How do peach trees reproduce

Peach trees are deciduous and have a lifespan of a little under fifty years. Originating in China, the peach tree, like most other temperate and tropical plants, is an angiosperm. As such, their seeds are enclosed within the fruit that grows on them. When one of the seeds from the fruit is released and lands on the ground, the process of growth begins anew. In contrast, most apples grown from seedlings will take many years to fruit, and will not be the same as the parent.

Planting fruit from seeds is easy: eat the fruit and, if you enjoy it, plant the seed. There is no need to dry or otherwise treat the seed first. Seedlings do best when planted where they are going to grow. Suppress grass and other plants around them, and they may need some extra water in the first year or so. Planting them into pots can make care in the first year easier, but this will restrict the roots, negating some of the advantages of seedlings. Most fruit tree seeds need a period of cold before they germinate, so grow them outside, exposed to the winter weather.

Most species will sprout the following spring. Plant peaches in full sun where they are not shaded by buildings, fences or large trees. Do not plant in areas where roots will compete with shrubs or other tree root systems. Peach trees need 13 minerals from the soil to maintain health. The nutrient content of soil is maintained by using mature compost yearly as fertilizer.

Peach trees also benefit from a layer of straw, shredded bark or leaves as mulch. Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree to keep soil warm, reduce weed growth and conserve water. Well-pruned and maintained peach trees pollinate and produce good quality fruit. Cut off all diseased, broken and crossed branches in late winter before the buds begin to swell.

Pruning improves air circulation and light availability. Dip the seed into a bleach solution with 10 parts water to 1 part bleach. Allow the seed to air dry, and then apply a fungicide to the seed to further inhibit mold growth. Mother Nature provides a cold treatment for peach seeds that allows the embryo to develop and mature before germination can occur.

You must provide the same conditions for your seed to germinate. Many fruit seeds require this cold period , but peaches need one of the longest treatments—about four months. The ideal temperature for this treatment is between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so the refrigerator is perfect. Keep your peach seed apart from other produce in the refrigerator, which may emit ethylene gas that can have a negative effect on the seed's viability.

The deeply wrinkled covering you see on a peach pit is actually not part of the seed. This covering, called the endocarp, envelops the seed, which is smooth. Gently cracking the endocarp with a nutcracker or some pliers is optional and will speed up germination. Using a high-quality growing mix will ensure that your peach seed gets the best start. A soil-free sterile potting mix, sphagnum moss, or vermiculite are all suitable growing mediums for a peach seed.

Choose a large container at least 12 inches tall to allow room for the tap root to develop. Plant the seed 1 inch deep and keep moist. Now that your seed has completed its cold dormancy, you can place it in a warm environment to encourage sprouting. Depending on whether you cracked the endocarp, germination will take place in four to six weeks.