The donut peach trees are hybrid kind which are also known as the flat peach tree. It is juicier and the outer skin is very thin. The pit of the flat or donut peach is a bit bigger than usual. It is almost similar to the size of pistachio nuts. Even though it is a peach tree, its growing process is a bit different from regular basis ones. The seed preparation is different and so is the planting process. And we are going to walk you through it. So, let’s get into how to grow a donut peach tree from seed.
Tools to Be Used:
The tools you will need for the process are plastic bags, a pin/needle, planting pots (medium to large size), gardening trowel, garden fork, watering can, fence, or plant cage. Some personal protective gear is needed for your physical safety, such as protective gloves, goggles and boots. Also, for the growth of the donut peach tree, some fertilizers are essential as it is a hybrid fruit tree. High phosphorus fertilizers are recommended. Compost tea also goes well for the procedure. So, these are the accessories you might be needing throughout the actual process.
How To Grow A Donut Peach Tree From Seed- the process
The donut peach seeds are very hard to germinate. If you can easily crack open a seed in-between your fingers, that seed/kernel is less likely to germinate. That is why you need to collect seeds from several donut peaches and it would be best if you get the pits from locally harvested donut peach. This way, their chance of coping up with the environment is positively high. So, without further ado, let’s get down to the main process.
Step 01: Prepare the Seeds.
You should always collect seeds from ripe peaches. But make sure the peaches aren’t overripe. Freshly ripe peaches are the perfect pick. Now, it is time to separate the seed from peaches and crack them open with a nutcracker or hammer to separate the kernel. The donut peach is very Sensitive and so is the seed itself. With the shell on, the seed will Be resistant to react and sprout in the soil. So it is a must to remove the outer shell.
Step 02: Start the Germination.
The germination of donut peach happens better in the winter season-oriented countries. The cold stratification works better. If you live in those regions, you just need to plant the prepared seeds in your desired place at the winter peak. It would be best if you used fences and plant cage protection all around it so that squirrels, chipmunks and even dogs can not dig it up, as the essence of the donut peach is very alluring for these hungry animals. Cover it up with straws and similar mulch and you are good to go. The donut seed does not require too much watering. You can water it only when the surface of the soil is parched. Now it just needs to cold stratify throughout the winter till spring and by spring, you may even find the seed to be sprouted into a very small plant.
If your winter does not last long or gets cold enough, there is always the refrigeration technique to help the germination. It is almost similar to a regular peach pit germination. You need to put some moist but not wet potting soil in a plastic air-tight bag and pot the kernel in the middle. Make some holes on the bag with a pin to help the air pass through now, carefully place it in the refrigerator for two to three months till it is spring.
Step 03: Transfer to Pot.
After the germination by now, your seeds are supposed to grow roots out of them. So take those seedlings to the pot. For this, always use a bigger plant pot, a medium or large size. To prepare the pit, you need to fill it in with moist soil (again, not wet, just moist) and place the seedling in the middle, not too deep in the pot and not near the surface. So place it about four to five-inch deep in the soil. It will give the roots enough space to grow further. At this point, you will need to add the compost tea and the high phosphorus fertilizer, but not too much of it, Just a fair amount. Make sure the pot gets plenty of sunlight and water only when the surface is dry. So, your work here is done for the year.
Step 04: Plant the Small Tree in The Garden
If you have followed the steps ahead, then in a year, you will be looking at a healthy, beautiful small donut peach tree in the pot. And it is ready to be transferred to your desired ground. At this stage, you will need all the gardening tools and safety tools mentioned earlier. So put on your safety gear, mate, because you have got a lot to do now.
You can prepare the soil with the garden fork. Now use the gardening trowel to dig deep where the small tree will go. Carefully put the tree roots five to six-inch deep in the soil and cover it up with Soil and appropriate fertilizer. Then you can use straw and mulch to protect the area. The watering rule stays the same. Water the soil around the tree when it seems dry only. You are done here. Your little tree will grow up into the very fruit-carrying donut peach tree you desire in just four years with proper care and maintenance, which is a concise time in gardening years.
Step 05: Protective Measures:
Adding fences is a must to protect the tree from hungry animals. Make sure the fence goes deep enough but not so deep, which can interrupt the root growth. When planting the small tree, add a support stick if needed. It will help the trunk to develop straight and strong.
Bottom line
So, now you know how to grow a donut peach tree from seed. If you are familiar with a regular peach tree growing process, you will be able to tell the difference. With the addition of high phosphorus fertilizer and extra time of cold stratification along with seed selection, every step of the process requires extra attention and care. But the results are indeed worth the hassle. But there are a few tips you need to follow. Firstly, try not to add too much fertilizer. It will do more harm than good. And secondly, the donut peach tree does not require much water to grow. The moist soil is enough. Excessive moisture can cause the root to rot. So, you need to be careful with the water can. If the water level seems high because of the weather, you plant high-water-absorbing grass around the tree. It looks beautiful and works like wonders.