Free-standing trees are trained most commonly to open center with 3-5 scaffolds radiating from the trunk 18-36" above the ground (top). Peaches can be trained to central leader (center), or perpendicular V (bottom); a variety of trellised systems are used in Europe.
Rootstocks
Peach Tree Short Life is a rootstock- and soil-related syndrome or complex, not a disorder attributable to a specific organism. It is common in the southeastern USA. PTSL is characterized by sudden death of trees above the soil line in spring, that were apparently healthy the previous fall. Profuse suckering usually occurs since roots are not killed. PTSL can be avoided by not replanting trees on old peach sites, or by using ‘Guardian' rootstock, which is tolerant. Predisposing factors such as low soil pH, hardpans, low nutrient levels, ring nematode buildup, cultivation, fluctuating winter temperatures, fall pruning, and use of Nemaguard rootstock all accentuate PTSL.
Rootstock Characteristics
Bailey
Cold hardy rootstock with good overall performance; best in the northern states
Guardian
Vigorous rootstock with resistance to peach tree short life syndrome; slightly more expensive. Used extensively in the eastern USA, and in areas where peaches were planted previously.
GF677 (Amandier)
A peach-almond hybrid for adaptation to high pH soils; highly vigorous; not well adapted for eastern US
Halford
Good overall rootstock for northern states
Lovell
Moderately invigorating rootstock with fair resistance to peach tree short life
Nemaguard
Invigorating rootstock with resistance to root knot nematode; susceptible to other nematodes and peach tree short life
Siberian C
Cold hardy rootstock used only in the northern tier of states and Canada; short-lived and poor in the southern states
Planting Design, Training, Pruning Planting Design - Free-standing peach orchards - rectangular spacings of 18 x 20 ft (110 trees/acre), or 12-15 x 18 ft (161-202 trees/acre), Trellised systems - 300-500 trees/acre. Pollinizers are not needed, but growers must plant several different cultivars to extend their marketing season, since peaches ripen quickly and cannot be stored for more than 1-2 weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment