Differences and similarities between peaches and nectarines

Many people like peaches and nectarines due to their delicate taste and pleasant aroma. But not everyone knows how they differ from each other.

First you need to understand what is the difference between the fruits. Peaches have a pleasant yellow-red color. Their flesh is sweet. Outside, it is covered with a fluffy skin. Plants need it to protect them from pests and diseases. The skin of the fruit is rather thin and spoils easily. Inside each peach there is a large pit. The fruits are eaten fresh, frozen and dried. The seeds are used to obtain peach oil. It is actively used in medicine and cosmetology.

Nectarine tastes as good as peach. At the same time, the skin is smooth, like a plum. In addition, it is firmer than peach. Since nectarines do not have a protective fluffy layer, it is the rind that protects the delicate pulp from pests.

Many believe that nectarines were bred by breeders. They are even called peach-cherry-plum or peach-plum hybrids. But this is not at all the case. They appeared as a result of natural mutation of trees.

Nectarines contain more nutrients than peaches. Also, they are not that sweet. Due to the fact that nectarines contain less sugar, they are recommended for diabetics, as well as for people who have problems with excess weight.

Delicious and juicy nectarines are much more convenient to transport from place to place. Due to the fact that their skin is dense and elastic, they are practically not damaged during transportation. Peaches, in turn, are recommended to be eaten immediately after harvest. They will not lie in drawers or in the refrigerator for a long time. It is also quite difficult to transport them.

The trees on which the peaches and nectarines grow belong to the Pink family. Asia is considered their homeland. Now trees are grown in America and southern Europe. Peaches and nectarines are thermophilic plants. Therefore, in cold countries it will be quite difficult to get a rich harvest.

There are no significant differences between nectarines and peaches. Plants react equally negatively to extreme cold. But peaches are considered to be more frost-hardy. Therefore, many gardeners choose them for planting on their site.

Most varieties of nectarines are distinguished by their modest tree size. For such a compact tree, you can find a place on any site.

Experienced gardeners note that growing nectarines is more difficult than peaches, because they are very afraid of frost. Therefore, when preparing plants for winter, they have to be carefully covered. Gardeners have to protect from frost not only the roots, but also the trunks of trees. For this, burlap, spruce branches or other similar materials are used. Shelter is needed not only for young seedlings, but also for adult plants. To make it easier for trees to take root in cold regions, breeders are engaged in the withdrawal of frost-resistant varieties.

It is also worth noting that nectarines are more strongly affected by various fungal diseases. Most often they suffer from fruit rot or powdery mildew. They are also more difficult to treat. Therefore, in spring and summer, plants are recommended to be treated with fungicides.

When growing nectarines and peaches on your site, it is recommended to plant them at a great distance from each other. Otherwise, they will constantly get sick. As a rule, they are located on opposite sides of the garden.

When the time comes for the trees to bear fruit, the area with peaches should be inspected regularly. The fruits ripen rather quickly. If they are not ripped off in time, they fall to the ground and become damaged. Fallen peaches attract insects, which then begin to eat the fruits on the branches. To prevent this from happening, the crop must be harvested regularly. There is no such problem with nectarines. They stay on the branches longer. In addition, their skin is denser. Because of this, the fruits crack much less often.