Position
Plant your Snowcrest Peach Tree in a location that receives full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Size
Snowcrest Peach trees are known for their manageable size, (3.7 – 4.6 m) making them suitable for home orchards and smaller garden spaces while producing a satisfying amount of delicious fruit. Proper pruning and care can help maintain the tree’s size and shape, ensuring healthy growth and optimal fruit production.
Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil; avoid waterlogging. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the nursery bag and about the same depth as the root ball. Loosen the surrounding soil to encourage new root growth. Carefully remove the tree from its container without damaging the roots. If the roots are circling around the root ball, gently tease them apart to encourage outward growth.
Place the tree in the centre of the hole so that the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Do not bury the trunk or graft union. Refill the hole with the original soil, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Avoid adding excessive fertiliser directly into the planting hole.
Refill the hole with the original soil, with a bag of compost, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
Adding half a bag of our Volcanic Rock Dust (R25 per bag) and a bag of Superfrass (R25 per bag) will assist in rapid growth. They also protect the roots from being eaten by insects.
Watering
Too much water can cause root rot, but do not allow the roots to dry out completely.
Mulching
Use from 2 to 5 centimetres of pine bark mulch to protect the roots from UV damage and drying out. It retains moisture, and maintains an optimal pH. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause infection or rot.
Fertilising
Apply our slow-release all-plant fertiliser. Apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months. The roots will absorb what they need.
Alternatively, apply a balanced fertiliser (such as 10-10-10) in early spring before new growth begins. Thereafter fertilise annually in early spring.
Pruning
Prune your Snowcrest Peach Tree in late winter or early spring before buds break. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and shape the tree to promote good airflow and light penetration.
Cut out dead or diseased branches completely whenever they appear and dispose of them immediately.
Pest and Disease Management
Monitor for common peach pests such as aphids, peach twig borer, and peach tree borer. Use integrated pest management techniques and consider spraying in early spring to control overwintering pests.
Agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control ) will assist in either prevention or after the fact. If you already have aphids or mites, wash the vine down with a harsh hosing, and when dry, spray with Neem oil or EM Control. Peach trees need regular spraying before the onset of fruit and immediately after buds turn to small fruit. Continue organic spraying regularly for good-quality peaches.
Thinning Fruit
Thin fruit in early summer when they are about the size of a dime to promote larger, healthier fruit and prevent branch breakage due to excessive weight.
Harvesting
Harvest Snowcrest Peaches when they are fully ripe on the tree. To harvest, gently twist or lift the peach from the tree. When ripe, it should come off easily.
