Description:

The peach (Prunus persica) is a deciduous tree, native to Northwest China, in the region between the Tarim Basin and the north slopes of the Kunlun Shan mountains, where it was first domesticated and cultivated. It bears an edible juicy fruit also called a peach.

The species name persica refers to its widespread cultivation in Persia, whence it was transplanted to Europe. It belongs to the genus Prunus which includes the cherry and plum, in the family Rosaceae. The peach is classified with the almond in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by the corrugated seed shell.

Peaches and nectarines are the same species, even though they are regarded commercially as different fruits. In contrast to peaches, whose fruits present the characteristic fuzz on the skin, nectarines are characterized by the absence of fruit-skin trichomes (fuzz-less fruit); genetic studies suggest nectarines are produced due to a recessiveallele, whereas peaches are produced from a dominant allele for fuzzy skin.

China is the world's largest producer of peaches.

Cultivation Point:

1. Place the peach pit in a plastic bag and allow it to dry out in the refrigerator until autumn. Don't put any bananas or apples in the refrigerator with the peach pit, as apples and oranges produce ethylene gases that will prevent the peach pit from germinating.

2. Plant the peach pit in a protected area of your garden in autumn. Dig a hole and plant the pit about 4 inches deep. If you are planting more than one, allow 4 inches between each pit. Place a stake in the soil near the peach pit to remind you where the pit is planted.

3. Cover the peach pit with a 1-inch layer of organic mulch, such as pine needles, straw or leaves, then water the area, saturating the soil.

4. Water the area during the winter if the weather is dry. Watch for the pits to germinate when the weather warms in spring.

5. Move the peach seedling to its permanent location after the pit germinates in spring. Choose a location where the seedling will be protected from hot sunlight. Alternatively, transplant the seedling into a container and allow it to grow larger before planting the seedling permanently. Use a container such as a 2-pound coffee can filled with half sand and half garden soil. Cut a hole in the bottom of the can for drainage.