Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyRider
I planted a peach tree last year and this year it's already full of little peaches (not sure what to call them.) Anyway, I know fruit trees eventually succumb to disease and insects if left untreated. What do I need to do to keep the peaches healthy?
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The best way to keep it healthy is not to stress the tree. Provide it with adequate water if rain doesn't do that. Give it some fertilizer early in the spring when its buds start to swell.
Thin the fruit on the tree when the fruit is about the size of your thumb nail. Leave a peach on for about every 8 - 10 inches of branch.
If it's overloaded with fruit, the fruit will remain small and be nothing more than a stressful burden on the tree and make the tree prone to breaking branches as well.
Don't put insecticides on the tree just because you can. A few insects on it won't hurt anything and insecticides kill beneficial insects as well.