In order to grow peach normally and get a good harvest, you need to understand the peculiarities of agricultural technology for such a crop. The name of this plant comes from the ancient Roman Malum persicum. This tree is classified as a heat-loving plant, so in the northern regions it is grown only under artificial climate conditions. Depending on how and where the peach grows, the flowering time varies. You can see what this plant looks like in the photo. The peach tree blooms similar to an apricot - only the buds are pink. Gardeners often post images of blooming peach trees on their property.
Description of the peach tree
The familiar peach is not a natural plant. The tree resulted from the hybridization of many species from the plum genus. The closest relatives among vegetation from the wild are almonds. Peach flowers appear at the first sign of warming. The plant is drought-resistant and tolerates heat well. In Russia, peaches grow in the Krasnodar, Caucasus, Dagestan and Crimean regions. For classic ungrafted peach species, the normal climate must meet a number of characteristics:
- Temperatures from June to September should not fall below 24ºC.
- In winter, peach normally only withstands frosts down to -10ºC.
- There should be no return frosts - after flowering it leads to death.
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If the temperature in the winter season drops below -25ºC, then the plant must be covered. During normal wintering, the fruit tree will simply freeze and will not recover. But gardeners, by breeding new hybrids and using resistant rootstocks, achieve harvests even in the Moscow region.
The following varieties of peaches are suitable for central Russia:
- "Cardinal"
- "Collins"
- "Kremlevsky";
- "Red-cheeked";
- "Kyiv Early".
On a note!
To grow a fruit plant and let it bloom in northern latitudes, it must be protected from the cold. For such protection, polystyrene foam or foam is used.
Tree "Common peach" in the garden: appearance, the most popular varieties for planting in the country
The flowering of the common peach ends in April; its slightly serrated leaves are also of decorative value. In summer, delicious fruits appear, distinguished by juicy sweet pulp. Their appearance and size depend on the specific plant variety. Here is a description of the appearance and the most popular varieties of such trees for planting in the country:
- Fruit trees of the Prunus Persica grow up to 6 meters in height, but such sizes are difficult to achieve in our climatic conditions.
- The common peach is typically a small tree that produces peach-colored flowers in the spring.
- Dwarf varieties of Prunus Persica are very popular, reaching 1.5 meters in height and also show abundant flowering. Interestingly, the common name of the tree comes from the color of the inflorescences.
- Almost all varieties of common peach bear fruit very well in the garden.
- The fruit has a delicate peel and a characteristic color.
- In our climate, the common peach produces small fruits that, given sufficient sunlight, become very sweet and aromatic.
- The fruits of this fruit tree are also a valuable source of magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.
- Harvest date is August-October .
Fruit trees in the Prunus Persica family have many interesting varieties, including:
Common peach “Opora” (Reliance)
- Common peach “Opora” (Reliance)
Popular medium sized tree. The biggest advantage of this variety is its high frost resistance, which makes it suitable for use in any region of our country. Prunus Persica Reliance produces small, juicy fruits prized for their taste.
Common peach "Iskra"
- Common peach "Iskra"
Another medium-sized fruit tree. Peaches Prunus Persica Iskra are distinguished by rather large, very juicy fruits. The advantage of the variety is high fertility and visually attractive flowers. Has typical requirements, but is not as resistant to spring frosts as Reliance Peach . “Iskra” flowers are susceptible to freezing, which makes growing this variety difficult.
Common velvet peach (Velvet)
- Common velvet peach (Velvet)
These are fruit trees with the typical growing requirements for this species. Velvet Prunus Persica produces small, slightly flattened, sweet fruits. Proper pruning of peach ensures its high fertility, and the “Velvet” variety is valued mainly for its excellent taste.
Common peach "Harrow Beauty"
- Common peach "Harrow Beauty"
An interesting tree with very sweet, large fruits. Harrow Beauty peach blossoms may freeze - the plant needs protection from frost. Due to its low frost resistance, this variety is suitable for growing in warmer regions of our country. Relatively low requirements and large, juicy fruits make Prunus Persica Harrow Beauty a popular dessert variety.
What does a peach look like?
Peach is a straight-trunked deciduous tree that can reach a height of 9 m. But, on average, the height does not exceed 4-6 m. This parameter is strongly tied to the variety and the rootstock used. The diameter of the crown can reach up to 6 m - the branches grow densely, and the young plant can look like a shrub. But, during cultivation, many shoots are cut off while the peaches are still blooming. Features also include:
- The trunk has dense bark, red-brown in color. The structure is close to scaly surfaces.
- Young shoots are lighter than the main trunk and smooth to the touch; with age they become coarser.
- The root system without the use of a rootstock does not go deeper than 30-50 cm into the ground.
- The landscaping consists of elongated lanceolate leaves with a jagged edge and a smooth surface.
Visually, the common peach tree is very similar to its closest relative, the almond. This crop is classified as self-pollinating plants, therefore, with a large abundance of flowers, the yield is very high. According to rough estimates, the useful ovary and peaches on the tree are about 26-60.5% of the number of blossoming buds. A gradation generally accepted by gardeners based on the mass of hybrid fruits:
- very large – from 180 g;
- large – from 150 g;
- medium – from 90 g;
- small – from 60 g;
- very small – up to 60 g.
The shape of the fruits is different - they are round, elongated, flattened, ovoid. There is a groove on one side of the fruit. Some varieties of this crop may lack the usual pubescence. An example of this is nectarine. The peel of the fruit is thin, colored differently - from light green to expressively red. The pulp is cream-colored with a pronounced aroma. Inside there is a ribbed and densely structured bone - sometimes it is difficult to separate it from the pulp.
What group of plants does the peach belong to, what does it look like?
If we're talking about peach, let's start with a description of the trees themselves. The official name of the tree is common peach from the Rosaceae family, which also includes almond, rose, and rose hips.
Peach trees are fruit, deciduous. The height of an average tree is 5-7 meters. The bark on them is brown with a slight reddish tint. Young and old branches are different from each other. Newly appeared shoots are thin and tender. Old ones are rough to the touch and thicker. If the trees are wild, then at the beginning of each branch they have a pair of thorns.
Peaches also grow successfully in Central Russia, for which breeders created them. These are mainly trees with spreading branches and a crown up to six meters in diameter.
leaves have an oblong shape, tapering towards the end. On top they are dark green in color with a glossy surface, on the back they are much lighter - light green. Peach leaves have healing properties. For example, they are used for thyroid diseases.
The flowers are glass-shaped and often grow in pairs. They bloom along with the leaves or a little earlier. Each flower has a diameter of 2-3 centimeters and consists of five petals. The flowers are reddish, pink and white, depending on the variety. As a rule, they are “sessile”, with very short petioles, so they appear glued to the tree.
You can clearly see how the peach blossoms in the photo. Usually the branches are simply strewn with small white-pink and pink flowers.
The fruits appear in July-August and have different shapes. Peaches are oval, round, flattened. Their diameter varies from three to ten centimeters. The skin is thin, with fluff, often with a blush.
On one side, the furrow seems to divide the fruit in half. In general, peaches are divided into several categories.
Real peaches are distinguished by the fact that they do not have hairy skin, but the flesh is sweet and easily separated from the pit.
Is a peach a fruit or berry?
The peach tree is an artificially bred hybrid and is not found in nature as an independent plant. There is no exact information about the origin of this plant - experts suggest that it is the territory of Ancient China. The answer to the question of whether it is a fruit or a berry is simple - to determine, you can consider the description of these concepts. The berry is characterized by a low-growing bush-like plant and fruits containing many seeds. In the case of fruit - juicy pulp, a stone in the center and formation on a tree, often tall.
The fruits of this hybrid are divided into groups:
- Real - the sweet pulp is easily separated from the lint-covered peel and seed.
- Nectarine - the seed comes away from the fruit pulp, and the surface of the skin is smooth and not pubescent.
- Pavias - the tender flesh is difficult to separate from the drupe, but there is pubescence on the surface.
- Brugnons - the surface of the fruit is smooth, like a nectarine, but the stone is difficult to separate.
- Klings - it is difficult to separate the drupe from the tough cartilaginous pulp. Used for preservation.
- Fig is a slightly flattened fruit, covered with fluff and sweet, tender pulp.
Attention!
The classification of fruits does not indicate the variety - depending on the type, the characteristics of the fruit may be different.
Where do peaches come from?
PEACH (Prunus persica), a species of fruit tree in the rose family, belonging to the same genus as plum, cherry and apricot (sometimes classified as the independent genus Persica). Originally from China, but came to Europe through Persia (Iran), where there were magnificent peach orchards, which is where it got its name.
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How do peaches grow?
The timing of fruit ripening is strongly tied to the climate in which the tree grows. The season of ripe fruits begins at the end of June, but the main harvest is obtained in July-August. The fruit ripens better in the southern regions, due to the heat and sun. When picked for sale, peaches are picked from the tree while still unripe and subjected to special chemical treatment to extend shelf life. A ripe fruit must meet the following qualities:
- the color is bright - from greenish-yellow to red shades;
- the pulp is dense, but soft - depends on the variety;
- weight and dimensions are average.
It is not advisable to overstay the harvest on the tree - when the fruit ripens and falls off the fruit stem, due to its softness, it can be damaged by hitting the ground. Unripe fruits can also be removed from the plant - if you put them in the sun, then after 6-7 days you can already eat them. The place where trees are planted is also important - in a windy place, fruits may not even form or may fall off prematurely.
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Growing peaches in Russia
Peach trees are grown en masse in southern regions with mild winters. In Russia, this is possible in Crimea, Dagestan, Krasnodar Territory, and the Caucasus. In summer, during the period of active growth, the development of the tree requires a temperature of +24°C and above. In winter it should not fall below -10°C. Some gardeners are cultivating peach trees even in the Moscow region. They are planted in early spring. During cold weather, the trees are covered with special polystyrene foam structures. To get a lot of fruit, the plants are pruned regularly.
How the peach blossoms
The tree blooms in early spring - as soon as the temperature rises to 6-8ºC. But, you need to try to protect the plant from return frosts. The buds appear when the peach leaves are not yet there. The color of the petals depends on the variety - from delicate to expressive pink. During the peach blossom period, the branches are almost completely covered with buds, which is often appreciated by decorators. Main characteristics:
- bell-shaped buds throughout the shoot;
- the diameter of each peach flower can reach 3.5 cm;
- the petals are bowl-shaped.
In appearance, this plant becomes similar to an apricot, but blooms 1-2 weeks later. The duration of preservation of flowers on branches is approximately 15 days. But, this period depends on the variety and climate. To ensure a normal harvest and large fruits, it is recommended to cut off some of the branches of the peach tree in bloom. If this procedure is not followed, there is a risk of depletion of the root system and overload of the main fruit-bearing shoots.
On a note!
The fruits ripen 80-150 days after flowering. At this time, be sure to apply fertilizer, as the plant greatly depletes the soil.
Common diseases and pests of the Peach tree
This fruit is susceptible to a large number of diseases. Let's look at the most common problems that gardeners face.
Why do Peach trees have curled or twisted leaves?
Often this disease affects a tree if the spring has been wet and protracted. Blisters of a pale red hue appear on the leaves, and the foliage becomes deformed. The blisters increase in size, swell, and a whitish coating appears. Subsequently, the foliage falls and the shoots become deformed. Fighting such a disease is a labor-intensive, protracted process. In early spring and autumn, the fruit is sprayed with 3% Bordeaux mixture. Damaged shoots must be cut off and burned. Fallen leaves must also be burned in the autumn.
How to treat a peach tree against aphids
Aphids are a common pest that attacks fruit, reduces its immunity, and contributes to the appearance of sooty fungus. Small affected areas can be treated with a solution of laundry soap. In case of extensive damage, it is recommended to use products such as Karboforos. Treatment of the affected areas is carried out several times with an interval of half a month.
As a preventative measure, the fruit must be processed annually (spring, autumn). How to spray peach trees depends on the gardener’s preferences. A large number of drugs have now been developed that effectively fight infections and pests and are safe for people and the environment.
Fighting scale insects
Scale insects are a dangerous pest that damages the above-ground parts of the tree. A day after the parasite attack, red spots appear on the surface of the bark and fruit. If you don’t start fighting pests in time, you can get complete deformation of the tree and fruits, and leaves falling off. To destroy parasites, use “Aktara”, “Inta-vir”, “Aktellik” or “Mospilan”. Traditional methods include onion water or pepper tincture.
Elimination of plum moth
Oriental and plum stalk are small butterflies that hide in the bark of peaches for the winter.
In spring, caterpillars damage plant shoots and fruit seeds. To exterminate such parasites, it is recommended to use insecticides such as Durban, Karbofos, Metafos, Chlorophos.
Fighting powdery mildew
If you find a felt white coating on the underside of leaves and fruits, think about treating the tree for powdery mildew. Such trees begin to develop worse, their stems partially die. These signs are most pronounced at the end of April, beginning of May. During the hot season, diseases reach their peak. For processing, sulfur preparations (PSK), as well as Topaz and Topsin-M are used.
If treatment is needed during the period of fruit ripening and harvesting, give preference to biological products - Albit, Baktofit, Fitosporin.
Peaches yield
Under favorable growing conditions and normal plant care, fruiting is abundant. The amount of harvest from one tree for 15 years can reach 200-250 kg. For plants whose age has reached 3-4 years, a good amount of pilaf reaches 35-60 kg. Frost-resistant varieties grafted onto closely related plants show the best results.
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The peach harvest season for certain varieties can last until the first half of October. This plant is classified as heat-loving and drought-resistant - at low temperatures the wood and buds suffer greatly. If the thermometer readings drop to -24ºC, the tree may die. When the root system and shoots freeze, often the peach does not bloom and stops bearing fruit.
How to care for a Peach tree
Plant care depends on the season. Let's look at the basic procedures that need to be carried out, depending on the time of year.
How to care for Peach in spring
It is recommended to start caring for a fruit tree in mid-April. Initially, spraying will have to be carried out to neutralize the appearance of aphids and other pests. For processing, Bordeaux mixture is used, the procedure is carried out on the swelling buds.
Then the pink bud is pruned for replacement, as well as treated with antifungal compounds. At the end of flowering, the trees will have to be treated with complex compounds against pests and various diseases. If the winter season turns out to be snowless, and the spring is without rain, then in May you will have to carry out thorough watering.
Rules for caring for a tree in the summer season
Once the excess ovary is finished, the fruit load will have to be distributed among the Prunus crop. On a shoot that bears fruit, there should be one ovary 8-10 cm in length. Any excess ovaries need to be plucked out. In the summer, the site will need to be regularly watered, especially if temperatures have been high for a long time. But irrigation is allowed only after the stone has hardened. Otherwise, the fruits may crack.
The tree is regularly inspected for pests and diseases. Experts also recommend applying 2-3 foliar fertilizers (preferably potash) before harvesting. This feeding is combined with spraying of plantings against pests and diseases. A month before harvest, fruit crops are well watered. This will allow the fruit to become another 1/3 larger.
Autumn care rules
At the end of August, beginning of September, flower buds are laid and formed. Keep in mind that their level of frost resistance largely depends on the moisture at this time. Therefore, during this period, it is as important as possible to irrigate the bed with crops.
If the plants are often damaged by fungal diseases, then in August you will need to spray with Bordeaux mixture (three percent). After all the leaves have fallen off, they will need to be treated with urea or copper sulfate.
Also, in the autumn season, mineral fertilizers and organic matter must be applied. Thanks to this solution, the tree will absorb nutritional components until spring arrives.
Preparing for winter
As soon as the air temperature begins to decrease, the soil will need to be dug up. Plants are treated with fungicides to eliminate the appearance of pests. The area under the crown of the crop is mulched using sawdust or old leaves. The tree trunk must be wrapped with burlap, and the crown with agro-wool or paper.
Features of watering
The total number of waterings for trees depends on weather conditions. On average, irrigation of late-ripening varieties is carried out 5-6 times per season, and early-ripening varieties - 2-3. Under one tree you will need to apply up to 50 liters of water at a time. The optimal time for such a procedure is considered to be either early in the morning or in the evening after sunset.
Pruning Peach Tree
Pruning is carried out in early spring, before the buds begin to bloom. Before pruning peach trees, wait until buds form, but do not allow them to fully bloom. During this period, the fruit will most easily tolerate pruning.
The branches are pruned to form a crown, and a cleansing and health-improving cleansing is also performed.
Recommended pruning methods:
- Remove dead, diseased and damaged branches. Sterilize pruning equipment in alcohol or a mixture of 1 part chlorine bleach and 5 parts water after cutting diseased branches.
- Trim the weaker of two branches that cross each other.
- Prune a young tree so that its main branches are 30 - 45 cm apart and evenly distributed around the tree.
- Trim branches from the bottom third of the tree until the lowest branch is at your desired height.
- Periodically thin out a mature flowering peach tree by cutting off a few branches. This encourages vigorous new growth and subsequent flowering. Cut selected branches back to an outer bud or side branch. To carry out the formation of a peach tree in the first year, the height of the shoots is cut off, which allows the growth of lateral branches. Annual pruning should form a cup-shaped crown that is convenient for harvesting.
To form the crown in the first year, the height of the shoots is cut off, which allows the growth of lateral branches. Annual pruning should form a cup-shaped crown that is convenient for harvesting.
How many years does a peach bear fruit?
The lifespan of a peach can reach 30 years, but for such a period you need to take care of the tree. With classical care, the fruiting period can reach 10-16 years. But, if you update the hybrid in a timely manner by pruning and choose a stable rootstock, then the harvest can be harvested over a longer period. To preserve the quality of the fruit, be sure to remove damaged and old branches.
Peach is classified as a persistent hybrid crop that can be grown in central and southern Russia. The fruits of this plant have great taste and energy value. Flowering occurs in early spring and, if all agricultural standards are observed, it can produce a large harvest - at least 20-30 kg from one young tree. The lifespan of the plant is short, but with regular renewal of branches, you can get sweet fruit for up to 30 years.
Which peaches are the most delicious?
When choosing a variety for planting, it is also important to consider the desired taste qualities. Below are the 5 most delicious varieties, according to professional gardeners.
Collins
This is an early ripening variety with large yellow-red fruits. Their average weight reaches 150 g. The taste of the pulp is sweet, with a slight sourness.
The Collins variety is famous for its productivity. Therefore, to prevent branches from breaking under the weight of massive fruits, it is important to remove ripe fruits in time.
The culture tolerates frost easily and is immune to powdery mildew and curl. Needs regular feeding, abundant watering and crown pruning.
Kyiv early
An early variety, often grown by summer residents in the Crimea and other regions with a warm spring climate. Produces very juicy, tasty yellow-pink fruits weighing 80 - 100 g.
The plants have high yields and are resistant to cluster blight and powdery mildew. They do not tolerate excessive moisture or dry soil.
Redhaven
Redhaven is another early-ripening variety that adapts to changing climatic conditions. Ideal for both private and industrial breeding.
The fruits are large, weighing 150 - 170 g. The color is closer to orange-golden, there are red inclusions on the skin. The pulp is yellow, delicate in taste, with a pronounced odor.
The variety is resistant to frost and curling, but if not properly cared for, it is susceptible to fungal attack. To avoid such problems, it is important to timely feed and prevent diseases.
Cardinal
Cardinal peaches are medium-sized, weighing 100–150 g, slightly flattened on the sides. The skin is yellow with a carmine blush. Pulp with a fragrant odor. The fruits have high taste and are rated 5 points on the main tasting scale.
This variety does not tolerate frost well and needs special care. It is resistant to powdery mildew.
Kremlevsky
A popular variety that adapts well to any conditions. The fruits themselves are orange-yellow with ruddy red specks, weighing up to 200 g. They have a unique sweet taste and delicate aroma.
Kremlin peaches are immune to most diseases and are characterized by high winter hardiness, which allows them to be grown in regions with cool climates. The tree does not like waterlogged soil, so it is important to carefully control watering. Planting in elevated areas is recommended.
How do peaches grow in the Smolensk region?
To grow peaches in Smolensk and the region, varieties that are resistant to cold temperatures are chosen. It is advisable to plant peaches in the spring, so that over the summer and autumn the tree gains strength and strengthens the root system. During planting, the tree is fertilized.
The peach is planted in a bright place on the south side of the garden. The level of groundwater rise must be observed. High water levels cause waterlogging in the area and rotting of the roots of the peach tree.
In the spring, the tree is treated against pests and diseases, sprayed with a solution of laundry soap, copper sulfate and urea. In the summer, if there is no precipitation, the peach tree is watered. In the fall, the tree is covered so that it does not suffer from frost and is not damaged by rodents.
The most common diseases of peaches after planting
The most common diseases of peaches after planting
Proper care makes plants more resistant to disease. However, like any other fruit tree, peach can be susceptible to various diseases. The most common diseases of peaches after planting:
- Bacterial stone carcinoma. Most often it occurs as a result of improper pruning of shoots.
- Leaf curl is also a dangerous disease. At the first stage, it is manifested by a deterioration in the condition of the greenery. Both young and old leaves become thinner and brittle. At a later stage, their deformation occurs, and if left untreated, the fruits of the tree are also affected.
If the trunk is infected with bacteria, it is more difficult to cure the tree:
- Using a sharp knife, cut out the affected areas and grab another 2 cm of healthy tissue.
- Disinfect the wound. To do this, you will need a solution of copper sulfate (2%) or iron sulfate (3%).
- After this, be sure to treat it with a special antiseptic or at least clay.
Important: Be sure to remove all diseased branches, rotten fruits and even sawdust from the site and burn them. If the leaves are affected, spray with 1% Bordeaux mixture.
Peach diseases require timely intervention. Curling leaves can cause them to fall off completely. Therefore, the tree must be treated with systemic fungicides.
Also worth knowing:
- The common peach may develop new leaves in the summer.
- This is an unfavorable phenomenon that puts pressure on the tree and contributes to its freezing in winter.
Both leaf curl and fruit tree canker require the introduction of properly selected fungicidal preparations. They can be purchased at special stores for gardeners. They sell dilution mixtures that are convenient for treating leaves, branches or a tree trunk.
Worth adding:
- Almost all fungal diseases of peaches have the ability to spread quickly.
- This is a big threat both to large crops and to fruit trees growing in small gardens.
- Therefore, if the disease appears, you should act as soon as possible.
- Proper spraying will slow down the development of the disease and at the same time prevent its spread to other plants.
- Some gardeners also use preventative sprays, but this is rarely used in home gardens.
Another threat is brown and gray rot .
- Brown rot is caused by the pathogens Monilinia Laxa and Monilinia Fructigena . The visible symptom of the disease is a change in color of flowers to brown, followed by shoots and leaves. Later, as the disease progresses, spots appear on the fruit. Unfortunately, peaches affected by this disease should not be eaten.
- Gray mold is also proving dangerous to crops, another fungal disease that spreads quickly. It can be recognized by its characteristic bloom, which appears mainly on peach shoots. Lack of a quick reaction can lead to fruit rotting.
If you do everything correctly, you will have a wonderful peach orchard. Follow the advice in the article, and your trees will be healthy, beautiful, and the fruits will be delicious. Good luck!
Recommendations for growing and caring for peaches
Peach trees on vigorous rootstocks of apricot, peach or cherry plum produce the first harvest 2-3 seasons after planting. Mass fruiting occurs in the 4-5th year of growth. The average life of a tree is about 17 years.
The tree must be protected from severe frosts. Temperatures of -25 °C lead to complete freezing of flower buds and loss of potential yield. Frost from -30 °C will damage the trunk and forks of skeletal branches, which is equivalent to the death of the above-ground part of the plant. The greatest danger to peach is a sharp and severe drop in temperature.
Description and cultivation of apricot variety Zhigulevsky Souvenir
Peach is afraid of strong cold winds, so you need to carefully choose a planting site. It must be reliably protected from strong air movements in winter from the north and north-west.
Protection from diseases and pests
Peach yield, ripening time and the taste of its fruit depend on the health of the tree. Peach needs to be protected from diseases:
- Leaf curl is a fungal disease that affects leaves and young shoots in early summer. The leaves thicken, curl, lose their bright color and crumble easily. When neglected, curling leads to leaf fall and shoot death. The best control method is to choose resistant varieties or grafting. For treatment, spraying with copper-containing fungicides is used several times a day.
- Powdery mildew is a fungal disease. It affects young leaves and shoot tips, leading to their death. The fruits lose their presentation and taste. The defeat manifests itself in the form of a powdery coating on the leaves and shoots, and white spots on the fruit. Treatment is spraying with fungicides.
- Clusterosporiasis (hole spotting) is a fungal infection. It appears as small dots that develop into light brown spots with a dark purple rim. The spots cause holes to appear on the leaves. The fungus affects all above-ground parts of the tree. Treatment is spraying with fungicides.
A big enemy of peach tree foliage and shoots is aphids. Insects can cause serious damage to entire tracts, which will affect yields and ripening times.
To combat it, you need to select a special pesticide to which a specific type of aphid is not resistant. The affected areas of the plant are thoroughly treated with a suitable pesticide.
peach tree pruning
Many gardeners are interested in the problem of the possibility of pruning peaches. Is it useful or harmful? The answer is clear - pruning of peach trees is necessary.
By the age of 10 years, an average tree can form about 10 thousand buds. If even 20% of this amount germinates and produces fruit, the tree will produce several thousand fruits per season. Such a number of nutrient consumers will deplete the plant and lead to a sharp drop in productivity in the next season.
A large number of ovaries will also lead to crushing of the fruit and a shift in ripening time. To avoid such consequences, you need to cut off up to 70% of all flowers.
Pruning purposes:
- Reducing the load on the tree.
- Leveling and maintaining yields across seasons.
- Determining the optimal number of fruits on a tree.
- Getting large and tasty fruits without chopping them.
- Ripening of fruits at optimal times.
Compliance with the rules of care (competent and timely pruning, grafting varieties with the best qualities, protection from diseases, quality treatment) will contribute to the timely ripening of tasty and juicy peach fruits.
Choosing a peach seedling
For a good harvest, a peach tree must be selected and planted correctly. It is enough to pay attention to a few recommendations.
- Before purchasing a seedling, it is recommended to ask the seller about its origin and adaptation to the composition of the soil.
- It is worth paying attention to the age of the seedling. The most favorable age is 1 year.
- Check the root system. When you bite a small amount of bark from the root system, you should see a layer of green color, which indicates the health and fertility of the tree. A brown tint suggests the opposite.
When choosing a seedling, you should pay special attention to the above factors, as a result of which peaches will turn out tasty and healthy in large quantities.