Peach
:''This article is about the fruit; For alternate uses, see
Peach (disambiguation).''
The
peach is a
tree,
Prunus persica, and the juicy fruit that it bears, which has a single large seed encased in hard wood (called the
pit or
stone), yellow or whitish flesh, a delicate aroma, and a velvety skin. Peaches, along with
cherries,
plums, and
apricots, are stone fruits (drupes). Cultivated peaches are divided into
freestone and
clingstone varieties, depending on whether the flesh sticks to the pit; both kinds can be any color. Peaches with white flesh typically are very sweet with little
acid flavor, while yellow-fleshed peaches typically have an acidic tang coupled with sweetness. Both colors often have some red on their skin. Low-acid white-fleshed peaches are the most popular kinds in
China,
Japan, and neighboring
Asian countries, while
Europeans and
North Americans have historically favored the acidic, yellow-fleshed kinds.
The peach blossom is the
state flower of
Delaware.
Nectarines
Nectarine tree in full flower
The
nectarine is a variant of peach that has a fuzzless skin. Though grocers treat fuzzy peaches and nectarines as different fruits, they belong to the same species. Nectarines have arisen many times from fuzzy peaches, often as
bud sports. Nectarines can be white, yellow, clingstone, or freestone. Regular peach trees occasionally produce a few nectarines, and vice versa. Nectarines are more easily damaged than fuzzy peaches. The history of the nectarine is unclear; the first recorded mention is from 1616 in
England, but they had probably been grown very much earlier in central Asia.
Culture
Peach trees grow well in a fairly limited range, since they have a chilling requirement that subtropical areas cannot satisfy, and they are not very hardy. A lot of summer heat is required to mature the crop. Important peach-producing areas are
California, the countries surrounding the Mediterranean,
South Carolina,
Colorado,
Georgia and neighboring US states, and parts of
China.
Most peach trees sold by nurseries are grafted
cultivars. The trees are prone to a disease called leaf curl, which usually does not directly affect the fruit but does reduce the crop yield by partially defoliating the tree. The fruit is very susceptible to
brown rot.
Planting
Flameprince peaches
Peaches should be located in full sun, and with good air flow. This allows cold air to flow away on frosty nights and keeps the area cool in summer. Peaches are best planted in early winter, as this allows time for the roots to establish and be able to sustain the new spring growth. When planting in rows, plant north-south.
Watering
Peaches should maintain a constant supply of water. This should be increased shortly before the harvest. Best tasting fruit is produced when the peach is watered throughout the season. Drip irrigation is ideal, at least one dripper per tree. Although it is better to use multiple drippers around the tree, this is not necessary. A quarter of the root being watered is sufficient.
Fertilizing
Peaches have a high nutrient requirement, needing more
nitrogen than most other fruit trees. An NPK
fertilizer can be applied regularly, and an additional mulch of poultry manure in autumn soon after the harvest will benefit the tree. If the leaves of the peach are yellow or small, the tree needs more nitrogen.
Blood and
bone meal, 3-5 kg per mature tree, or calcium ammonium nitrate, 0.5-1 kg, are suitable fertilisers. This also applies if the tree is putting forth little growth.
Tips for good fruit
Autumn Red peaches
If the full amount of peaches is left, they will be undersized and lacking in sugar and flavor. In dry conditions, extra watering is important. The fruit should be thinned when they have reached 2 cm in diameter, usually about 2 months after flowering. Fresh fruit are best consumed in the day of picking, and do not keep well. They are best eaten when the fruit is slightly soft, having aroma, and heated by the sun.
Peaches in Asian Tradition
Flavorcrest peaches
Botanists believe peaches are native to
Persia, China and Asia where it became known not only as a popular fruit but for the many folktales and traditions associated with it. The word peach itself is a corruption of the Latin word
Persica meaning
Persian.
Momotaro, one of Japan's most noble and semi-historical heroes, was born from within an enormous peach floating down a stream. Momotaro or "Peach Boy" went on to fight evil
oni and face many adventures.
In China, the peach was said to be consumed by the immortals due to its mystic virtue of conferring longevity on all who ate them. Yu Huang or the
Jade Emperor had a wife named Hsi Wang Mu also known as Queen Mother of the West. Hsi Wang Mu ensured the gods' everlasting existence by feeding them the peaches of immortality. The immortals residing in the palace of Hsi Wang Mu were said to celebrate an extravagant banquet called P'an-t'ao Hui or "The Feast of Peaches". The immortals waited six thousand years before gathering for this magnificent feast; the peach tree put forth leaves once every thousand years and it required another three thousand years for the fruit to ripen. Ivory statues depicting Hsi Wang Mu's attendants often held three peaches.
Peach (variety Berry) - watercolor 1895
The peach often plays an important part in Chinese tradition and are symbolic of long life. One example is in the peach-gathering story of Chang Tao-ling, who many say is the true founder of
Taoism. Chang Kuo, one of the Chinese
Eight Immortals, is often depicted carrying a Peach of Immortality.
Peach trivia
Though
Cosmo Kramer, a character on
Seinfeld, eats a
Mackinaw peach, no such variety exists.
da:Fersken
de:Pfirsich
es:Melocotón
eo:Persiko
fr:Pêche (fruit)
nl:Perzik
ja:モモ (植物)
zh:桃
Category:Fruit