Peaches not as juicy as last year or earlier crop?

13 years ago

My early july elberta and another peach tree that was mis labeled produced sweet juicy peaches 30 days ago, but my July Elberta's and (white fleshed) redhaven are not reaching full size (maybe 80%) and are more "mushy" than "juicy"?

It has been a hot July/August with temps in the 90's, more pest pressure, spray with Bonide fruit tree concentrate every 3 weeks, 1" water at trees each week if no rain, there has been plenty of sunshine, fertilized trees in spring with 10-10-10, trees look healthy and are growing, maybe the peach skin isn't as pretty this year. Fruited thinned to one every 5 ". The flesh of the peaches easily falls away from the pit or isn't really attached to the pit when cut open (last year the flesh was bonded better to the flesh). I noticed a couple peaches on the tree starting getting the brown rot before ripening.The county extension agent wasn't sure. A couple peaches appeared to have a little brownish flesh at the pit and possible signs of a bug which had eaten its way into the peach, but most peaches looked OK and didn't show signs of internal pests but just weren't very juicy or flavorful.

What do you think caused this and what do you think is the solution?

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Comments (5)

Scott F Smith
13 years ago
I've never noticed peaches any worse from heat, but maybe I was just missing it. Well, my early peaches were not as good as usual and we were having a big heat wave in early July. Lately the peaches have been excellent here in spite of lots of 90's. The biggest detriment I have noticed is too much water, then you get watery flavor. Next problem is trees with no vigor, then you can (or may not) get low-sugar low-flavor fruits.

Scott
alan haigh
13 years ago
White fleshed Redhaven? Never heard of that one.

Welcome to the often unpredictable world of fruit growing. There is a sweet point between overly vigorous growth and runted trees where you get your sweetest fruit. I haven't mastered the issue myself but it may be playing a part in your mystery. Excess water or N or just really rich soil will affect different varieties in different ways.

You probably already know that in a vigorous tree where the fruit hangs in the canopy is crucial, with better light exposed fruit getting size and sugar.

How does the quality of peaches compare to last year? Obviously different varieties will have different quality.

There is also a point where high temps can cook the fruit, but that's generally above 100 F. I think. I've long noticed that CA peaches tend to taste like sawdust once high summer temps come. The best west coast orchard land has been turned into homes and office space or vineyards and stone fruit production keeps getting pushed eastward where it's just too hot.
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garedneck
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your thoughts.

Yes, it is a white flesh Redhaven per the tree tag and the salesperson at Pike Nursery who double checked. Last year the fruit on the redhaven was very fragrant , sweet, firm, juicy , but not great flavor. In August last year they went from green to red skin in one week when ripening. The elberta peaches last year excellent in all regards.

The trees appear just as healthy this year as last, have received the same water/fertilizer/mulch, but possibly I haven't done as good a job spraying and tried some different sprays this year, but the biggest difference seem to be more bugs and hotter average days ..

Perhaps this is the "fun" of gardening trying to produce good crops! I learn a lot reading others posts, so thank you to everyone who participates.
lifespeed
13 years ago
I have a Burbank July Elberta in N. California. I seemed to notice a slight decrease in fruit quality and taste from last year. I did water some during fruit ripening. I think that is not a particularly good idea. Supposedly a little water stress is good for fruit quality.

The biggest difference between last year and this one is the lack of high temperatures this year. During July it was typically 70's to 80's, instead of 80's to 90's.

Also, peaches like summer pruning to open the vase shape to allow sunlight to directly ripen the peaches.

Could just be a sub-optimal year. I got a bit of brown rot around the pit too. Don't be afraid to pick the peaches 'early', they taste great even if they are still firm!
rasputinj
13 years ago
This year has been a mixed bag for my peaches and nectarines, I think the lighter summer in meant I overwatered for a few weeks when I was on vacation. I think the fog we got in June and july did not help the ripening either. My saturns, Bonita, Panamint, goldmine, desert delight were all good. While mid pride, giant Babcock were washed out. I am still waiting on August pride but I think it will be fine. It is best to keep track of what you with watering, fertilizer, spraying for every tree to keep track of each trees performance and to help make adjustments for next year

Peaches not as juicy as last year or earlier crop?

Comments (5)

Scott F Smith

alan haigh

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Peaches not as juicy as last year or earlier crop?

Comments (5)

Scott F Smith

alan haigh

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garedneckOriginal Author

lifespeed

rasputinj

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garedneck
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