Content
Veteran Peach is an old Canadian variety that is still popular among gardeners. Its yield, as well as the characteristics of the fruit, are not inferior to new breeding developments. The tree is quite hardy if you follow all the rules of planting and agricultural practices.
History of variety selection
The Veteran peach appeared thanks to Canadian breeders in 1925. Bred in Ontario. This is the result of crossing the Elberta early and Vaikan varieties. State testing has been taking place since 1948. Today this is one of the peach varieties in demand among gardeners.
Description of peach Veteran
The Veteran peach variety has a medium-sized tree, the height of which does not exceed 4 m. The crown is spherical and dense. The fruits are round in shape, their marketable weight is 135–185 g. The peel of the Veteran peach is bright yellow, with a reddish blush occupying most of its surface. The pulp is not very dense, yellowish in color, juicy, and has a persistent and pronounced aroma.
In the photo, the Veteran peach matches the description:
The Veteran variety was included in the State Register in 1959. Recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region: in Kabardino-Balkaria, Krasnodar Territory, and the Republic of Adygea. Veteran peaches ripen well in Crimea.
Characteristics of the variety
Due to its characteristics, this variety has not lost ground for almost a hundred years. Its hardiness, ripening period and taste of the fruit make Veteran one of the favorite crops of gardeners in the southern regions.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The winter hardiness of the Veteran peach variety is rated above average in the description. In general, peach trees are hardy, but are susceptible to severe frosts. They survive temperature drops to -20–22 °C, but there is a risk of damage to the buds, flower ovaries and roots located in the top layer of soil. The Veteran variety tolerates drought better than frost. It is also heat resistant.
Does the variety need pollinators?
The Veteran peach is self-fertile, that is, it does not require pollinators. But yields may increase if there are other varieties on the site.
Productivity and fruiting
The variety is fast-bearing - the young tree produces peaches already in the 3rd year. But it is not recommended to harvest until 5–6 years of age in order to allow the plant to develop. The taste of Veteran peach is assessed as good. Fully ripened fruit is sweet with slight sourness.
Peach Veteran is shown in the photo:
The culture belongs to varieties with an average ripening period. The main harvest is harvested starting in the second half of August. An adult tree produces 45–50 kg of fruit. High productivity is ensured by the many flower buds that are laid annually.
Area of application of fruits
Veteran peach fruits are universal in use. According to gardeners, they are excellent for preservation. Their high taste also allows them to be consumed fresh. Peaches store well and withstand transportation.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Peach variety Veteran is endowed with resistance to clasterosporia and cytosporosis. The tree has slightly less immunity to powdery mildew. Subject to attacks by aphids.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
According to the description, Veteran peach has the following advantages:
- high productivity;
- good taste of fruits;
- precociousness;
- self-pollinating;
- good indicators of keeping quality and transportability of fruits;
- resistance to klyasterosporiosis and cytosporosis.
The disadvantages include a fairly low immunity to powdery mildew, as well as a very thick crown.
Rules for planting peach
In order for the Veteran variety to take root and grow healthy, a number of rules must be followed when planting. Mistakes can even lead to the death of a tree. This is especially true when choosing a place for a peach and adhering to planting dates.
Recommended timing
There is no consensus among gardeners about planting peaches: some prefer to do it in the fall, others in the spring. If you carry out the procedure before winter, there is a risk that the young tree will not have time to take root well and will freeze. Spring planting is risky because the peach will suffer from pests and diseases.
It is not possible to perform this procedure in the fall in all regions. In temperate climates, only spring planting is possible. It makes sense to root a peach in the fall if winter comes in accordance with the calendar and the temperature does not drop below -15 °C.That is, the tree must have 8-10 weeks left before frost in order to get stronger and survive the winter. In autumn, as a rule, there is a larger selection of seedlings, and they also have leaves and a developed root system, which allows us to judge their quality.
The Veteran peach is planted when it enters its dormant period. For southern Russia, northeast and northwestern Ukraine, the recommended period is September 10–15. In the Crimea, Krasnodar Territory and southern Ukraine, Veteran peach varieties can be planted until October 20, and if winter is predicted to come later, then until November 10.
In the temperate climate of the Ural and Siberian regions, peaches do not have time to form ovaries and ripen. Such trees can only be grown there in greenhouses and conservatories.
Choosing a suitable location
Peach is demanding of heat and sunlight. The culture does not tolerate transplantation very well, so you need to choose a place very carefully. The peach tree grows well in heat and drought conditions, but drafts and excessive dampness can destroy it.
They try to place the seedling on the south side of the site. It should not be shadowed by any structures or other trees. On the north side, it is better to protect the peach with a fence or hedge, placing the seedling 2 m from the wall.
The tree cannot be grown in lowlands, because the soil there is often waterlogged and cold air stagnates. Groundwater must pass at least 1.5 m from the surface. Peach trees grow very well on the southern or southeastern slopes of the hill.
The seedling should not be placed in a place where nightshades or melons grew before. Fungal diseases can be transmitted from sunflowers, strawberries, clover and legumes.Rye and oats are good predecessors for peach.
Yield indicators depend on the composition of the soil. Sandy and loamy soils, as well as black soil, are best suited. There is sufficient humidity and a large amount of lime. The peach tree will not grow on saline soils and places where the carbonate content is high.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Selecting a seedling is a very important stage, which determines how healthy and strong the tree will grow on the site for several years. Key points to consider when choosing material:
- It is best to buy seedlings from nurseries located in the area where peach trees will grow.
- You should not take the product at the lowest price.
- You should not purchase a peach too early - it must be dug up during the dormant period, otherwise it will not take root well. In good seedlings, the shoots are covered with bark, and the buds are fully formed.
- The variety must be suitable for the climate of the area in terms of characteristics.
- The choice of the age of the seedling depends on the experience of the gardener - for beginners it is better to take a 2-year-old peach 1.5 m high and with 3-4 branches, but skilled ones will be able to cope with an annual seedling in the form of a twig 1 m high.
- In appearance, the tree should be strong and sturdy, without signs of damage or disease. Peach has a fibrous root system; therefore, a seedling with one root should not be taken. Limp leaves and peeling bark should alert you to the fact that you don’t need to buy such a plant.
If you had to buy a seedling far from the site and need to transport it, it is worth remembering that sudden changes in temperature and humidity harm it. The roots should be wrapped in a wet cloth, covered with polyethylene on top and secured.
It is not recommended to immediately unpack the future tree - it is left in this form for 2 days. The day before planting, the seedling is placed in a container with clean water, so that both roots and branches are immersed. You can add a growth stimulator to the liquid.
Landing algorithm
2 months before planting, the area is cleared of stones and plant debris and dug up. This way the soil is saturated with oxygen. The size of the hole depends on the seedling, but it cannot be less than 0.5 m in depth, length and width. If necessary, drainage is made from expanded clay, pebbles or fragments of bricks. Its height is approximately 20 cm - this must be taken into account when planning the size of the pit.
The top layer of soil is removed, but the rest of the soil from the pit is mixed with 2 buckets of humus and 0.5 kg of wood ash and poured back in the form of a cone. The Veteran peach planting algorithm looks like this:
- First, two supports are stuck into the hole - if you do this later, you can damage the roots.
- Then 6 liters of water are poured in and wait until it goes into the soil.
- Next, the seedling is placed vertically and the roots are spread along the earthen hill. The root collar should be 3–5 cm above the ground.
- The soil is placed back into the hole, filling it to the brim.
- The peach is tied to the supports, but not too tightly.
- Afterwards, the plant is watered using 8–10 liters of water.
- The soil should be slightly compacted; at a distance of about 0.5 m from the trunk, an earthen roll 15 cm high should be formed.
- Next, mulch with peat, sawdust, and dry leaves.
Peach aftercare
Peach Veteran requires moisture in the soil.Fertilizing is necessary in the spring - nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied. Humus is also used. In autumn, the tree is fertilized with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.
If the seedling is well developed, then pruning is done immediately. Veteran peach requires crown formation because it tends to thicken. The pruning procedure is carried out from the very beginning of the appearance of the buds until they open. In the fall, after harvesting, the tree needs sanitary pruning - removing dry and diseased branches.
Reasons why pruning is necessary:
- maintaining a balance between the crown and roots;
- ensuring tree health;
- the peach will enter the fruiting season faster;
- Convenience when harvesting and processing wood.
Peach is a heat-loving crop, so in regions with cold winters, it must be covered. This must be done if the temperature remains below -20 °C for more than a month. The main rule is to use natural materials that allow air to pass through. Usually the trunk is wrapped in burlap and earth 30 cm high is poured nearby. This will also protect the tree from rodents. The shelter is removed when the temperature is fixed at +5–10 °C.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The Veteran peach is resistant to most common diseases, and its main pest is aphids. A number of preventive measures will help avoid insect attacks:
- deletion weed;
- removal of root shoots;
- spring treatment with insecticides;
- timely pruning of diseased and dried branches.
The drugs Intavir and Iskra are effective against aphids; they also decompose quickly.Among folk remedies, wormwood, celandine and ash are widely used.
Conclusion
Peach Veteran rightfully deserves such fame. These fruits appear on the shelves of the southern regions every season and grow in many garden plots. The variety's resistance to weather changes and most diseases makes its cultivation easy even for beginners.
