Detailed Guide to Bitao (Ornamental Peach) Planting Methods and Key Techniques

Bitao (ornamental peach), belonging to the Rosaceae family, is a deciduous small tree. It is a variety of peach that generally does not bear fruit after flowering. Its flowers are mostly double-petaled and extraordinarily brilliant in color, making it the finest among ornamental peach blossoms. Bitao originated in China and has a cultivation history of at least 3,000 years in the country. Its main production areas are in Zhejiang, the Changmei Flower Base in Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, Anhui and other places. During the Han Dynasty it was introduced to Persia and India, then to Europe, and finally to Japan. The bitao tree has gray bark and a thick, sturdy trunk, and can reach a height of 3-4 m. It blooms every year from March to April. Its flowers are divided into double-petaled and single-petaled types, and most do not bear fruit. With its rich and varied flower colors, it is a famous ornamental flower.

Planting methods:

1. Soil: Bitao prefers sandy loam with good drainage and rich in organic matter. It cannot grow in alkaline soil, nor does it like overly heavy clay soil.

2. Cultivation: (1) Bitao grown in pots is usually propagated by grafting. First use seedling rootstocks of peach, plum or apricot, and carry out bud grafting in August.

(2) For the successfully grafted bitao seedlings, around March of the following year, cut off the portion from 1.5 cm to 2 cm above the grafted bud to encourage the bud to grow.

(3) Then the bud can be planted into a pot, placed into the soil, and the soil gently pressed firm.

(4) After potting, water thoroughly, and from then on simply provide careful care.

3. Temperature: Bitao can tolerate relatively high temperatures and is fairly tolerant of cold, but the indoor temperature must be kept above 5°C.
4. Watering: (1) Bitao dislikes waterlogging. If subjected to waterlogging for 3-5 days, its leaves will drop, and the plant may even die.

(2) The amount of water should be moderate; follow the watering principle of "do not water when not dry."

(3) During the flowering and fruit-setting period, bitao should be watered somewhat more. During the flower bud differentiation period in July-August, water should be appropriately withheld to promote flower bud differentiation.

(4) During the winter dormant period, the frequency of watering should be reduced.

5. Fertilizing: Bitao has no strict requirements for fertilizer and does not need much of it. When planting, apply a small amount of base fertilizer in the hole. During the growing season, whether fertilizer is needed can be decided according to the plant's growth condition. Usually, applying fertilizer 1-2 times before and after flowering each year is sufficient.
6. Propagation: Bitao can be propagated by sowing, grafting and layering.

7. Light: Bitao likes an environment with sufficient light, so it should be exposed to plenty of sunlight, but it must not be placed in a windy spot.