Detailed Explanation of Peach Planting Methods and Technical Key Points

Peach Planting

Grafting is the main method, but propagation can also be done by sowing, cuttings and layering.

Cuttings

Use hardwood cuttings in spring and softwood cuttings during the plum rain season. Cutting branches must be grown robustly and be full and solid. Hardwood cuttings are taken mainly in spring; cut the cuttings diagonally at about 20 cm, and to prevent disease infection and promote rooting, the lower end of the cuttings is best dipped quickly in a fungicide solution of 50% carbendazim at 600-1,200 times dilution, or in indolebutyric acid at 750-4,500 mg/L, before inserting them. The plant and row spacing is 4 cm x 30 cm, and the insertion depth should preferably be 2/3 of the cutting length.

Grafting

For propagation, the rootstock is mostly mountain peach or peach seedlings (own-root stock), and the survival rates of both scion grafting and bud grafting are relatively high.

Scion grafting: carried out in March when the buds have begun to swell. Cut grafting is commonly used, and one- or two-year-old seedlings are best for the rootstock.

Bud grafting: carried out in July-August, mostly using the "T"-shaped graft. One-year-old full and solid seedlings are best for the rootstock.

Sowing

The flowering period of peach is March-April, and the fruit ripening period is June-August. Harvest ripe fruit, pile them up and mash them, remove the flesh, dry them and collect pure seedling seeds for autumn sowing. Before sowing, soak the seeds for 5-7 days. Autumn-sown seeds sprout earlier the next year, have a high emergence rate, and grow rapidly and vigorously. For sowing the next spring, the seedling seeds need to be stored in wet sand for more than 120 days. Use drilling; the drill width is 10 cm, the depth is 1-2 cm, and after sowing cover with 6 cm of soil. Sow 25-30 kg per 667 sq m. When the seedlings are 3 cm tall, thin and finalize them, with a plant spacing of 20-25 cm.