My peaches have a slightly bitter taste. For the first few years they tasted great, but the last two the peaches have been bitter. Any suggestions?
You might have had a hot spell and didnt water enough. You also could have soil that is too alkaline.
Not enough rain during hot weather causing rot coming from the core,so sorry
That is so disappointing. When we had a peach tree at my grandmother's house, the peaches were really bitter (and rock hard) the summer before the tree died.
Back then (this was well over 50 years ago) we didn't have Google and she didn't care to go to the library to figure out how to fix it or what could have been done to prevent it from happening. I think she was secretly happy that it died because the fallen peaches brought bees and she couldn't enjoy her back patio when there were bees.
That said...today we know that we should have checked for a fungus and found a home remedy if the tree had one (green or white scales on the bark--especiailly near the base could mean you have an issue).
And we would have better protected it during a frost (frostbit plants produce bitter fruit) or that are lack of pruning could be a strain on the tree. Unpruned trees often produce bitter fruit.
I do know that there was an old man in the neighborhood who took those bitter peaches and made peach wine with them. I was just a kid so no wine for me...but he was a true product of the depression and made something good from something bad.
I hope you find a solution and can save the tree and get a better crop next season. For these, maybe look into making some wine!!
How do I care for a Bonfire patio peach tree? It is in its first year.
Well, they certainly are pretty most of the time and they usually smell yummy! But, not very palatable, at least to me.
Just as a word of caution here is some information to remember:
"The leaves, twigs and stems are all poisonous and can be fatal if eaten, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension."
The lovely light pink to light purple blooms of peach trees herald the delicious fruit to follow. This page contains beautiful peach tree photos.
The fruit gets about a half inch, then dries up and falls off.
By Jose
Years ago when we had a peach tree which had that problem I came across an article in our local newspaper to use epsom salts. Can't remember if there was an amount given but perhaps you could check Google!
We have two, from pits, peach trees. I hand thin the peaches as they grow. They get a little larger than a golf ball with some color, but never fully ripen. I fertilize twice a year and spray as needed. What do you think?
By Bill from Virginia Beach, VA
This is a page about growing peach trees from pits. Peach trees can be started from pits. Should you want to try growing your own trees from seed, there are some important steps to follow to improve your success.
I have a Red Haven dwarf peach tree and this year I noticed it had mold and fungus on the peaches. The season is over and the peaches were all full of bugs and worms. I want to help this tree for the future, so I pruned it and cleared all the debris off the ground.
I would like to know if there is something I can do to eliminate the mold and fungus without harming butterflies and hummingbirds?
Hardiness Zone: 6a
By Michelle
For worm and bugs put a gallon jug of water and sugar near the peach tree. The worms will crawl in the
jug and died. I read this in a garden book. I have never tried but its worth a try.
Here are my peaches this year. I haven't had any peaches on this tree for the last few years, it almost died and has been making a slow comeback. This year, the tree was loaded!
We have a small "patio peach" planted and after every rain this year we lose a bunch of little baby peaches which seem to be growing fine otherwise. We have had a few nice rainstorms and some showers for the last three weeks. Why are we are losing so many little peaches. I've included a picture and if you look closely you can see the baby peaches on the ground. Thank you.
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By APRIL from SC
You might try putting one of those patio umbrella over them this might help, of tie a large trash bags over them. This might help.
I also live in SC and the same thing is happening to my peach tree
