Fortunately, the peach tree is a self-fertile fruit tree and one plant will serve in producing fruits but only after three to four years of planting. Deciduous tree of the peach grows best in full sunlight, pH 6.0-7 and sandy soil with a temperature requirement that is more moderate than tropical but it has no comparison for lemons around trees as low temperature sensitivity of cold climate. Peach trees number in the dozens when it comes to varieties, and there are even dwarf cultivars that will survive nicely in a large container. While peaches are edible for humans and pets, all parts of the peach tree except its fruit contain toxins.
How to grow peaches
Plant peaches in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered warm position ideally to the south or west of clear walled. Top dressing each year both feeds the soil and suppresses weeds, while pruning is best done in late summer after fruiting.
Where to grow peach trees?
One of the UKs hardiest fruit trees (other than at its far North limits) but with early blossom, therefore susceptible to frost damage. Given this, you will have the most chance of success if you plant your peach tree against a south or west wall and fan-train it so that its branches are sticking outward and can soak up as much heat as possible from the wall.
Or, purchase a dwarf peach tree which can be grown in a container and moved undercover during winter. For the remainder of its first year it should be placed in a sunny spot, protected from strong winds. Peaches can also be grown in an unheated greenhouse so you could have them set up either under the soil or a pot. Peach trees in the ground will require a greenhouse, but those grown in pots can be brought into and out of there periodically (or spend some or all year round inside).
How to plant peaches?
Plant bare-root peach trees any day from November through March. Container grown trees can be put into the ground at any time, although not during frost or extreme heat/drought. Dig in plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure before planting. Planting in clay soil enhances drainage by placing rubble at the base of where you’re going to plant. Make sure the top of your root ball is even with ground level and that stem should be at least 20 cm away from the wall. Get a wire framework ready to tie the stems into as they grow.
When planting a peach tree In a pot, select a pot with at least 45 cm size. Add pea gravel to the bottom for extra drainage and stability, followed by a soil-based compost like John Innes No. 3 Place your tree in this hole with its root ball level with the surface of the surrounding soil mass. A space between the compost and top of the pot for watering. Water it well and let it drain.
Peach Tree Care
The basic care requirements for planting peach trees are :-
Light
Peach trees need full sun. They also can become susceptible to various pest and disease problems as they are no longer free-growing but grown in shade.
Soil
Peach trees do require excellent drainage and soil on the sandy side. Around the tree a heavy organic mulch of leaf mold or compost will help deter weeds and keep the soil in good, slightly acidic condition.
Mulching
At the end of spring, sprinkle a 7 cm mulch of well-rotted compost or manure at ground level under established ground grown peach trees. This will aid in preventing the soil from drying out, and it also helps keep weeds at bay as well as providing some minerals.
Water
Water peach trees regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy during its initial 2 years for establishment.
Temperature and Humidity
Peaches prefer cooler climates and thrive in USDA growing zones 5 through 8 (although this range can be broadened to include popular selections for more northern zones – some hardy as far north as zone 4). Whereas apricots grow best near the equator, happily skittering over much of California from San Francisco Bay southward.
Peaches require a minimum of 600 chilling hours under conditions in which temperatures fall to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures of below zero can kill the trees if they occur long enough. Peaches are able to withstand humid conditions, but too much moisture can promote various fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Add a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer around your peach trees each spring. Each year thereafter for standard mature peach trees, add one pound up to a maximum of 10 pounds.
Pruning
You might think it silly to take out a lot of healthy wood from a big, bushy peach tree but it’s the only way we can manage fruit size and get enough light into where the good branches have grown with many leaves. The number of light hours that make it to fruiting branches after pruning is crucial for the flowering potential in next year’s season. Trimming a peach tree may not follow the same methods as cutting other fruit trees.
Finished peach tree shaping in a vase pattern. To accomplish this, thin peach fruit to 6 inches apart and prune y-topped trees creating several spaced main branches forming a vase around an open center for sun and air. The center of the tree also may have branches growing straight down or horizontal that will need to be removed as well, using sterilized long-handled pruners (loppers) or a pruning saw.
Peach trees should not be pruned in the dormant stage because it will reduce cold hardiness. If done correctly, peach trees should be pruned yearly when the buds begin to show just pink. Any other middle growth can be eliminated too, but this may only be done after any time.
Harvesting
When the skin of fully coloured peach fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure near the stem, they are ripe and ready for picking. The fruit should lift easily from the tree, simply cup it in your hand and pick. Many of the fruits require regular checking as they ripen–not all do so at once and protect the crop from birds and squirrels.
The fruit is best eaten as soon after picking (or while still warm from the sun). If harvested before they are allowed to fully ripen, they can be ripened indoors, but the taste will not compare with tree-ripened fruits. That’s why nothing you get in the stores can ever beat a fresh off the tree peach.
Pests and diseases
Peaches are prone to a variety of pests and diseases like many stone fruits.
- Peach leaf curl makes leaves feel bumpy and distorted, then the affected leaves drop which may put up with the tree off a little bit due to less vigour available for crop production. Rain splashes spread the disease in late winter and spring. Tips on saving the tree from rain splashes: Transport potted plants under cover, and protect outdoor-grown trees with a film. Find out how with this video (above) featuring Alan Titchmarsh on dealing and prevention of peach leaf curl.
- Silver leaf disease is another such condition caused by a fungal element entering the tree through cut stems or wounds. Keep an eye out for silvery leaves and branches dying back, remove infected limbs as they appear and disinfect pruning tools to prevent the disease from spreading elsewhere.
- Brown spots or small holes appear on the leaves over time due to bacterial canker, plus dieback of shoots and sunken dead patch in the bar. Prune off damaged growth and clean pruning tools after using them.
- For example, aphids have dozens of natural predators like birds and wasps – so they should be allowed to leave them in large numbers sitting on a leaf.
- Peaches grown in a greenhouse or a conservatory can get red spider mite. This mite does well in dry situations, so moisten regularly to increase humidity.
FAQ
Q- How long does it take for a peach tree to produce fruit?
A tree grown from seed can take four or more years to fruit, A 2-4 year old nursery plant/tree will begin bearing fruits two-four years after planting.
Q- Do I have to plant 2 peach trees in order for them to bear fruit?
Peaches – self-pollinating/self-fertile, One tree for fruit production
Q- Are peach trees hard to grow?
To be fair, peach trees are not natural to North America and yes they can get a little fussy when it comes to what type of weather that you plant them in. Sun, space and airy surroundings are requirements that can be difficult to deliver in your backyard.