What is a peach: what does it look like, where does it grow, and how does it bloom?

Peach

To properly grow peaches and get a good harvest, you need to understand the specific agricultural practices for this crop. This plant's name comes from the ancient Roman Malum persicum. This tree is considered a heat-loving plant, so in northern regions it is grown only in artificially conditioned climates. Depending on how and where the peach tree grows, its flowering time varies. You can see what this plant looks like in the photo. The peach tree's blossoms resemble those of an apricot, only the buds are pink. Gardeners often post images of peach trees in bloom in their gardens.

Description of the peach tree

The familiar peach is not a native plant. The tree is the result of hybridization between many species of the plum genus. Its closest wild relatives are the almond tree. Peach blossoms appear at the first sign of warmer weather. The plant is drought-resistant and tolerates heat well. In Russia, peaches grow in the Krasnodar, Caucasus, Dagestan, and Crimean regions. For classic, ungrafted peach varieties, a normal climate must meet a number of characteristics:

Temperatures from June to September should not fall below 24ºC.
In winter, the peach tree can only withstand frosts down to -10ºC.
There should be no recurrent frosts - after flowering it will lead to death.

What does a peach look like?

The peach is a straight-stemmed deciduous tree that can reach a height of 9 m. However, the average height does not exceed 4-6 m. This height is highly dependent on the cultivar and rootstock used. The crown diameter can reach up to 6 m – the branches grow densely, and the young plant may look like a shrub. However, when cultivated, many shoots are pruned while the peach is still in bloom. Other characteristics include:

The trunk has dense, reddish-brown bark with a texture similar to scaly surfaces.
Young shoots are lighter than the main trunk and smooth to the touch; with age they become rougher.
The root system without the use of rootstock does not go deeper than 30-50 cm into the soil.
The greenery consists of elongated lanceolate leaves with a serrated edge and a smooth surface.

Visually, the common peach tree is very similar to its closest relative, the almond. This crop is self-pollinating, so despite the abundance of flowers, the yield is very high. According to rough estimates, the number of useful ovaries and peaches per tree, relative to the number of open buds, is approximately 26-60.5%. The generally accepted gradation by hybrid fruit weight is:

very large – from 180 g;
large – from 150 g;
medium – from 90 g;
small – from 60 g;
very small – up to 60 g.

The fruit's shape varies—it can be round, elongated, flattened, or ovoid. A groove is present on one side of the fruit. Some varieties of this crop may lack the usual pubescence. An example of this is the nectarine. The skin is thin and varies in color from light green to deep red. The flesh is creamy in color and has a distinct aroma. Inside is a ribbed, dense stone—sometimes difficult to separate from the flesh.

Is a peach a fruit or a berry?

The peach tree is an artificially bred hybrid and does not occur naturally as a distinct plant. There is no definitive information about its origins, but experts suggest it originated in ancient China. The question of whether it is a fruit or a berry is straightforward—to determine whether it is a berry, consider the definitions of the two terms. A berry is characterized by a low-growing, bushy plant and fruit containing many seeds. A fruit, on the other hand, has juicy flesh, a central pit, and is formed on a tree, often tall.

The fruits of this hybrid are divided into groups:

Real - the sweet flesh separates easily from the fuzz-covered skin and pit.
Nectarine - the stone is separated from the fruit pulp, and the surface of the skin is smooth and not pubescent.
Pavias - the tender flesh is difficult to separate from the drupe, but the surface is pubescent.
Brugnones - the surface of the fruit is smooth, like a nectarine, but the stone is difficult to remove.
Klings – the drupe is difficult to separate from the tough cartilaginous flesh. They are used for preserving.
Fig is a slightly flattened fruit covered with fluff and sweet, tender pulp.

Attention!

The classification of fruits does not indicate varietal affiliation; depending on the species, the characteristics of the fruit may vary.

How Peaches Grow

Fruit ripening times are closely tied to the climate in which the tree grows. The ripening season begins as early as late June, but the main harvest occurs in July and August. The fruit ripens best in southern regions, thanks to the warmth and sun. When harvested for sale, peaches are picked from the tree while still unripe and subjected to a special chemical treatment to extend their shelf life. Ripe fruit should meet the following qualities:

the color is bright - from shades of greenish-yellow to red;
the pulp is dense, but soft – depends on the variety;
weight and dimensions from average.

It's not advisable to leave the fruit on the tree for too long—when the fruit ripens and falls from the stem, it can be damaged by hitting the ground due to its softness. Unripe fruit can also be removed from the plant—if placed in the sun, they'll be ready to eat in 6-7 days. The planting location is also important—in a windy location, the fruit may not even form or may fall prematurely.

How the peach blossoms

The tree blooms in early spring, as soon as temperatures rise to 6-8ºC. However, care must be taken to protect the plant from recurrent frosts. Buds appear before the peach leaves have emerged. The petal color varies depending on the variety, from delicate to vibrant pink. During the flowering period, the branches of the peach tree are almost completely covered in buds, a fact often appreciated by decorators. Key characteristics:

bell-shaped buds along the entire shoot;
the diameter of each peach flower can reach 3.5 cm;
The petals are cup-shaped.

This plant resembles an apricot in appearance, but blooms 1-2 weeks later. Flowers remain on the branches for approximately 15 days. However, this period varies depending on the variety and climate. To ensure a normal harvest and large fruits, it is recommended to prune some branches of the peach tree during flowering. Failure to do so risks depleting the root system and overloading the main fruiting shoots.

Note!

The fruits ripen 80-150 days after flowering. Fertilizing is essential during this time, as the plant significantly depletes the soil.

Peach yield

Under favorable growing conditions and proper care, the plant produces abundant fruit. A single 15-year-old tree can yield up to 200-250 kg. Plants 3-4 years old can yield up to 35-60 kg. Frost-resistant varieties grafted onto closely related plants produce the best yields.

How many years does a peach tree bear fruit?

A peach tree can live up to 30 years, but maintaining this lifespan requires careful care. With standard care, the fruiting period can reach 10-16 years. However, if the hybrid is regularly renewed through pruning and a stable rootstock is selected, the harvest can be extended. To preserve the quality of the fruit, it is essential to remove damaged and old branches.

The peach is a hardy hybrid crop that can be grown in central and southern Russia. Its fruits are rich in flavor and nutritional value. Flowering occurs in early spring, and with proper cultivation practices, it can produce a large harvest—at least 20-30 kg per young tree. The plant's lifespan is short, but with regular renewal of branches, it can produce sweet fruit for up to 30 years.