 |
The Gardener's Almanac |  |
||||
| Index | FAQ's | Links | Photos | Guest book | ||
| Peaches & Nectarines |
|
|
|
The peach prunus persica belongs to the rosaceae family
There are many peach cultivars and are collectively referred to as ‘stone fruits’.
They fall into three major groups, the most common of which is Nectarine which due to a single recessive gene is simply fuzz-less peach.
Freestone peaches are the ones generally found on the market stall, whereas Clingstone peaches are used primarily for canning
n.b. Peaches do not get any sweeter once they are picked.
They do get softer and juicier, but never sweeter this is why one should avoid rock hard peaches these were most likely picked when they were still green.
Indoor culture;
Week 6; To produce a balanced tree shape in pot grown specimens, cut back laterals to buds pointing in the required direction.
Week 8; Remove the top 50mm (2”) of compost of pot grown specimens, and replace it with potting compost that is equivalent of John Innes No.3. and commence watering trees under glass.
Week 10; Prune leading growths by about one-third to a good bud.
Thin out crowded or crossing growth at the same time.
Week 20; Apply a weak liquid potash feed monthly from now until fruit is ready.
Week 22; Pollination is essential for good crops.
Plants will need to be pollinated artificially.
Throughout the flowering period, pollinate with a soft paint brush or rabbit's tail around mid day.
Damping the floor of the greenhouse afterwards and closing the door for a short tune to raise the temperature will assist the ‘set’.
Week 25; Thin fruits to around 200mm (8”) apart, when they are 20mm (3/4”) in diameter.
Tie back or cut out any shoots that shade the fruits.
Week 32; Pick the fruits when the flesh starts to soften slightly round the stalk and store in a cool place until required.
Outdoor culture;
Week 18; Prune leading growths by about one-third and cut back any frost damaged tips to a good bud.
Thin out crowded or crossing growth at the same time.
Reduce the chances of peach leaf curl on peaches and nectarines by keeping the rain off them.
The problem can be reduced, by covering them with purpose made screens, or by draping loose plastic sheeting over the plants.
Week 20; Avoid disturbing the roots of peaches and nectarines, but keep the soil around the trees clear of weeds by shallow hoeing or by treating with a contact herbicide.
n.b. Rub out unwanted shoots in early summer.
Mulch with rotted manure or compost and apply dried blood at
15gms (½oz) per sq.m.
Week 24; Inspect the ground around wall-trained trees for signs of drying out and water as necessary.
Spray daily with clean water after the fruits have set.
Week 26; Monthly, apply weak liquid potash mix when watering trees under glass.
Week 27; Thin fruits to around 200mm (8”) apart, when they are 20mm (¾”) in diameter.
Tie back or cut out any shoots that shade the fruits.
Week 33; Propagate Peaches by setting the stones singly in potting compost (equivalent of John Innes No1) and place in a cold frame or cold greenhouse.
n.b. Maintaining a night temperature of 10°C (50° F) will hasten germination.
Re-pot as necessary and treat as a maiden tree after it has made one season's growth.
Week 35; Pick the fruits when the flesh starts to soften slightly round the stalk and store in a cool place until required.
Week 42; Plant out trees.
Peaches and nectarines grow best in loamy soil, with good drainage.
When planting against a wall, set the stem200mm (8”) out from the base of the wall, slightly incline the plant towards the wall.
Space out wall-trained trees on a series of horizontal wires set 300mm (12”) apart, and at least 1.8-2.4m (6ft-8ft) high.
Erect temporary windbreaks made with small-mesh netting
As well as reducing the force of the wind, this will encourage pollinating insects.
An alternative to the above is to plant in a ‘lean’ to’ greenhouse this will offer better protection from the weather and birds.
About this Site © The Gardener's Almanac 2005 Top of page