Fig peach is a type of fruit tree, as are nectarine and pubescent. A special feature of the variety is the fruits, which are flat, like a fluffy cake, and resemble turnips. This variety of peaches comes from China, and they are commonly called: saucer or Fergana peach, but more often, Chinese turnip. Fig peach is characterized by greater winter hardiness of buds and buds, ripens at the end of August, and requires a long, warm summer. Therefore, in the Moscow region, the fruits do not have time to gain taste and ripen. The fruits are heavy, 90-140 g.
History of the origin of the Fig Peach
Fig peach can often be found under other names - Chinese turnip, Flat, Paraguayan.
Interest in it is explained by the unusual shape of the fruit - they are flattened, similar to donuts.
Contrary to popular belief, the Fig Peach is not a peach-fig hybrid. It is obtained from wild varieties of peach trees growing in Central Asia.
Did you know? For a long time, Europeans called the peach the Persian apple, since it was brought to Europe through Persia from China. The name was later shortened to one word.
How to store fruit
The selection and storage of Chinese plums is very important for its further use. A fresh product should smell delicious and have a rich aroma. Unripe fruit has a sour odor or no odor at all. The fruit should be slightly soft when pressed with your hand. If the surface does not return to its original shape after pressing, the fruit is overripe.
A natural product that has not been chemically or otherwise processed will have a slightly asymmetrical shape. The ripest fruits are yellow-burgundy or orange-red. You should not buy or store fruit with purple veins.
Do not stack peaches on top of each other, as they will wrinkle and begin to spoil. If you constantly move fruit, it will spoil faster. It is possible to store ripe fruits in the refrigerator. The pulp is stored in the freezer in separate containers.
The peeled pulp is frozen separately. If you store the slices in the refrigerator or freezer for a long time, a bitter taste will develop. Maximum storage time is up to 30 days.
Description and characteristics of Fig peach
The tree of the described variety is tall - it can reach a height of up to 5 m. It has a spreading crown. The annual increase is small.
The leaves of the Fig Peach are lanceolate, with a dark green upper plate and a gray lower leaf.
Flowering occurs in mid-April. The flowers are similar in appearance to those that appear on rose hips. They are pale pink in color.
The fruit ripens in July - August. The diameter of the fruit reaches 5–7 cm. The average weight of one piece is 100–150 g. The fruits are covered with a dense, pubescent skin. Its color can vary from yellow to red, depending on the variety. The pulp is characterized by high taste characteristics and juiciness.
Fruits are grown for fresh consumption, use in various culinary dishes, desserts, and canning.
- Fig peach has a number of advantages:
- high taste and unusual shape of the fruit;
- small bone;
- ability to tolerate transportation well;
- high level of frost resistance;
- persistent immunity.
- Among the disadvantages it is worth mentioning:
- tendency to be affected by gray rot;
- Not long shelf life of fruits.
Diversity of culture
Let's look at some species that are widespread in the regions of Russia.
Type of peach Vladimir
The tree is low, harvests are regular. Resistant to serious fruit diseases. The fruits are smooth, the weight of one berry is 180 g, the pulp is sweet and juicy, cream color.
Variety Sweet Cap
The tree is low, early fruiting. The yield is immediate. The fruits weigh 140-150 grams, have a pleasant, sweet and sour taste.
Nikitsky flat
Rich taste, small seed, good harvest - what more could a gardener dream of! The weight of a round peach is 80-120 g. The species does not like transportation and is not stored for long.
Variety Saturn
The large Saturn species from South America were developed in 1820, and because of their excellent properties, gardeners from all over the world instantly fell in love with them.
Columnar peach
Modern species have several columnar ones that are easy to cover for the winter. But in the suburbs they lack warmth and light to develop their taste. The delicate tree has already been grown in Voronezh.
UFO-3
Early ripening variety. Fruit weight - 100-120 g. The pulp is snow-white. In fact, the entire fruit is covered with a reddish blush, with a soft yellow color visible somewhere. The pubescence is very weak. The species is resistant to winter, the fruit is resistant to cracking. Refers to industrial grades. The taste has honey notes.
The gardener posted a video review of UFO-3 fig peaches:
Saturn
Peach "Saturn" - this species was created by breeders from South America. Mid-August is the time of fruit ripening. They are distinguished by good taste, frost resistance and, in addition, the sale of this species is very profitable.
Columnar fig peach
This species is characterized by small tree growth and early fruiting. The fruits of the Columnar variety are richly red in color, and their weight reaches 150 g. The crown of trees of this species is similar to a cylinder, so it is often used as an ornamental plant.
Vladimir
Fig peach “Vladimir”. Already at the beginning of August you can collect the first fruits. These fig peaches are large because they weigh up to 180 g. The Vladimir variety can be distinguished from other varieties by looking at its appearance: it is hard not to notice the snow-white skin with a reddish blush, creamy flesh and flattened shape.
It is one of the most resistant to diseases and frost, so its distribution range is wide. Opinions about these fruits are positive. It is recommended to take it. The price of one seedling reaches an average of 250 rubles.
Nikitsky
This species is considered the best for Russia. Suitable for harsh climates. Fruits are red in color, creamy flesh. Weight - 120 g
Fig peach Belmondo
Late flowering. The fruits ripen in the second half of August. The taste of the fruit is dessert-like, ideal for lovers of sweets. The fruit has slight pubescence. The fruit pulp has a light yellow tint.
The tree of this species is small, but has a spreading crown. Belmondo's description of the fig peach looks great and at the same time has a mild taste.
Sweet Cup
A feature of this species is its early ripeness. The fruits appear within 3-4 years. Fruits in mid-August. Maturation is friendly. The taste is sweet and sour. The skin color is red, the flesh is warm and snow-white. Weight - 150 g.
Beneficial and harmful properties of Fig peaches
Fig peach is considered a very healthy fruit due to its rich chemical composition. It contains vitamins A, C, E, PP, H, group B, beta-carotene, as well as minerals: sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iodine, fluorine, zinc, iron, etc.
- When consumed regularly, the described fruit can produce the following positive effects on the human body:
- replenishes vitamins and minerals;
- cleanses the intestines;
- strengthens the immune system;
- normalizes the activity of the nervous system;
- prevents the development of cancer, heart and vascular diseases, anemia, vitamin deficiency, obesity;
- improves metabolism;
- has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- improves sperm quality;
- enhances lactation.
A fruit can have both benefits and harm, but its harmful properties appear only when eaten excessively, or if a person has an individual intolerance. Peaches should not be eaten by people diagnosed with diabetes or allergies.
The best varieties of Fig peach
The most popular varieties are UFO-3, Saturn, Vladimir, Belmondo, Kolonovidny, Nikitsky. Get to know some of them better.
Learn about the health and health benefits of peach.
Columnar fig peach
Columnar peach is valuable because it has a compact crown and takes up little space on the site . The trees grow up to 2 m in height. The first harvest can be harvested in the second or third year after planting the seedling in the ground. The fruits appear in July - August. Average weight is 150–170 g. They taste sweet and juicy. Their stone is small - 3-4 g. Transportability is low. Productivity - 6–10 kg per plant.
The main advantages of the variety are self-pollination and a high level of frost resistance (up to -30°C). It is suitable for growing in warm regions and areas belonging to the middle zone. It is possible to cultivate trees in containers.
Saturn
This variety has vigorous trees (up to 5-6 m) with strong immunity. They are distinguished by an increased level of frost resistance and high yield.
The fruits appear in the second half of August. They weigh 100–120 g. Their skin is yellow with a red blush. The inner part is characterized by juiciness and sweetness; it contains a small bone. Taste qualities on a five-point tasting scale are rated at 4.8 points. The fruits tolerate transportation well and have a beautiful presentation.
Belmondo
The variety was produced by American breeders. Bears fruit in August; they are large, reaching a weight of 100 g. The color of peaches is yellow with a red blush, slightly pubescent. Their insides are also yellow, juicy, and sweet. Has a small bone. Tasters rated the taste at 4.6 points.
Belmondo peach trees tolerate low temperatures well. They begin to bloom late.
Vladimir
Trees of this growth are characterized by weak growth, spreading crown, medium ripening period and high productivity. The fruits can be harvested in the first 10 days of August. They are large, 140–160 g each. The skin is yellow, dense, and slightly pubescent. The inner part is yellow, characterized by sweetness, juiciness, and fibrousness.
The advantage of the Vladimir variety is strong immunity, the disadvantage is the average level of frost resistance.
Nikitsky
The trees grow medium in height, with a spreading crown. In August they bear large, slightly pubescent yellow fruits with a burgundy outer color. The inside is creamy and distinguished by its sweetness, aroma, and juiciness. The stone is small and can be separated from the pulp without any problems.
Nikitsky peaches are valued due to their high fertility, ease of care, tasty fruits, and ability to tolerate low temperatures.
UFO-3
Italian early winter-hardy variety. Ripening occurs in early July. The trees grow to medium height; their crown is spreading.
The average weight of the fruit is 100 g. The skin is yellow, 65–90% of the surface is covered with a red coating. The interior is white with red streaks. It is characterized by excellent taste, honey flavor, and juiciness.
The fruits tolerate transportation well and do not crack after ripening. The variety is characterized by average frost resistance, high productivity, and strong immunity.
What varieties are there?
All subspecies of fig peach are not only similar in shape and size, but also in agrotechnical characteristics; they are frost-resistant and tolerate return frosts well. Let's learn about the features of several of the most popular varieties.
UFO-3
Early ripening variety. Fruit weight is 100-120 g. The pulp is white. Almost the entire fruit is covered with a red blush, only here and there a pale yellow color is visible. The pubescence is very weak. The variety is winter-hardy, the fruits are resistant to cracking. Refers to industrial grades. The taste has honey notes.
The gardener provided a video review of the Ufo-3 variety of fig peach:
Nikitsky
This variety is considered the best for Russia. Suitable for harsh climates. The fruits are reddish in color and the flesh is creamy. Weight – 120 g.
Vladimir
A variety resistant to most peach diseases. The crown is medium spreading. The variety is resistant to frost. The color is pale yellow, the sides are red. Weight – 180 g.
Sweet Cup
The peculiarity of this variety is its early ripening. The fruits appear in 3-4 years. Fruiting - mid-August. Maturation is friendly. The taste is sweet and sour. The color of the skin is burgundy, the flesh is tender, white. Weight – 150 g.
Saturn
The plant is spreading, very beautiful, especially during the flowering period. The fruits are not very large - up to 100 g. When ripe, the fruits become yellow, with a light pink blush appearing on the sides. The variety is frost-resistant, the fruits are well transported. This is one of the most popular varieties among gardeners.
An overview of the Saturn fig peach can be seen in the video below:
Columnar peach “Fig”
The trees are low, with cylindrical crowns. The tree looks decorative. Fruits early. The fruits are deep red. Weight – 150 g.
Belmondo
The tree is not tall, the crown is spreading. Blooms later than other varieties. Ripening – second half of August. Very good dessert taste. Yellow fruits are decorated with a red blush. Weight – 120-140 g. Taste – delicate, pulp – juicy.
You can see the Belmondo fig peach in the video below:
Growing Fig Peach
To successfully grow a tree, you need to select and prepare a suitable place for it, purchase a high-quality seedling and comply with the deadlines and technology.
Site selection and soil preparation
Abundant harvests are possible only if the seedling is planted in a well-lit area, sheltered from the winds. Groundwater should not lie close to it. The optimal level of occurrence is no closer than 1.5 m to the surface of the earth.
Important! Flat peach produces the best yields when grown in black soil or loam.
Preparing the site and digging a hole must be done in the autumn. The hole must be made 60 cm wide and 50 cm deep. The soil that was removed when digging the hole must be fertilized with mineral and organic fertilizers. One of the options for the nutrient mixture: organic fertilizers (2 buckets) + wood ash (1 l) + superphosphate (1 tbsp.) + potassium sulfate (0.5 tbsp.). When planting in autumn, the last component should be replaced with potassium chloride.
Choosing a quality seedling
The purchase of planting material must be carried out in a specialized store or a well-established nursery. It is better to take one- or two-year-old seedlings - older specimens will take too long to adapt to new conditions.
As for the timing of planting, it is better to plant a heat-loving peach in April, making sure that there will be no more frosts and that the weather is consistently warm outside. It is important to have time to place the plant in the ground before it enters the growing season. If planted in spring, the tree will be able to adapt well to winter and successfully withstand low temperatures.
Learn about the properties of dried peach.
Autumn planting can only be done in regions with a warm climate. Optimal time: end of September - first half of October.
Fig peach planting scheme
When planting a seedling, the following steps should be taken:
- Drive a planting stake into the hole.
- Place a drainage layer of crushed stone, gravel, and broken brick on the bottom.
- Pour the soil into a mound, filling 2/3 of the hole.
- Place the seedling on the hill, distributing the roots evenly. The root collar should rise 5 cm above the soil level.
- Fill the hole with earth to the top.
- Dig a watering circle in the near-trunk area, which will prevent water from spreading and falling directly under the trunk.
- Pour 20 liters of water into the circle.
- Tie the trunk to the stake.
- Place a layer of mulch in the tree trunk area.
If several trees are planted on a site, a distance of 3 m must be maintained between them. The recommended row spacing is 4-5 m.
How to plant a variety
The fig peach, like the rest of its relatives, is native to China, so most varieties prefer warm temperatures. However, science does not stand still. On sale you can find seedlings adapted to cool regions. Modern varieties are frost-resistant and resistant to return frosts.
Attention! Peaches are cross-pollinated. To get a full harvest, you need to plant several different varieties on the site.
Growing Fergana peach is not difficult. The main thing is to choose suitable seedlings. It is better to purchase from a nursery located in the same area as the future planting site. You should purchase annual plants. The older the seedling, the worse it takes root.
In the southern regions, it is advisable to plant in the fall, before the onset of persistent cold weather. This time will give young trees the opportunity to fully adapt to their new “place of residence” before winter, take root and begin to grow actively when spring comes.
In cool areas, peach takes root only with spring planting. The soil and air should warm up well.
The planting process itself goes like this:
- A pre-prepared pit is filled with a substrate for fruit trees, consisting of organic matter and mineral additives. A mound is formed in the center.
- A young peach is placed on top of the hill. Straighten the roots.
- Cover the planting with soil, leaving the root collar on the surface, and compact it.
- At the end of the work, the hole is watered with water and sprinkled with mulch.
Aftercare
Caring for a tree involves carrying out such procedures as watering, fertilizing, pruning, preventive treatments against diseases and harmful insects, and shelter for the winter.
Watering should be done 3-4 times per season. Recommended water consumption is 30–40 liters per plant.
Regular feeding should begin when the tree has been growing in the ground for 2 years . Complete mineral fertilizers should be applied annually, and organic fertilizers every 2-3 years.
For a plant that has not reached the age of 5 years, it is necessary to form a crown. In the second year after planting, you should cut off the branches, leaving 50 cm. The next year, you need to cut off last year's growth by a third.
After the crown has been formed, sanitary and maintenance pruning must be done every spring and autumn. During their course, all branches that show signs of disease, are damaged, withered, grow incorrectly, or are twisted are removed.
Each pruning procedure is completed by lubricating the cut areas with garden varnish or the “RanNet” preparation..
To prevent the peach from getting sick or being affected by harmful insects, it is necessary to resort to preventive measures. One of them is preventive treatments. They are produced 2–4 times per season: before buds open, along the green cone, in the bud extension phase, after flowering.
To prevent diseases, use Bordeaux mixture, “Zineb”, “Horus”, “Soon”, “Hom”, “Abiga-Peak”. Treatments against pests are carried out with Aktara, Karate Zeon, and Insegar.
In order for the heat-loving peach to successfully survive the winter, it is prepared for winter in a special way : it is pruned, whitened with a special solution, the trunk is insulated with pine spruce branches, spunbond, burlap, and the root system is insulated with a 20-centimeter layer of mulch.
Did you know? The peach was the first fruit eaten by man while on the moon.
How to grow fig peach from seed
In addition to growing from a seedling, flat figs can be grown from seeds . It should be warned that this process is not easy. In addition, during such cultivation the tree may not produce very tasty fruits. It is better to plant not in a container, but directly in open ground. It is advisable to do this in the fall.
To remove the seeds, only healthy fruits are selected that do not have spots on the skin or signs of rot. The fruit is wrapped in a damp cloth and kept in such conditions for a week, after which the stone is removed, washed, inspected for defects and placed in a container with water for another week, adding fresh water daily. After drying, the seeds are ready for planting. They need to be split and the core removed.
For planting to be successful, it is recommended to plant not just one seed, but 10–20 at a distance of 5–10 cm from each other. The embedment depth should not be too large. After placing in the ground, the seeds should be sprinkled with a layer of leaves. Young shoots should appear in the spring.
Such trees begin to bear fruit in the second or third year . Caring for them is the same as for those plants that have grown from seedlings.
Description of the hybrid
In fact, this is not a hybrid at all, as many people think, and figs have nothing to do with this species. In fact, according to breeders, it is not possible to cross figs with peach trees. Fig peach (pictured) is a type of regular peach.
It looks like a fig and has a characteristic flattened shape, the fluff on its skin is much shorter than on ordinary varieties. An important advantage is that this species has a very small seed, its weight is no more than 4 g. Its fruits are very aromatic and tasty, large (the diameter of the “saucer” reaches 7 cm, and its height is 4 cm), weighing 80-120 g The fig peach differs from the usual one in the color of its pulp - it is mostly white (in some varieties it is yellow). It also has an excellent taste, evenly distributed throughout the fruit, which is not typical for ordinary types. They are characterized by a pronounced taste only under the skin itself, and the closer to the seed, the taste will be lost and “dissolved”.
Due to its flattened shape, it is much easier to transport. In general, the fig peach has most of the characteristics that the regular variety lacks.
In European countries, the fig peach is often called a “doughnut” because of the pit - when you remove it, you are left with a neat hole exactly in the middle of the fruit.
A useful property is that most varieties of this species are late and the fruit ripening period is mid-August. Together with high frost resistance (both buds and branches), which significantly exceeds the frost resistance of ordinary species, it better tolerates spring frosts and produces large harvests in years with difficult winters.
But there is also a minus: the species is very poorly adapted to fight gray mold, although it copes well with other diseases.
Tips for harvesting and storing crops
If peaches are planned to be consumed or processed immediately, they can be picked from the trees at full ripeness - when they are not very soft and juicy. If you plan to transport and long-term storage of fruits, then they need to be harvested in a slightly unripe form.
To remove a peach from a tree, you need to grab it with your palm, turn it a little, as if twisting it from a branch, and then gently pull it down. Fruits removed from the tree should be placed in plastic boxes.
Important! To avoid damage to the delicate skin of the flat peach, you must wear gloves when harvesting.
To ripen, the fruits can be laid out on a horizontal surface in a warm room, or packed in a paper bag along with an apple or banana.
In room conditions, fruits can be stored for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator - up to a week. They should be stored in a fruit tray, with each fruit wrapped in paper.
So, now you know what else the Fig Peach is called and that it is not crossed with figs, but grown from wild varieties of peach trees. In the countryside, you can grow it from a seedling or seed. To obtain an abundant and high-quality harvest, regular care is required.
Pests and diseases
The most common diseases of fig peach:
- powdery mildew;
- gray rot;
- leaf curl.
When suffering from powdery mildew, all parts of the tree may become covered with a white coating. Gray rot damages the ovary. Leaf curl can occur in damp and cool weather. At the same time, the leaves curl and gradually fall off. A tree can be saved from these diseases by pruning the affected branches, as well as by treating it with pesticides.
Healthy flowering tree
To protect a tree from many diseases and problems, it is necessary to choose the right seedling that is initially strong and disease-free. An important point is proper care from the first years of growth of fig peach.
