Dwarf Peach Tree in Container

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
ElizabethK Mars, PA Apr 02, 2006

I have a little dwarf peach tree that I purchased from either Stark or Miller last Spring. It spent the summer outdoors and rewarded me with about 20 little peaches! I brought it into my garage for the winter and it is now showing green leaves. I read somewhere (can't remember) that the tree should be brought outside approx. 6 weeks before the last frost. I was going to wait until after the last frost (around mid-May or 1st June in Pittsburgh) to bring it out. Does anyone out there have the correct answer? I want to make sure it blooms again and bears fruit. Thanks!

Post #2156910
Quote
StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) Apr 02, 2006

That timing is for a dormant tree. If it's already sprouting, I would keep it from freezing. I don't know where mars is located in PA, but unless you're on the Philly corner perhaps you should wait a little longer. Or it might be as simple as covering it on cold nights.

Guy S.

Post #2158224
Quote
tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Apr 02, 2006

It's best to keep containerized trees quiescent as long as possible in spring by keeping them as cool as possible. In the quiet stage after dormancy, the plant retains most of its cold-hardiness, but once it begins growing, it loses nearly all of it and must be protected from freezing. The problem is, the plant also needs good light, which won't likely be found in the garage and it will rebel at indoor conditions.

Your plant could also be in big trouble if it freezes. The amount of energy a tree begins a new growth cycle with is finite and depends largely on what vitality the tree showed during late summer and fall in year previous. If the tree was growing well, it might be able to tolerate the loss of a first flush of foliage. If it was growing under stress or strain, the energy drain of having to replace lost leaves may be sufficient to render the tree too weak to push additional foliage, so the tree would die.

Best, from an energy management perspective, is to move the tree outdoors when temps are to be above 40 (days?) and keep under cover but in a bright spot when outdoor temps are too cool (nights?). This will preserve the emerging foliage and maximize food (energy) production via photosynthesis.

Al

Post #2158250
Quote
ElizabethK Mars, PA Apr 04, 2006

Thanks for so much info! I will try moving it outside and covering at night. I'm north of Pittsburgh, so some days are still cold (today) and others are warm. Thanks, again.

Post #2162220
Quote
ElizabethK Mars, PA Apr 04, 2006

Well it's 50 here in Pittsburgh today, so I moved my little peach tree outside into the shade. I guess I will move it out every day and bring it in at night when it's below freezing. I will also slowly move it to a sunny location. It did really well last year, produced fruit and did not looked stressed to me. Hopefully this will be a good year for my little tree too!

Post #2163352
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads

Go to all Trees, Shrubs and Conifers threads
BACK TO TOP