About Blushingstar Peach Trees
Blushingstar peaches are one of the classic examples of white-fleshed stone fruit. The trees are fairly unfussy provided the soil drains well and resistant to one of the most common fruit tree diseases – bacterial spot. Best of all, they can produce in just 2 to 3 years. Some tips on how to grow Blushingstar trees will send you on your way to enjoying this outstanding fruit. Trees are grafted onto rootstock and are sold either bare root or balled and burlapped. Usually, they are just 1 to 3 feet (.3 to .91 m.) tall when you get young plants, but they can grow to 15 feet (4.5 m.) in height. The trees are extremely productive and may need some management to prevent overloading. Masses of pink blooms appear in spring followed by a densely packed tree full of peaches. The fruit is lovely, creamy green in the background and then blushed almost entirely over with pinkish red. Blushingstar peach fruit is good sized, about 2.5 inches (6 cm.) across with firm flesh that’s slightly acidic.
How to Grow Blushingstar
USDA zones 4 to 8 are excellent for Blushingstar peach growing. The tree is very tolerant of cold weather and can even withstand light frosts up until fruiting. Select a location in full sun, preferably in well-draining loam, although the trees can tolerate any type of soil. The ideal soil pH is 6.0-7.0. Loosen soil well and dig a hole that is twice as deep and wide as the spread of the little tree’s roots. Make a hill of soil at the bottom of the hole if you are planting a bare root tree. Spread the roots over that and backfill well. Water the tree and keep it moderately moist. A stake may be necessary to keep the central trunk straight. Prune young trees after a year to help them form a sturdy scaffold and open the canopy. Training is a big part of Blushingstar peach growing. Prune the peach trees annually in the early spring to an open center. When the tree is 3 or 4, begin to remove stems that have already bore fruit. This will encourage new fruiting wood. Always prune to a bud and angle the cut away so moisture doesn’t collect. Once trees begin to bear, fertilize them annually in spring with a nitrogen-based food. There are many pests and diseases of peaches. It is best to start an early spring spray program to combat fungi and keep a close watch for pests and other problems.
