Peaches

Peaches are generally classified as either freestone (flesh does not cling to the pit) or clingstone (flesh clings tenaciously to the pit). Peaches are cold hardy and do not need a pollinator.

Care of Peach Trees  

Pruning: Peach trees need to be pruned to get sunlight onto all branches. Thus it is important to develop a modified central-leader scaffold well spaced around the trunk horizontally and vertically with upward-sloping limbs 45° to 60° from horizontal. This builds a strong infrastructure for holding the fruit and helps give sunlight access to lower limbs. Removing crossing branches or preventing them will get sun to the branches too. In addition, removing or heading back interior branches that go up vertically from the scaffold will increase light penetration. Finally, trees (not bushes) will produce little if any fruit on branches growing downward. These downward hangers should be removed.

Planting: Plant the bare root tree as soon as possible and it is very important to never let the roots get dried out before planting. The tree needs to be planted 8' to 10' from the nearest tree. They can be planted closer, but there will be very little room between trees, for the limb spread on nectarines is about 5' - 6'. Never plant the tree where water stands for more than a few hours after a rain, and select a mostly sunny spot. Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough to accommodate the root system. Spread the roots out. The graft, where the tree was grafted onto a hardy disease resistant variety, should be a couple of inches above the soil when you finish planting. Use existing soil only – no amendments. Water in well, and water every day for a few days unless it rains

Pests: Peach fruit can be infested with Plum Curculio. Check for a small half-moon cut on the fruit, and pull off those fruit. Dispose of the fruit. Most of these nectarines are very early producing and will likely avoid Plum Curculio, so it might not be a problem, but be diligent in pulling off fruit that is infected. An organic method to protect from Plum Curculio is to spray with Surround, a wetable powder that is sprayed on when the fruit is very small. It coats the fruit and prevents curculio from getting in.

Varieties of Peaches for the Houston Area Climate

Midpride Peach Good tree vigor and good to excellent quality fruit. Ripens mid to late June; is yellow-orange with distinctive red striping and yellow-fleshed; freestone. 200-300 chill hours.

Red Baron Peach This one has it all! Double coral red-frilled flowers. Great taste (rates a 10). Freestone. Very good production. Ripens from mid-June to Mid-July. 500 - 600 chill hours.

Tropic Beauty Peach Early bearing semi-freestone. Good quality, sweet and juicy. Ripens before Plum Curculio gets fruit. Yellow fleshed. Ripens late April 150 chill hours.

Tropic Snow Peach Excellent rated (a 9+). Large white meat freestone. Ripens mid May before Plum Curculio gets fruit. 200 chill hours.

Bonanza Minature If you don’t have a lot of space and want a truly outstanding peach that is very productive in our area, this is especially for you. Popular yellow freestone - large fruit is sweet, low in acid, with a mild, refreshing flavor. Good container plant. Early June ripening. 5-6 ft. tree. 250 hours or less.

3-in-1 Peach A tree upon which there are 3 different varieties of peaches grafted, all of which are good for our climate. If you have space for only one peach, and want variety, this is a good choice.