Peach

Profile

Family

Rosaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

6.5 m

Spread

6 m

Growth

fast

Lifespan

20 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 5–10

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

6 – 7.5

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit can be consumed fresh, cooked, or dried for preservation. It is commonly utilized in various food items such as ice cream, pies, and jams. The best varieties of fruit are exceptionally juicy and have a delicious taste when fully ripe. In the Himalayas, wild trees produce an average of 36.5 kg of fruit annually. The wild fruit contains approximately 5.2% sugar, 2% protein, and 1.6% ash, with a vitamin C content of 2.3 mg per 100 g. It is also a rich source of vitamin A. Wild peach fruits are more nutrient-dense compared to cultivated ones, with sizes varying significantly, reaching up to 7 cm in diameter and typically containing one seed. Flowers can be consumed raw or cooked, added to salads as a garnish, or brewed into tea. The distilled flowers yield a white liquid that imparts a seed-like flavor. Seeds can be consumed raw or cooked, but caution is advised as bitter seeds may contain high levels of hydrogen cyanide. The seeds can be used to extract a semi-drying oil, with an oil content of up to 45%. Additionally, a gum extracted from the stem is suitable for chewing.

Medicinal: The seed offers multiple health advantages such as anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, cough-suppressant, and emollient properties. It is utilized in managing coughs, asthma, acute or chronic bronchitis, and constipation. Amygdalin and prunasin found in the seed break down into hydrogen cyanide when in contact with water. In small doses, this substance can enhance respiration, aid digestion, and promote a sense of well-being.

Other uses: A green dye can be obtained from the plant's leaves, while a yellow dye can also be extracted from them. The fruit produces a dark gray to green dye. The seeds yield a semi-drying oil commonly used in skin creams as a replacement for almond oil. Crushed leaves can eliminate strong odors like garlic or cloves when rubbed in a container post fat removal. The stem's gum serves as an adhesive.

Growing

Requires well-drained, moisture-retaining soil and thrives in loamy soils and on limestone. Avoid acidic soils and ensure some chalk in the soil, but be cautious of excess as it can lead to chlorosis. A pH between 6 and 7 is ideal. Partial shade is suitable, but for better fruiting, a sunny location is preferred. Protection from north and northeast winds and spring frosts is necessary. In warm temperate and continental climates, this plant is extensively cultivated for its edible fruit, with numerous named cultivars categorized by skin color and stone type (freestone or appendage stone). The trees are generally hardy, enduring temperatures down to around -20°C when dormant, but need protection for a reliable harvest. The need for protection in the UK is more due to cooler summers hindering full ripening and unpredictable winters and springs causing premature growth, making the tree susceptible to damage. Hand pollination during this period can enhance fruit set. The 'Rochester' variety has better success outdoors in the UK. Planting peaches in a warm, sheltered, sunny spot against a south- or west-facing wall is recommended. Most varieties are self-fertile and are often grafted onto plum or other rootstocks, although better performance is reported when grown on their own roots in southern England. Short-lived trees require continual production of new wood as most fruit forms on one-year-old wood. Garlic is a beneficial companion plant, particularly for disease prevention like peach leaf rollers. Tansy under peach trees promotes better health. Winter and spring rains can be detrimental, so protecting plants, possibly with plastic coverings, is advised. Indoor or overwintered plants are not affected by leaf rollers. Shallow roots in this genus lead to runner production if roots are damaged. Susceptibility to the honey fungus is a common issue in this genus.

Propagation

Seeds need 2-3 months of cold treatment and are ideally planted in a cool environment right after harvesting. It's recommended to sow stored seeds early in the year in a cold setting. For stored seeds, the optimal stratification involves warm conditions for 2 months followed by 3 months of cold. Protect the seeds from pests like mice. Germination may be slow, sometimes taking up to 18 months. Once seedlings are big enough, transfer them to individual pots. Let them grow in a cold frame or greenhouse during their first winter and then plant them outdoors in late spring or early summer the next year. In July/August, take cuttings from semi-ripe shoots with a heel in a cold frame, although the success rate is generally low. Take softwood cuttings from strong plants in spring to early summer in a cold frame. Layering should be done in spring.

Notable

Special features: loves warmth: flowers (early flowering) die at -3°C → protect from cold winds and morning sun → e.g. south-west facing wall (also good as a trellis); plant in well-drained soil with garlic/horseradish: (protection against leaf curl disease); remove false fruit shoots during the annual pruning; (bearing fruit on one-year-old wood);

Origin & habitat

E. Asia - China.

Hedges and forests typically grow in sunny areas on various soil types, excluding acidic moorland soils.

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