Prunus persica

Prunus persica is part of the Rosaceae family of plants. It is a deciduous tree that grows to 25ft or 8m tall. It is native to China. This is the tree that is cultivated to produce peaches and nectarines. Peaches and nectarines are the same species, whereas the skin of peaches has a fuzz.

They call it persica in reference to its popular cultivation in Persia or modern-day Iran. It belongs to the genus Prunus which includes many different fruits such as plums, cherries, apricots, and almonds. These trees usually have a 10-20 year lifespan.

Prunus persica leaves are lanceolate and pinnately veined. The leaves turn a golden yellow in autumn. It flowers profusely in early spring usually before the leaves appear. The flowers are pink usually with five petals. The fruit is fleshy usually yellow or whitish. It has a single large seed inside a woody husk.

How to grow Prunus persica:

Grow Prunus persica in the sun. Plant it in spring, in well-drained soil, bear in mind it prefers acidic to neutral soil. Fertilize and spray the tree regularly. Propagate by cutting and grafting. Prune annually and prune while the tree is in bloom. Prune so it is thinned out in the center, therefore, allowing light to pass through to all branches. Fruit is produced on second-year growth. Remove all suckers and non-fruiting wood. You can thin the fruits for a better crop.