A juicy peach, picked fresh and ripe from your own tree, is a real treat. However, peach trees in our latitudes are often plagued by the dreaded curling disease, which reduces the vitality of the tree and thus the harvest. The peach Harrow Beauty is one of the few varieties resistant to it.

What is frizz disease?

This leaf disease, which is not only typical for peaches, is caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. The sac fungus attacks the still young leaf and flower buds towards the end of winter (ergo in January and February). Now, when the leaves sprout in spring, they curl and develop green or red blisters. The tree will shed its leaves as the disease progresses, even whole branches can die off. In very wet winters in particular, an infestation with the causative fungus occurs.

What can you do about frizziness?

Once the tree is infested, there is not much you can do. Basically, only preventive measures such as

  • planting less susceptible peach varieties such as Harrow Beauty
  • spraying with copper-containing fungicides before the leaves emerge
  • Choosing the right location: ideally protected from the rain under one roof

Aromatic and disease resistant: Peach Harrow Beauty

If you don't want to give the leaf curl a chance, a resistant peach tree is the right choice. However, Harrow Beauty also impresses with its juicy and very aromatic pulp. The yellow-fleshed peach has a red tint on its sun-kissed side. The fruits can be harvested from around mid-August and are suitable for both fresh consumption and for preserving.

Do not leave Harrow Beauty on the tree for too long

In contrast to other peaches, you should harvest Harrow Beauty when the fruit is still firm - i.e. not quite ripe yet. The peach will continue to ripen and then develop a fruity-sweet taste. Peaches of this variety that have been left on the tree for too long lose their fruity flavor and often become mealy.

Choose the right location

Peaches need a lot of sun, which is why a full sun to at least partially shaded, west or south-facing location is ideal. If the leaves turn yellow to red in summer, this is often due to a lack of light. On the other hand, if the leaves are very light in color instead of bright green, a nutrient deficiency is usually to blame. In this case, you should fertilize your peach tree heavily, especially with an iron-rich fertilizer.

tips and tricks

Peaches grow tall and average two to three meters tall. If you want to make a trellis, a less vigorous and easier to train type of fruit is advisable - for example an apple or plum.

Category:

Trees