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Growing a peach tree from cuttings is a simple and cost-effective way to propagate new trees. Start by selecting healthy branches from an existing peach tree during the dormant season. Cut the branches into 6-8 inch lengths and remove any leaves or flowers. Dip the cut ends into rooting hormone to encourage root growth. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix and keep them in a warm and humid environment. Water the cuttings regularly and provide them with indirect sunlight. After a few weeks, the cuttings should start developing roots. Once the roots are established, transplant the new peach tree into a larger pot or in the ground. With proper care, your peach tree will grow and bear fruit in a few years.
Peach trees (Prunus persica) are known for their beautiful leaves, flowers, and fruit. While most peach trees are typically grown through grafting or budding to enhance resistance to disease, they can also be successfully propagated from cuttings. Although cutting-grown peach trees may not be as resilient as grafted trees, they can still produce fruit and flowers with the same characteristics as the parent tree.
The Ideal Climate
Peach trees require a specific number of chilling hours each year in order to bear fruit. They thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5b through 8b, with the best results in zones 6 through 7 where temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for an adequate amount of time.
When taking peach cuttings, it is important to select cuttings from a tree that performs well in your specific area.
Types of Peach Tree Cuttings
Peaches root most successfully from hardwood cuttings taken during winter, although some cultivars can also root from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer.
For example, the ‘Redhaven’ peach (Prunus persica ‘Redhaven’, USDA zones 5 through 8) is a popular freestone variety known for its fragrant yellow flesh and reddish skin. It is best propagated from leafy, semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer.
Collecting Peach Cuttings
The best choice for rooting peach trees is a straight stem cutting that is 4 to 6 inches long and has plenty of leaf nodes along its length. Hardwood cuttings should be completely leafless with brown, hardened bark and plump nodes. Softwood cuttings typically have a flexible, green stem, while semi-hardwood cuttings have green, leafy tips with slightly hardened bark at the base.
Make a 45-degree angled cut and remove the two lowest sets of leaves for softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. Rooting hormone is beneficial for promoting root growth in peach cuttings, but the strength of the hormone varies depending on the season.
- Hardwood cuttings require a five-second dip in 0.4 percent (or 4,000 parts per million) rooting hormone liquid, or a dusting of 0.8 percent (or 8,000 parts per million) rooting powder.
- Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings benefit from a dusting of 0.25 percent (or 2,500 parts per million) rooting hormone powder.
Measure out 1 or 2 tablespoons of rooting hormone powder, also known as talc, and apply it to the cut end and leaf nodes using a soft paintbrush. Discard any excess powder. For liquid hormone, pour it into a disposable container and discard any unused portion after saturating the cut end of the cutting. When working with rooting hormone, wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, and protective eyewear, and avoid inhalation.
Rooting Peach Cuttings
Whether using hardwood or softwood/semi-hardwood cuttings, the rooting process is similar.
Step 1
Fill a container with sterile, moist medium such as a mixture of equal parts peat and coarse sand or perlite. Use a 1-gallon container with multiple drainage holes at the bottom.
Step 2
Insert the hormone-treated end of the cuttings into the medium, burying the bottom one-third. Ensure the cutting is upright and firmly press the medium against the stem.
Step 3
Place hardwood cuttings outdoors against a south-facing wall where temperatures remain above 59 degrees Fahrenheit, or place them in a cold frame in regions with cold winters.
To propagate peach trees from cuttings, it is recommended to use softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. These cuttings should be placed in a sheltered area with light shade. To create a suitable environment for rooting, cover the pot with a clear plastic bag that is large enough to cover the cuttings without touching them directly. Make a small slice in the bag to allow moisture to escape and prevent excessive condensation. It is important to protect the cuttings from direct sunlight.
During the rooting process, it is important to keep the medium moist, but not overly wet. Mist the softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings with water from a spray bottle every day. Before placing the plastic bag back in its place, remove any excess moisture that may have accumulated inside.
After four weeks, check for root development by gently pulling on the base of the cutting and feeling for resistance. Hardwood cuttings may take up to six weeks to root.
Once the cuttings have developed a healthy root system, they can be transplanted into the garden. Transfer the cuttings into individual 1-gallon nursery pots with drainage holes, using standard potting soil. It is recommended to grow them in a bright and sheltered area for at least one full season. In the following spring, they can be transplanted into a sunny bed with well-draining soil.
When planting peach trees, it is important to consider their spacing. Larger peach trees should be spaced 15 to 20 feet apart, while more compact or dwarf cultivars can be spaced 10 to 12 feet apart.
