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Peach Favorite Morettini is a common variety of Italian origin. It is distinguished by early ripening, universal use and disease resistance.
History of variety selection
The variety was bred in Italy, and it was named in honor of its creator, A. Morettini. The parent forms are Fertili Morrettini and Gella di Firenze. In 1987, information about the variety appeared in the state register.
Description of Morettini's Favorite peach
The tree is fast-growing and vigorous, the crown is spreading, round in shape. The leaves are green, elongated, boat-shaped. Flowering occurs in the mid-early period - the second half of April. The flowers are bell-shaped, medium in size, dark pink in color. The variety is suitable for cultivation in the North Caucasus and other warm regions.
Description of peach fruits of the Favorit variety:
- medium sizes;
- weight 110–120 g;
- round shape;
- there is a small tubercle at the apex;
- the skin is medium thick and can be removed without any problems;
- gentle pubescence;
- superficial ventral suture;
- main color yellow;
- 60% of the skin is occupied by reddish blurry spots;
- beige juicy pulp;
- The bone is difficult to come away from the pulp.
Characteristics of the variety
When choosing a peach, its important characteristics are taken into account: resistance to drought and cold, the need for a pollinator, yield and fruiting time.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The Morettini variety is characterized by average resistance to drought. The tree is watered according to the standard scheme. Frost resistance is below average. Peach tolerates winter cold down to -15 °C. Often tree shoots located above the snow cover freeze.
Does the variety need pollinators?
The Morettini peach is self-fertile. The formation of ovaries occurs without a pollinator. Suitable for pollinating other varieties that bloom early. The presence of a pollinator has a positive effect on crop yields. The optimal distance between trees is 3 m. To attract bees and other insects, honey-bearing plants are planted in the tree trunk circle. The formation of ovaries is also influenced by weather conditions: stable warm weather, absence of frosts, heavy rains and heat.
Productivity and fruiting
According to the description, the Morettini peach ripens early - at the end of June and until the end of July. The timing of fruiting depends on climatic conditions: the number of sunny days, precipitation, average daily temperature. The variety is considered early-bearing. Fruiting begins at 2–3 years of age.
The yield of the variety is 25–35 kg per tree, the maximum is 50 kg. Peak productivity occurs between 5 and 10 years of age.The taste of peach is high. The fruits do not fall off and hang on the branches for a long time after ripening. In terms of taste and commercial quality, Morettini is considered one of the best among yellow-fleshed peach varieties.
Area of application of fruits
Fruits of universal use. They are used fresh, including for juice. Morettini's favorite is stored at room temperature for 3-4 days, suitable for transportation.
Resistance to diseases and pests
According to reviews, Morettini's Favorite peach has average immunity to diseases and pests. The variety is susceptible to curling and gray rot. The tree needs regular treatments.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Peach Favorite Morettini has a number of advantages:
- early fruiting;
- sweet refined taste;
- high productivity;
- quality and presentation of fruits.
The main disadvantages of the Morettini variety:
- winter hardiness is below average;
- flowers are susceptible to return frosts.
Rules for planting peach
The productivity and growth of peach largely depend on compliance with planting rules. The best place for the crop is chosen, the timing of the work is chosen, the seedling and planting hole are prepared.
Recommended timing
The peach variety Favorite Morettini is planted in the fall, when the leaf fall ends. The seedling will have time to take root 3 weeks before the cold snap. If early frosts are expected, work is postponed until spring. The tree is buried in the area, insulated with humus and spruce branches. When the snow cover melts and the soil warms up, the peach is planted in a permanent place. Work is carried out before the leaves bloom.
Choosing a suitable location
Peach prefers sunny areas protected from the wind. It is best to choose a place for the seedling located on flat terrain, hills or a slight slope.In the lowlands, where moisture and cold air accumulate, the culture develops slowly. From apple, cherry, plum and other fruit trees, the seedling is removed at least 3 m.
Loamy or sandy loam soils are best suited for growing peach, as they increase the tree's cold resistance. In heavy clay soil, the crop freezes out more often and develops more slowly.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Seedlings 1–2 years old and 1–1.5 m high take root best. The trunk diameter is 20 mm. The seedling must have a grown conductor and several lateral branches. The plant is inspected for cracks in the bark, mold, lichen, rotten areas and other similar defects. Before planting, peach roots are trimmed and the trunk is shortened to a height of 0.9 m. All leaves are torn off, and the shoots are reduced by 1/3 of the length. If work is carried out in the fall, the above-ground part is not touched. Crown pruning is postponed until spring.
Landing algorithm
Regardless of the chosen planting time, the pit for the peach is prepared in advance. Within 3 weeks, the soil shrinks, which can seriously damage the seedling. If the tree is planned to be planted in the spring, then in the fall a pit is dug and filled with substrate.
The order of planting the Favorite Morettini variety:
- A hole with a diameter of 80 cm to a depth of 70 cm is dug in the area.
- Then a support made of wood or metal is dug in.
- To fill the pit, prepare a substrate: chernozem, 5 kg of compost, 180 g of wood ash, 60 g of superphosphate, 60 g of potassium salt.
- Half of the soil mixture is poured into the hole, into which 2 buckets of water are also poured.
- After the pit shrinks, a small hill of fertile soil is formed.
- A seedling is placed on the hill.Its roots are covered with black soil.
- The soil is compacted, and a bucket of water is poured under the peach.
Peach aftercare
The Favorite peach variety is watered 3-4 times during the season: during the flowering period, at the beginning of fruiting, 3 weeks before harvesting and in the fall in preparation for winter. 2-4 buckets of warm, settled water are poured under the tree.
In early spring, the Favorit variety is fed with a solution of urea or mullein. Nitrogen fertilizer promotes the growth of shoots and leaves. When the fruits ripen, they switch to foliar treatments. To 10 liters of water add 100 g of superphosphate, 60 g of ammonium sulfate and 30 g of calcium chloride. The resulting planting solution is sprayed in the evening or in cloudy weather.
Peach is a heat-loving crop, so it needs shelter for the winter. In autumn, 2 buckets of water are poured under the tree, then peat or humus is poured. A frame is placed over the young trees and agrofibre is attached to it. To protect the bark from rodents, install a mesh or casing made of a metal pipe.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
To avoid fungal infections, peach is treated with Horus, copper oxychloride, and Bordeaux mixture. The insecticides Iskra and Actellik help get rid of insects. Chemical treatments are stopped 20 days before harvesting. Simple agricultural techniques help to avoid the spread of diseases and insects: digging up the soil in the fall, cleaning out cracks in the bark, whitewashing the trunk, cleaning and burning fallen leaves.
Conclusion
Peach Favorite Morettini is a well-known variety with good taste. It is distinguished by high productivity and early fruiting.To plant peach, choose a sunny place and provide constant care throughout the season.
