around inside the flower.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Peach trees dont need a pollinator companion tree like apples do

I used to get work apple picking. In the orchard they used to graft a bit of James Grieve on as a pollinator. Nice eating apples, but not commercial because they don't travel well, so we could help ourselves to them.
Do you think it might be effective doing something similar with peaches? It would save having two trees, one a good pollinator, but possibly less productive .

 

[Meadowlark]

Do you think it might be effective doing something similar with peaches?

A second tree is far more reliable, less work, more productive. Even though most are self-fertile, they still benefit from having a second pollinator nearby, especially for bigger yields and better fruit quality. I've experienced it here and science confirms.

Do You Need Two Peach Trees For Pollination To Maximize Your Fruit Harvest?

Wondering if you need two peach trees for successful pollination? This article explores the intricacies of peach tree pollination, explaining the vital roles of self-pollinating and cross-pollinating varieties. Learn how factors like variety, climate, and bloom timing affect fruit yield and...

treefluent.com

 

[tomkat]

I used to get work apple picking. In the orchard they used to graft a bit of James Grieve on as a pollinator. Nice eating apples, but not commercial because they don't travel well, so we could help ourselves to them.
Do you think it might be effective doing something similar with peaches? It would save having two trees, one a good pollinator, but possibly less productive .

It might be worth a try if she's skilled at grafting. Probably easier to just buy a second tree. Walmart marked down their fruit trees to $15 around Memorial Day. All they had though were a few Elbertas and Golden Delicious' and I wasn't interested in either one of those.

 

[cpp gardener]

You can also plant 2 or more trees in the same hole to get more varieties and better pollination.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

You can also plant 2 or more trees in the same hole to get more varieties and better pollination.

That surprises me, I would have expected the competition to mean you would get two or more trees barely worth having. Thinking about it I guess most Americans have plenty of room for two trees, grafting might be more useful in a small English garden.

 

[Meadowlark]

That surprises me, I would have expected the competition to mean you would get two or more trees barely worth having.

Agree. I would never do that. Any gain from pollination would be more than offset by loss of growth due to the comp for nutrients and water.