Peach - prunus persica

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Peach - prunus persica

By goodadmin | December 14, 2007

The Peach - Prunus persica is a species of Prunus. It belongs to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It is native to China and produces an edible fruit also known as a peach.

The peach is a deciduous tree growing to 5-10 m tall. The leaves are 7-15 cm long and 2-3 cm broad. Flowers are developed in early spring before the leaves; they are solitary or paired, pink in color and with five petals. Peaches, along with cherries, plums and apricots, are stone fruits (drupes).

The fruit is 8cm across, yellow or red-brown in color, has a single large seed encased in a hard wood cell, oval shaped and 1.5-2 cm long. Flesh is yellow or whitish with a delicate aroma It can easily bruise in most cultivars.

Peach trees grow in a restricted range of climates since they have chilling requirements that subtropical regions cannot offer and, they are not very cold-hardy. Trees can generally stand temperatures up to −30 °C. However, blossom buds begin to die at temperatures between −15 °C and −25 °C for most cultivars and if temperatures drop below −4 °C, most flowers will be killed.

Most peach trees are listed cultivars grafted onto a desirable rootstock. It is possible to raise a tree from seed, but the fruit quality will be uncertain. Peaches are best planted in early wintertime, as this provides time for the roots to be established. Peaches favor full sun position and good air flow. They have a high nutrient requirement and need a good water supply.

The trees are prone to a disease called leaf curl and the fruit is very vulnerable to brown rot.

Almond - Peach (prunus amygdalus persica) is a hybrid which produces an edible fruit with an edible kernel and can be grown and cultivated the same way as the peach tree.

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