Prunus persica var. nucipersica 'Fantasia'
fruitFantasia is a large freestone yellow nectarine bred in California, with deep red skin, golden-yellow firm flesh, and a sweet-tart flavor that gets sweeter the longer the fruit hangs on the tree. The variety is a mid to late season producer ripening in late July, with bright pink spring blossoms that bring early color to the orchard.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 5 days
Harvest
~24 months
to first harvest
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
15-20 ft (standard), 10-12 ft (dwarf)
Planting Depth
Graft union 2 in above soil
Soil pH
6.0-6.8
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
When to Fertilize
Split feed: at bud break and again 6 weeks later
Fertilizer
10-10-10 broadcast 8-12 in from trunk; 1-2 lb per mature tree per application
Plant in full sun on well-drained loam in zones 5 to 9. Set the graft union 2 in above soil; stake young trees. Nectarines bear on one-year-old wood, so prune hard every winter to keep a vase-shaped open center. Thin fruit aggressively to one nectarine every 6 to 8 in along the branch; thinning is the single biggest driver of fruit size. Self-fertile, so a single tree bears.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first harvest
Jul 19 · Year 3
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Apply copper or chlorothalonil fungicide in late autumn after leaf drop and again in spring before bud swell
Prune for airflow, remove mummies in dormant season, harvest before fruit softens
Keep trunk base clear of mulch; paint with white latex to reflect heat; inspect for gummy ooze
Kaolin clay at petal fall; remove early drops weekly
Fantasia ripens late July. Pick when the background color shifts from green to yellow under the deep red blush and the fruit yields slightly to gentle thumb pressure near the stem. The pit lifts free of the flesh when fully ripe; if pits cling, leave fruit on the tree another day or two. Fantasia keeps developing sweetness the longer it hangs, so leave fruit on the tree as long as possible.
About 44 calories per 100 g with 1.7 g fiber, 5.4 mg vitamin C, 201 mg potassium, and 332 IU vitamin A. Nectarines have notably more vitamin C and beta-carotene than peaches, and the smooth skin (which is fully edible) carries the most antioxidants.
Eat the flesh, not the pit. The kernel inside the pit contains amygdalin, a cyanide-releasing compound - discard the pits and never eat or crush the seeds inside.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
Year 2
Year 3