If I plant a Fredericksburg Peach seed, will I be able to grow a tree? I wasn't sure if the trees are grafted, etc. Has anyone tried this?
Fredericksburg Peaches?
They are grafted peaches.
I don't ever have much luck growing trees from pits, period, but obviously it can be done or there wouldn't be any trees. You might want to play with it just to see. But yeah, if you want fruit, better to just buy one already growing from the nursery.
"Fredericksburg peaches" isn't a variety, it's just the place. A&M has a list of varieties they consider appropriate. Some folks here should be able to add their personal experience. (Note that the map with average chill time includes some pretty narrow bands. Think about the characteristics of your specific site, don't just blindly go by the map location.) If there's an orchard you particularly enjoy in Fredericksburg, give them a call and I'd imagine they'd be happy to let you know what they're growing.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/peach/peach.html
Thanks for the help Dean and relabirdlady. We have some property in Blanco that we hope to have some fruit trees on, so I am sure I can get some help from someone in Fredericksburg on a variety of tree to buy. Sounds like the pit route isn't really a good choice.
The good thing about peaches is that seedlings often give you a decent tasting peach. It will not be the same peach that you ate from Fredericksburg but you have a decent chance that it will taste good. This is not true for most other fruit. Another good thing about peaches is that they can fruit very early from seeds. Often you will get your first fruit three years after planting. I had one come up last year and it only grew about 12 inches. It is over 6 feet and growing this year. I expect to get a few peaches next year.
I would plant your seed now and hope it comes up before winter but more than likely, it will come up next spring. In fact, I would plant 50 seeds and hope for the best.
Thanks Lee. Maybe it's worth a shot after all. Unless you have a peach seedling you'd part with! : )
Tonya
Here is a picture of the sprout that came up late Spring last year. This is just 14 months of growth in clay with no fertilizer. None of my other plants perform this well. I am 6'3" and it was about 4 inches taller than me.
This message was edited Jun 21, 2010 3:58 PM
Wow, that is fast growth. Did you plant the peach seed or was it volunteer?
We just tossed it after eating.
Too funny, congrats on what appears to be a fine tree! Ihope it's fruit is wonderful.