Guide to Plant a Peach Tree: [Complete Step by Step]
The peach or peach tree is characterized by being a fast-growing tree. So after a few years you can be eating the first fruits.
Unlike other trees, such as avocado or cherry, it is not necessary to wait so many years for the first harvest.
In this article we answer the most common questions about planting the peach tree.
Maybe you are also interested in:
- Peach tree pruning.
- Pests and diseases of the peach tree.
- How to fertilize a peach tree.
- Peach tree leprosy.
How to plant a peach tree?
How are seeds prepared for planting?
Wrap the seed in a damp paper towel, place it in a plastic bag and seal it.
Store the bag in the refrigerator. Keep the paper towel, peat moss, or vermiculite moist, and in two months, the peach pit will be ready to plant.
At what distance do we plant the peach trees?
If you are planting standard size trees, leave a distance of 6 or 7 meters.
However, most types of peach trees are self-fertile, so planting only one tree at a time is fine. They do not require pollination.
Where do peach trees grow best?
Sun, type of soil and drainage. Peach trees thrive when grown in a location that receives full sun and has fertile, well-drained soil.
It is ideal that the soil is not too compact and before sowing them, make a good contribution of organic matter (manure or leaves of other fruit trees) and/or compost.
Can I grow a peach tree from seed?
Plant the peach pit 3 to 4 cm deep and then cover with straw or similar mulch for overwintering. Water at planting and then only when dry.
By spring, if the peach was good, you should see a new peach plant sprout, which will begin to grow.
What’s in a peach pit?
The seeds (also known as stones, pits, or kernels) of stone fruits such as apricots, cherries, plums, and peaches contain a compound called amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when eaten.
And, yes, hydrogen cyanide is Poison.
How long does it take for a peach tree to bear fruit?
years after planting. After planting a peach tree, the first two years are devoted to increasing the vegetation and structure of the tree.
Peaches grow only on branches that are one year old. However, a two-year-old tree is usually not large enough to produce and sustain a standard crop.
What happens if a peach seed is planted?
Always plant multiple holes, as some will not germinate and not all that do will survive their first year.
In the warmer parts of the peach range, you will need to artificially stratify the seeds in a refrigerator.
In the fall, place the dry-cleaned pits in a plastic bag and cover with water.
What kind of fertilizer do peach trees need?
A good fertilizer for peach trees is one that has an even balance of the three main nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
For this reason, a good peach tree fertilizer is a 10-10-10 fertilizer, but any balanced fertilizer, such as 12-12-12 or 20-20-20, will do.
How do you take care of the peach tree?
- Fertilizing: Do not apply fertilizer to the planting hole or to the soil around a newly planted peach tree.
- Irrigation: Immediately after planting, pour water around the tree; then, water every other day for the next few weeks.
How often is it watered?
On average, mature peach trees require at least 100 cm of water per year.
In the summer growing season, peach trees in temperate climates need daily drip irrigation or higher sprinkler every three weeks.
In hot weather, watering every one to two weeks is sufficient.
We recommend the drip irrigation system, because this way we avoid flooding the soil and facilitate drainage in the soil.
The peach harvest
Do peaches ripen after they are picked?
Peaches, like apples and pears and avocados and tomatoes (among other fruits), can ripen after they are picked.
Do you need two peach trees to pollinate?
Most apricots, nectarines, peaches, and tart cherries are typical examples of self-pollinating trees.
Requiring a pollinator – trees that need to be pollinated by another variety of trees. Most apples, pears, plums and sweet cherries are typical examples of this type of tree.
Is it necessary to have two peach trees to produce fruit?
Many types of fruit trees, such as apples and pears, need two different varieties growing close to each other for proper fertilization.
Peaches are self-fertile, meaning that a single tree, with the presence of suitable insects, can pollinate itself.
When should we prune the peach tree?
To know more: How to prune a peach tree.
Peach trees fruit in a 1-year forest, so they can be pruned pretty hard.
Remove about 40% of the tree each year, to encourage new growth after pruning, so that there are fruitful branches each year.
In general: Remove the oldest and grayest shoots.
What is the best time to prune peach trees?
The peach tree will flower soon after pruning, when the cold is satisfying and the weather is warm.
Growers with few trees can wait until the pink bud is ready to prune.
Growers with large crops should not prune earlier than necessary.
How do you prune a peach tree?
All branches you cut should grow at a 45-degree angle. Prune the tree into a V shape.
Cut branches that cross each other, as these block sunlight. Remove any branches where new growth is growing above its head.
Can I prune the peach tree in summer?
Pruning your peach trees in the summer can make them easier to prune and keep them small.
If you want to cut the tops off your peach trees, it’s safest to wait until the end of winter or just after harvest in summer.
What diseases and pests should we take into account with the peach tree?
To learn more, take a look at this article: Diseases and Pests of the peach tree
Especially we have to be careful with the leprosy of the peach tree. In this article we can delve into this terrible disease that affects this fruit tree.
Is eating peaches healthy?
Fiber supports digestive health, can help lower cholesterol levels (which is also good news for your heart), and helps keep you full longer after eating.
Peaches are among the richest fruits in potassium with approximately 333 mg, or 10% of the recommended daily value, from just one large peach.
What does a peach do for your body?
The antioxidant vitamin C, when consumed in its natural form (in whole foods like peaches) or applied topically, can reduce wrinkles, improve overall skin texture, and help fight sun damage and pollution.
Are they good for the skin?
Supposed to be a great source of vitamin C, peach helps to remove dark circles and blemishes. Its macronutrients also help get rid of wrinkles and therefore peach is a common ingredient in anti-aging masks. It tightens the skin pores and works wonders for tired skin.
Are they good for weight loss?
Peaches are low in calories: Another reason to eat peaches is that they are low in calories. … Peaches help stimulate metabolism:
Since peaches contain flavonoids like catechins, they help boost metabolism. The improved metabolism also helps to burn calories and therefore lose weight.
What are the benefits of eating peaches?
A medium peach also contains 2% or more of the daily value of vitamins E and K, niacin, folate, iron, choline, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and copper. Peaches are low in calories (100 g only provides 39 calories) and do not contain saturated fat.
Does it have a lot of sugar?
Peaches: 13 grams of sugar per medium peach. They have more sugar than other berries, but they are packed with nutrients.
Keep in mind that despite having a high sugar index, it also has a high fiber content. This means that the metabolic impact on the glycemic index is reduced. Eating fruit is good!
How long does a peach tree live?
The average lifespan of a peach tree is established at 40 years. However, the variety known as nectarine barely reaches 12 years.
How long does it take to grow a peach tree?
They are trees that grow quickly and after 5 years they will already have a good structure formed.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes, you can work in a pot and even harvest them.
However, it is advisable that this be of good dimensions to allow its roots to be comfortable.
How many times does a peach tree produce fruit?
In areas with a good climate, the peach tree can produce 2 harvests a year.
How cold can a peach tree tolerate?
It is tolerant to cold and frost during its rest period. In this season it can live even if the temperature is close to -20 ° C.
How many peach trees can be planted per hectare?
Stocking density is very important to calculate this data, but it is estimated that the number can vary from 200 to 750 individuals.
How much heat and/or drought can a peach tree tolerate?
The hot summers that help the ripening of its fruits are good for it. Better to keep it below 35° C so that it is not excessive.
It is not a good idea to have it in prolonged drought.
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