Growing Peaches and Nectarines

It surprises many of our customers when they see the large variety of edible plants for sale at our nursery.  Peaches and nectarines are two of our favorites that can be grown in SW Florida.  successfully in SW Florida. Peach and nectarine trees are two popular sellers at the nursery. This article provides information on how to select and successfully grow these delicious fruit trees.

General information:

The nectarine is actually a waxy-skin peach. A nectarine is obtained when a single gene change causes the absence of fuzz on the skin. Clingstone, Semi-cling and Freestone refer to the pit and the meat of the peach. Meat that does not detach from the pit is Clingstone. Meat that falls right off the pit is Freestone. Semi-cling is when the meat falls off the pit only when it is fully ripe. The melting flesh varieties are best suited for homeowners since they do not do well for commercial packing because they are too soft and bruise easily. Melting varieties are super sweet and juicy.

Chill Units:

These are the minimum number of hours of cold temperature in the range of 32 to 45 degrees, that the tree needs to produce fruit. It should be recognized that chilling effectiveness is not entirely measured by hours below 45 degrees. Temps that range from 45 to 55 degrees can also benefit peach trees to break dormancy.

Cold Damage:

Peach flower buds in February and March can withstand temps down to 20 degrees. However, open blooms can show injury at 26 degrees. Following petal drop, young fruit on the trees can be killed by a minimum temperature of 28 degrees.

Location, Soil and Planting:

Select a sunny location with well-drained sandy soil. Peaches and nectarines do not like wet feet and prefer a protected location from low lying areas known for frost. Peaches have beautiful showy blooms in early spring. They prefer a slight acidic soil. When planting, dig the hole larger than the container, mix a soil amendment such as shredded pine bark in the hole. Remove tree from container and place tree in the hole. Keep the top of the root ball at the same level or slightly higher than the existing ground level, NO DEEPER! Do not put fertilizer in the hole and water to fill in air pockets. Then fill with remaining soil to ground level. Peaches have low salt tolerance to salt sprays.

Watering:

Provide water at least 2 times a week. Make sure that the tree receives 1" of water per week. Do not provide extra water during the rainy season, as these trees do not like excessive water. Watering can also affect the size of the fruit.

Fertilizing:

Keep a 36 to 48" circle under tree clear of weeds and sod. Fertilize around this perimeter. Do not fertilize for at least six (6) weeks after planting. Use a high quality control-release fertilizer such as Nurseryman's Sure-Gro 8-2-12 which will provide some acidity to the soil. Fertilize in mid-February before blooms, late May, and again late July.

Our Favorite Low Chill Peach Varieties:

Florida Grande/ May to June harvest/ 75 to 100 chill hours/ Melting flesh/ Med to large fruit

Tropic Beauty/ April harvest/ 150 chill hours/ Melting/ Med-size

Tropic Snow/ May harvest/ 200 chill hours/ Melting/ Med- size fruit tastes tart but sweet

Florida Glo/ April to May harvest/ 150 chill hours/ Melting/ Med-size white flesh

Nectarines:

Sunracer/ May to June harvest/ 250 chill hours/ Melting/ Med-size yellow flesh; bright red skin color.

References:

Record Buck Care Guide for Homeowners

Home Fruit Production-Stonefruit: Mssrs: Stein, Lyons and Lipe; Extension Horticulturalists Texas A&M 9/4/2009

99HS1111/HS365 U of Florida IFAS Extension