There is hardly anything that makes a real gardener as proud as the peach tree that he himself has raised from seed to fruit-bearing tree. While growing peaches from seeds is relatively difficult and requires a lot of patience, propagation via cuttings is usually quite straightforward.
How to grow a peach yourself?
To grow a peach, you can use cuttings, graft plant parts or sow the peach pit from true varieties. After the young peach tree has successfully grown, it can be planted out in the garden in spring.
Gaining a peach from a cutting
Choose suitable ones in spring, i.e. H. Remove annual shoots that are not yet woody and cut them to a length of 10 to 15 centimeters. The cutting edge should not be straight, but rather diagonal. This makes it easier for the cutting to absorb water later. Now you can plant the branch in a pot with potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon), place it in a bright and warm location and always keep the soil moist. After a few weeks to months, the peach will take root. Don't plant the young peach outdoors until the following spring.
Refining a peach
Instead of taking a cutting, you can also cut annual branches from a perennial tree and graft them, i.e. H. graft onto a suitable base. The scions are removed from the tree either at the end of winter dormancy (March or April) or in August. The shoots must be he althy and at least as strong as a pencil. Use a robust and resilient peach variety as a base; cherries are also often used as such. The rootstock should be as closely related to the scion as possible so that both shoots grow together well. Techniques that can be used include inoculation or bark grafting.
Growing a peach from a seed
Some types of peaches can also be grown from the peach stone. It is advisable to only use genuine peaches. However, before the nucleus can germinate, it must first be stratified, i.e. H. Stored in a box with moist sand in a dark place over the winter. The process cannot be shortened by simply placing the kernel in the freezer - then it will no longer be able to germinate. Sowing takes place the following spring.
Planting out and caring for the young tree
Once you have grown a young peach tree, you can plant it outdoors when it is about a year old. The following criteria are important:
- The tree needs a protected, sunny location.
- A spot on a wall or wall is best.
- However, maintain the planting distance.
- The plant should be on the side away from the rain.
- Support the young tree with a plant stick.
- Water after planting, but do not fertilize.
Tips & Tricks
You should prune your young peach vigorously before planting out, as this stimulates the growth of the shoots. The young tree can also be transplanted again a year later to activate root growth.
