Peaches and nectarines are respectively downy and smooth
skinned versions of the same fruit Prunus persica. Most forms are
self-fertile, they prefer warmer conditions, nectarines even more so than
peaches. In warm temperate regions the bush form is suitable, in cooler
climates, the protection of a sunny wall and/or protection under glass is
required, training as a fan is usually the preference here. Other than the
preference for warmer conditions of nectarines, cultivation of the two types is
identical and where peaches are referred to here, the same applies to
nectarines.
Peaches flower in the early spring and
so are susceptible to frosts. There are also few pollinators around
at this time in cooler climates, so hand pollination, especially if they
are being grown under glass is advisable. Fruit thinning may often be
necessary as conversely if conditions are good, then peaches will set
fruit very heavily. Leaving them unthinned means they are more
susceptible to rots and infection, while they produce far more fruits,
they are smaller and less satisfactory.
Where space and climate allow, a bush
is the preferred shape for peaches allowing about 12ft for the
spread of the tree. The aim is to get 8-10 strong branches spreading
form a short trunk. Pruning should be kept to a minimum until the bush
is ready to produce fruit, confined to removal of dead, crossing or
excessive branches. Like other drupes (fruits with a single stone rather
than many pips) peaches are susceptible to silver leaf (a fungal
disease) and so pruning should be carried out in the early summer and
not during winter dormancy.
Peaches fruit on the previous years wood
and so once a tree is established, pruning is carried out to remove
older growth in favour of newer that will produce fruit the next year.
Peach leaf curl - A disease that peaches and
nectarines can suffer from. The foliage puckers, then is covered with a
fine white powdery growth, it turns first red, then brown before dropping off the
plant. All plants in all areas are potentially susceptible to this fungal
disease which is most prevalent in damp areas and particularly in wet growing
seasons. Trees growing in protection under glass usually escape this disease.
There are no really effective chemical controls and if your peaches have
suffered this for a number of years, the easiest answer to to remove your peach
tree and grow apricots instead which are hardly touched by the problem at all.
