Peach trees (Prunus
persica) begin to bear fruit at 3 to 4 years of age. The health of the tree,
the environment, weather, and pollination are all factors in bearing fruit.
Disease and insect damage affect fruit quality and extreme weather may cause
bud drop, and without successful pollination there will be sparse fruit on the
tree.
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| FIG: PEACH ORCHARD |
Types of Pollination
Fruit trees are
categorized as self-fruitful or selfunfruitful. Most varieties of peach trees
are self-fruitful and do not need another tree of the same type to create
pollination. Self-unfruitful cultivars of peaches are "J.H. Hale,"
"Earlihale," "Hal-Berta," "Candoka" and
"Mikado." When these varieties are planted near any other variety of
peach tree, they become fertile. Trees such as apple, pear, plum and cherry
pollinate successfully when grown near others of the same species. There are
individual variations within varieties of each type of tree.
Fertilization
Self-fruitful peach trees have male and female parts within each
flower. Grains of pollen are transferred from the anthers (male floral part) to
the stigma (female floral part). The sticky surface of the stigma catches the
pollen. Pollen germinates and a tube grows to unite it with a female cell in
the flower ovary. Fertilization occurs, a seed develops and fruit begins to
enlarge. Cold and hot weather extremes affect developing peach buds. An
extended midwinter warm period causes loss of the cold hardiness that
stimulates fruit development. Temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit also
damage bud development.
Best Cultural Practices for Pollination
Peach trees pollinate
successfully when given adequate sunlight, water and nutrients. Plant peaches
in full sun where they are not shaded by buildings, fences or large trees. Do
not plant in areas where roots will compete with shrubs or other tree root
systems. Peach trees need 13 minerals from the soil to maintain health. The
nutrient content of soil is maintained by using mature compost yearly as
fertilizer. Peach trees also benefit from a layer of straw, shredded bark or
leaves as mulch. Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree to keep
soil warm, reduce weed growth and conserve water.
Pruning and Watering
Well-pruned and maintained
peach trees pollinate and produce good quality fruit. Cut off all diseased,
broken and crossed branches in late winter before the buds begin to swell. Cut
each branch back by 1/3 and remove branches that are too low to the ground.
Pruning improves air circulation and light availability. Un-pruned tree limbs
become weak and spindly, producing less fruit. Pruning makes the limbs grow
larger and stronger. Irrigate peach trees weekly during the growing season as
they develop fertilized blossoms and young fruit.