- Growth type: medium-sized
- Ripening period: average
- Self-fertility: self-fertile
- Appointment: for fresh consumption, for canning, for making juices
- Yield: high
- Marketability: high
- Transportability: high
- Early maturity: begins to bear fruit in the 2nd year after planting
- Separability of the bone from the pulp: separates effortlessly
- Winter hardiness: high
In order to place as many fruit trees as possible on a small personal plot, it is enough to choose compact varieties for planting. These include the honey peach variety, which can be grown not only in the country, but also in a pot, placed on a balcony or terrace.
Description of the variety
Honey Peach is a popular variety of pillar trees. It is characterized by compactness (crown diameter does not exceed 120 cm), a straight oval-elongated crown, well thickened with drooping emerald-green leaves with a glossy surface, a strong central trunk of light brown color. Under favorable conditions, a dwarf tree grows up to 150-200 cm in height. The culture grows rather slowly, gaining maximum height in the 4th year of growth.
Due to its unusual shape and beauty during flowering, fruiting, Honey peach is often planted as an ornamental plant - as a garden decoration. The tree blooms in May. At this time, it is covered with large light flowers that emit a sweet aroma.
Fruit characteristics
Honey Peach is a representative of the large-fruited class. A healthy tree grows fruits with an average weight of 150-160 grams, but in practice the fruits gain weight up to 200 g. The shape of the peach is correct - round, with a smooth velvety surface. The abdominal suture in fruits is pronounced. Ripe fruits have a beautiful color - light yellow, diluted with a deep red blush, covering almost half of the surface. Peach peels are thin, fleecy, without stiffness.
Ripe fruits have a wide range of applications - they are eaten fresh, used in cooking, stewed fruit, pickled, canned, processed into preserves and jams.
The fruits removed from the tree can be transported over long distances. The keeping quality of fruits is good - 6-7 days, but it was noticed that fruits plucked at the stage of technical maturity are stored longer. Fruit softening is slow.
Taste qualities
The honey variety has excellent taste. The greenish-white flesh has a delicate, moderately fleshy, fibrous and juicy texture. The taste is dominated by bright sweetness with hints of sugary, complemented by a pineapple flavor. The aroma of the fruit is light and pleasant. The medium sized bone is easily separated from the pulp. Skin without bitterness.
Ripening and fruiting
Honey belongs to the category of early-growing varieties with medium ripening periods. Fruit crop bears fruit in the second year after planting. Peaches are singing together. The phase of active fruiting occurs in mid-July. Ripe fruits do not crumble. The tree has a shortened productive period - only 7-10 years.
Yield
Despite the fact that the pillar tree is very small, it gives an excellent harvest. With intensive agricultural technology, an average of 8 to 12 kg of large and juicy fruits can be removed from one tree.
Self-fertility and the need for pollinators
The peach species Honey is declared self-fertile, so there is no need to plant donor trees on the site. In addition, the sweet scent during flowering attracts bees and other insects well.
Growing and care
Planting of seedlings can be carried out both in the spring (before the beginning of the growing season) and in the fall (30-40 days before stable frosts).It is important that the pillar tree grows at a distance of 4 meters from tall plantings, otherwise the crowns will create shade that is undesirable for the peach.
Peach care is standard, which does not require special skills: watering, fertilizing (three times per season, alternating mineral and organic matter), regular loosening of the near-stem zone, spring and autumn pruning of dry twigs, mulching in the autumn and prevention of diseases and pest infestations.
Frost resistance and the need for shelter
Honey Peach is characterized by high frost resistance, surviving temperature drops to –30… 40 degrees. The tree does not need shelter, but in regions with harsh winters, it is recommended to wrap the peach with agrofibre or burlap.
Disease and pest resistance
Due to its good immune defense, the dwarf tree is extremely rarely exposed to diseases such as powdery mildew, curly foliage or clotterosporia. For insect pests, the tree is also unattractive.
Requirements for soil and climatic conditions
Honey Peach is a thermophilic culture that needs abundant light, sun, moisture, so it should be planted only in the southern part of the site. The tree grows comfortably in loose, fertile, breathable soil with low acidity. It is better to choose a site on a small hill with a deep bed of groundwater.
In addition, the fruit tree has a high drought resistance, easily tolerates hot days. Excessive dampness and cold winds negatively affect the culture.