First they want to be very cold, and then nice and warm. That makes the peach tree the perfect asset for the climate now and in the future.
Care tips
- Peach trees like to be in full sun in a somewhat sheltered spot.
- Plant a peach tree deep so that it is firmly secured in well-draining soil. They can also be trained against a wall or fence.
- Peach trees need slightly more food (fertilise once every two months) and water than other fruit trees.
- Prune in March, immediately after winter and before flowering.
- Blossom and night-time frost? Cover the tree with fleece or spray the blossom so that it freezes. This will give you a good chance of harvesting peaches later.
- When the peach tree produces peaches, thin them out a bit. That way the peaches that you leave in situ have a better chance of becoming big and juicy. If you don’t thin them out, the peaches will remain small and have less flavour.
In early spring the peach tree (Prunus persica) looks very dainty, with only delicate blossom on the bare branches. Then it fills out with green leaves, after which the first green fruit appear. These ripen into downy peaches with an orange, pink and yellow skin. So there is lots going on with a peach tree in your garden between March and early autumn, particularly since the tree is also a big draw for honey bees and bumblebees. Peach trees grow to a height of between 4 and 10 metres, although cultivated varieties are usually somewhat smaller. Handy to know: a peach tree needs to be about three years old before it produces fruit. Peaches range from very sweet to quite tart, depending on the variety.
Persian delicacy
The peach tree is a member of the Prunus family which also includes other stone fruits such as cherry, apricot, almond and plum. The plant originates from north-west China, where it was already being cultivated some 6000 years BC. Nowadays they particularly grow in Iran and in countries around the Mediterranean. The Latin name Persica refers to Persia, the former name for Iran. The tree prefers a dry temperate climate and needs a little bit of frost in order to trigger flowering later. What is remarkable about the tree is that it can pollinate itself. The nectarine tree is a cousin of the peach tree: the only difference is that a nectarine’s skin is smooth.
Peach tree trivia
- The tree has been growing on Earth for a very long time; fossil remains of the fruit have been found that are 2.6 million years old and are genetically virtually identical to the modern peach.
- Because the blossom appears before the leaves, the tree symbolises vitality in China. The wood is venerated because of its protective power. A peachwood door keeps evil spirits away, whilst a peach stone as an amulet keeps the wearer safe.
- Peaches are the most widely painted fruit in classical art because of their sensual appearance: a ripe peach is reminiscent of an attractive bottom.
