Home Garden
# Home & Garden >> Landscaping & Outdoor Building >> Landscaping Trees

Pollination for Growing Peach Trees

Pollination is defined as the transfer of pollen from from the male parts of a flower to its female parts. With the exception of a few varieties, peach trees are self-pollinating. They do not need alternate sources, such as different cultivars, to produce fruit. In fact, it is possible to plant several acres of a single peach cultivar. However, for most successful fruiting, peach trees require pollinators, such as bees, to transfer pollen. In the absence of sufficient pollen transfer, peach trees may bloom profusely but will ultimately produce little to no fruit.

  1. Peach Tree Flowers

    • Peach flower buds develop on the current season's growth. One flower will emerge from each bud. The flower is cup-shaped, enveloping the ovary. Peach flowers are pollen-receptive for approximately four to seven days. Following successful pollination, the stigma wall breaks down and sperm cells are released. Fertilization officially occurs when the sperm reaches the egg cell. After fertilization, peaches will begin to develop on trees. Most fruit is ready for harvest from May through August.

    Pollinators

    • Pollen is almost exclusively transferred by wind, rain, insects and birds. Fruit trees are primarily pollinated by bees because their pollen tends to be relatively heavy and sticky. Wind may also help pollination, but the degree of assistance relative to bee pollination is not known. Where native bee populations are low and peach tree demands are high, honeybee hives may be rented. Hives placed within 100 feet of peach trees can noticeably increase pollination rates. Commercial orchards require about one hive per acre for best pollination.

    Pollination Challenges

    • Climate can have a significant impact on peach tree pollination. Bees will visit flowers throughout much of the day when the weather is clear and temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will avoid leaving their hives if it is cold or wet. In addition, many insecticides are toxic to bees, so if possible, avoid the use of insecticides while flowers are in bloom. Limit the presence of vegetation that blooms at the same time as peach trees. Other types of blooms may compete with peach trees for the bees' attention.

    Pollination Results

    • Poor pollination is one of the leading causes of low peach fruit yields. When pollination is insufficient, flowers will drop prematurely before fruit is set. Be aware, mature peach trees produce several thousand flowers every year. Most of these flowers, up to 80 percent, will not set fruit. Mature peach trees can set up to three bushels, which is approximately 800 fruit per year. The fruit of trees that yield significantly more than this amount tend to have inferior taste and color. Trees that produce significantly less than this amount may require future pollination assistance.

Previous:

Next:

Landscaping Trees
  1. Information for Growing Lychee
  2. Distance Between Paw Paw Trees for Pollination
  3. Classification of Peach Trees
  4. Is Vinegar Good for Magnolia Trees?
  5. Tree Spacing for Commercial Peach Trees
  6. Fact Sheet on Growing Peach Trees
  7. Small Trees for a Garden
  8. The Growing Environment for Mangos
  9. What Is Needed for Growing Oranges?
  10. Propagation of Peach Trees
  11. Growing Zones for Apricots
  12. Growing Requirements for Oranges

Home Garden © https://www.98905.com