Ahh I see. I did not know that one bud could be inserted into rootstock as opposed to an entire "cutting". Interesting. Harvestman. Yes the tree is semi dwarf from L E Cooke and is about 4' tall. I know of a small nursery that orders them bare root and then pots whatever they dont sell for the season. I bought this red baron about 3 weeks to a month ago. There are many small nurseries around here and in Korea Town and in somewhat hidden large lots behind houses and such. In Westminster where I live and grew up it used to be a patchwork of huge fields. Then one by one they disappeared. But now there are many "backyard" fields so to speak. From the front they look like houses or business but from behind they are open. They are all reputable places that have been here for many generations and some are bigger than others. But anyways, this place has ALOT of different fruit trees at different stages of growth. This red baron peach had been planted from bare root into a #5 pot about 1-2 months prior to me buying it. For some reason this nursery plants all their bare roots in dirt WAY ABOVE the bud union. So when I took it out of the pot I realized it was planted way to deep but as I went to put it in the ground I realized It had no room to put the "caliper" above ground at 2". It was not in the pot for long and the dirt was very loose... So the now the dirt from the hole in the ground is right at the bottom of the "caliper" or "bud union". I dont see a problem with it but I wanted your guys advice :-)

If the growth is from above the graft it will regrow into the original tree. If growth is from below the graft then all you have is the rootstock. Any fruit from that isn't worth growing. Can you see the graft location? It should show up as a difference in color of bark or a bend in the trunk.

I have a relative with a producing Redleaf rootstock. I gave them the tree and they killed the grafted variety with Round-up. The rootstock grew from the dead scion. The rootstock tree is very ornamental. However, the peaches are very small. From my information, Redleaf is edible, but has a very small fruit to pit ratio. In past years, the squirrels have stolen all their peaches, I don't expect this year to be different.

TLBean, congratulations on getting a good deal! It often is difficult to know the long-term behavior of a plant that is relatively new. If it is still doing this when it's been in your garden a couple of years, then it might be cause for concern, but at least initially you can't necessarily assume that the current behavior will continue. I also wouldn't fertilize it this year unless there is a tested need for it. Pulling any weeds or grass within the dripline and replacing with a mulch that goes near but not against the trunk are the two most valuable things you can do for a young tree. Also, I would not water once a week but instead water long and slow when needed, as shown when you stick a finger a couple of inches into the soil under the branches and find that it isn't damp. Depending on rainfall and the texture of your soil, weekly and for how long may be either too much or too little. The only way to determine what's appropriate is by checking the soil. I am envious that you can grow ornamental peaches. My zone is just too cold.