Peach Trees in Containers

Peach trees prefer a Mediterranean climate which is warm and on the dry side. They also come into flower earlier than many fruit trees which makes the flowers very prone to frosts in many areas. For these reasons, peach trees will grow very well in containers. The container grown peach is portable and can be moved inside if a frost threatens. They can also be moved to the sunniest postion.

For a container grown peach tree you definitely need one of the dwarf varieties, Bonanza is an excellent choice. If you want to buy online, we can personally recommend Blackmoor Nurseries, click here for their page on this variety of peach tree.

You will need a large container, 45cm / 18in is a good size, although 30cm / 12in (no less) will do the job. The base of the container must have drainage holes because peaches will not grow in waterlogged or heavy soils.

Line the bottom 3cm / 1in of the pot with horticultural grit or small stones and pebbles. This will ensure excess water drains away. Then fill the pot about half way up with a John Innes type loam-based compost. Normal potting compost is not substantial enough, you need a compost with loam in it. These are readily available at garden centres and nurseries.

Now take the peach tree from its existing pot and place it in the container. Adjust the depth of the compost in the container so that when you place the new peach tree in you container, the top of the soil is about 2cm / 1in from the top of the container. This will allow you to water it without overflowing and also apply a small layer of mulch later on.

Fill round the edges of the peach tree and the container and firm down the loam based compost, not too much pressure though. Water the pot well and place in a sunny position.

Care of Container Grown Peach Trees
Any container grown tree will need to be fed and watered frequently, especially in warm dry conditions, and peach trees are no exception. Originating in China and liking hot conditions with occasional drenching rainfalls, you should try and mimic these conditions.

As far as watering is concerned, allow the soil to dry out then water thoroughly. The best way to do this is to have a tray on which the container sits. When the soil is dry and you water it, leave some water in the tray to ensure the soil becomes saturated. Then leave it as far as watering is concerned until it becomes dry again.

The rules for feeding your container grown peach tree are to feed it often, it will grow quickly in a container. Normal liquid feed is ideal and the tree should be fed once every ten days or so. A mulch over the surface of the soil in March is a good idea.

Encouraging Peach Fruit to Form
Peach trees produce fruit earlier than most fruit trees and this means they also produce flowers early in the year, early March to April. These flowers are easily damaged by frost and if they are, this will affect fruit production. So, if a frost threatens when it is producing flowers, move it to a warmer area, inside a greenhouse or even better indoors. Ideally, move the tree into a conservatory or greenhouse from late December until early April.

The above is fine for the flowers, but moving the tree under cover will prevent insects from pollinating the flowers. Even without putting the tree under cover there are few insects in early spring to pollinate the flowers. So, a bit of hand pollination will go a long way to encouraging the production of fruit.

Misting the tree with water will encourage pollination. The best way though is to use a soft brush. Lightly brush each flower in succession transferring the pollen from one flower to the other, that's what the bees would do if they were around in early spring!

Pruning and Thinning Fruit
Some of the dwarf peach trees, such as Bonanza which we recommend above, require almost no pruning. These trees are slow growing and very compact. If your peach tree is getting a bit too large, simply prune to shape.

When the tree starts to produce small fruits, pinch off every other one. A couple of weeks later pinch off more fruit. A dwarf fruit tree will produce smaller fruits the more fruits you leave on your tree. We suggest that when the peach tree is three years old, leave 15 to 20 well-spaced fruits on the tree to ripen. From four years old onwards leave 20 to 25 fruits on the tree.

When Are The Fruit Ripe?
A difficult question, but the best idea is to try one! Ripe peaches will "give" a little when you press your thumb gently into the fruit near the stalk. For the best taste, eat the peaches as soon as you pick them. If kept in cool conditions they should remain fresh for a couple of days after picking. Peaches do not ripen very much after they are picked, they just go bad! They are best left on the tree until you want to eat them.

Pest and Disease
See the section on pest and diseases here. Generally, container grown peach trees are relatively free from pest and disease, more so than a peach tree grown in the ground. keep your eye of for bugs and remove them by hand as soon as you see them.

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