Plant a peach tree in your garden and Picking sweet, luscious peaches from your own tree is an extraordinary gift from nature.
But how do you start? Because there are several techniques for growing a peach tree. Whether from seed, cuttings or a seedling, so that you can enjoy the fruits of your efforts.
In this article, we will discover how to germinate a peach tree by examining techniques such as seedling growth, seed selection, and growing care. We will also go over the best solutions for optimal results.
Growing peach trees from seeds
Germinating a peach from seed is a very rewarding experience and requires a fairly simple procedure to do.
1) The first stage is to remove the peach stone. of the fruit rinse it and wash it well in the sink and place it in a dry place with air circulation such as a windowsill.
You have to let it dry well for three or four days so that you can open it easily afterwards.
2) Remove the seed from the stoneYou can use a nutcracker or pliers to break the seed if it is hard. Try not to apply too much force so as not to break the seed, which is very tender. The seed is white, tender and resembles an almond.
3) Prepare a plastic bag for storage with 2,5 inch (2 cm) of room temperature water, add the seeds and seal the bag tightly. Let soak for 3 to XNUMX hours. After that time, add a cup of fresh potting soil into the bag until the consistency is moist, but not soggy.
4) Time to wait. Place the bag filled with soil, water, and seeds in the refrigerator away from fruits or vegetables for 5 to 6 weeks. Check every day to see if the seed has sprouted. As soon as the seed has started to grow, it is time to plant it in a pot.
5) Place the plant in the pot. Place the small plant in a pot that is half soil and half compost in a ceramic or plastic container. This is very important to be able to closely monitor the water and nutrients.
The pot should be in a partially sunny location, but be sure to move it into full sun as some leaves grow. Continue to monitor and water, observing growth daily.
Seeds should start to germinate in 2-3 weeks. When the seedlings are about 5-7 cm tall, we can transplant them to the garden.
Make sure the soil is well-drained and moist. Give the seedlings plenty of sunlight and slowly increase the amount of water they receive as they develop.
Planting from a seedling in the garden
If you have sown the seeds indoors during the colder months You can transplant them into the garden when the last spring frost has passed. and the earth is already somewhat warm.
You need to choose a warm and sunny spot, the soil should be well drained and moist. You will need to water it frequently. For best results, add plenty of water to the soil. organic material or fertilizer.
It is important to check that the soil reaches the base of the tree trunk, but does not go up the trunk. This can cause rot if you cover it with soil or mulch, as it can create too much moisture around the base of the trunk. The peach tree needs well-drained soil.
Some tips for peach tree care
- You should give new trees plenty of water on a weekly basis. Once they mature, they can withstand a week and a half of this amount of water. It is important to keep the soil evenly moist and never soaked.
- You have to water deeply to soak the soil up to 45 cm deep approximately, and you should water them every one or two weeks if it doesn't rain.
- The newly planted peach tree should be supported by tutors to help them stay upright until they have developed a strong root system to anchor and hold themselves in the ground on their own.
- As for fertilizer, it is best to use a complete one formulated for fruit trees. containing a high level of nitrogen, which is the best for peach trees.
- You need to follow the instructions on the product label. Generally you need to do it in spring close to the flowering season, a second time in May, and a third time after the harvest, but not much later than August.
- You should prune only to remove dead or damaged stems. This will help promote new and vigorous growth. You should not do this in winter because there is a risk of disease.
- You have to prune them in early spring before the new growth, or in late summer immediately after harvest.
- About a month after the peach tree blooms, remove the smaller peaches and leave the larger ones 15 to 20 cm apart. This allows the remaining fruit to receive additional nutrients.
- Control pests and prevent diseases such as leaf curl or rot because they are devastating for the yield of your crop. You can control them with natural fungicides.
As for the time it takes for a tree to grow from seed, it can generally take 3 or 4 years until it begins to produce fruit. A peach tree may not produce fruit if it has suffered a lot of frost damage., or competes for soil with other plants, or does not receive adequate amounts of sun exposure.
To obtain the best peaches with a sweet and exquisite flavor, it is essential to harvest them at the right time. Although, the harvest varies depending on the type of peach, but they generally reach their point of maturity between late June and August.
Color is the best way to tell if they are ripe, when the outer skin is completely clear of any green coloration it means they are ready to harvest. With proper care, attention and love, you can expect to be rewarded with the best fresh peaches every season.