Fig peach - a garden tree for a warm climate

Fig peach is a type of fruit tree, as well as nectarine and pubescent. A feature of the variety is flat, like a lush cake, fruits resembling a turnip. This variety of peaches originates from China, and they are called in everyday life: saucer or Fergana peach, but more often, Chinese turnip. Fig peach is distinguished by greater winter hardiness of buds and buds, ripens at the end of August, requires a long, warm summer. Therefore, in the Moscow region, the fruits do not have time to gain taste, to ripen. The fruits are heavy, 90-140 g.

Origin

This exotic fruit was brought to Europe from China in the 16th century. This was done by missionaries who began to cultivate this plant in Europe. Already at the end of the 16th century, the fig peach appeared in Russia.

The homeland shown in the photo is China and the eastern regions of the Asian republics. That is why, in everyday life, such a fruit is often called a Chinese turnip.

Interesting Facts

What You May Not Know About Fig Peaches:

• They are useful for flatulence and constipation.
• Helps maintain healthy teeth, heals the skeletal system, and prevents the formation of kidney stones.
• They saturate quickly, which is why they are recommended for snacks.
• Despite the sweetness, they contain few calories, therefore they are useful for losing weight.
• Unlike most fruits, they do not lose their beneficial properties after heat treatment.
• They have a calming effect. Hungarians, for example, call them "the fruits of tranquility."
• It was the peach that became the first fruit eaten by American astronauts on the moon.

General description of the variety

The fruit is easy to recognize due to its unusual shape. Unlike other peach varieties, it does not have the shape of a ball, but, on the contrary, is flattened on top. This peach with figs has no botanical relationship, but it has many fascinating and memorable names - Fergana, saucer, Chinese turnip.

In some European countries, it is called "donut" - because of the round indentation that remains in the middle of the fruit after removing the stone.

Brief botanical description:

• Wood. Reaches a height of 5 m. The crown is spreading.
• Leaves. Lanceolate. The upper surface is dark green, the lower is grayish.
• Flowers. The petals are pale pink. They look like a rose hip.
• Fruit. Flat shape. The skin is not as fluffy as that of ordinary ones. The bone is small. The color depends on the variety, there are yellowish and orange fruits. All have a reddish blush. Weight - 100-200 g. Diameter - up to 7 cm.

Fig peaches have important advantages over regular peaches:

• In ordinary pulp, the closer to the bone, the less saturated its taste. The fig variety does not have this - the taste is the same in every part of the fruit.
• Possesses high frost resistance.
• The bone is smaller - only 3-4 g.

How to grow a fig peach

Gardeners of the southern regions are happy to grow Chinese peaches. The agrotechnology of a plant is no more difficult than for a nectarine or an ordinary garden tree. But the winter hardiness of fruit and leaf buds is higher, the plant is tolerant to the main diseases. Disc peach blooms later, leaves from cold snaps. He needs a lot of heat, in the southern part of the country before Voronezh some peaches have time to ripen. The cost of Chinese peach fruits is 3 times higher than others, the yield is excellent.

The disadvantages of disc fruits are considered low keeping quality, poor transportability and a tendency to the rapid development of gray rot, which can leave without a crop.

Flat peach is planted with seedlings from a fruit nursery, or grown from seeds. When choosing a fig peach seedling, you must:

Chemical composition

The tasty pulp of this fruit is also loaded with many substances necessary for human health. Among them are almost all members of the B vitamins, as well as vitamins C, H, K, E, beta-carotene and the rather large substance amygdalin, also called vitamin B17. Presumably, this vitamin can fight cancer problems.

There are many essential oils, various organic acids and pectins in fig peach. But this fruit is especially rich in such valuable minerals as:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• chlorine;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• copper;
• fluorine;
• sodium;
• phosphorus;
• sulfur;
• manganese;
• chromium;
• zinc.

Benefit and harm

Due to the rich chemical composition of the fig peach, it brings tremendous benefits to the human body.

Fig peach has a huge number of essential properties:

• fruits are a good prevention of various types of oncology;
• improve the functioning of the digestive tract, preventing constipation and heartburn;
• they help speed up the metabolism, thereby helping to lose extra pounds;
• strengthen human immunity;
• also have a beneficial effect on the work of the heart muscle;
• often used as antidepressants, even for young children;
• alleviate toxicosis in pregnant women;
• improves the functioning of the liver and bile ducts;
• bones are also used in cosmetology to produce various oils designed to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin.

Useful properties for the body of women

For women, it can replace expensive diet pills and creams. In addition to the general firming effect that the fig peach has on the body, it is a source of essential macronutrients for the beauty of skin and hair.

You can create cosmetic masks from fruits, or simply eat them in regular or frozen form, or add to oatmeal.

The substances contained in peaches improve the skin, prevent wrinkles, normalize weight and have a beneficial effect on hair and nails.

Are they good for men's health?

Helps men increase concentration, improve memory and improve overall body tone. Their constant presence in the diet strengthens the immune system. The essential substances contained in fruits affect sexual function.

Selenium, vitamin C and vitamin B5 stimulate active sperm production, improving sperm quality, which may be needed by those planning a baby.

With constant moderate consumption, it reduces the risk of developing prostate adenoma.

In the diet of children

Children under 2 years old really need peaches. They strengthen the immune system, normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and generally give energy. The only downside is that their flesh contains a lot of sugar, which may not affect tooth enamel very well. The daily rate for children under 4 years old is no more than 2 pieces per day, and for children under 12 years old - 2-3 pieces per day.

This amount is enough to give up multivitamin complexes.

At the same time, the risk of colds is reduced, which is very valuable for children who often bring colds from school or kindergarten.

What it is

The fig peach was obtained through breeding. Outwardly, its fruits look like a large donut.

The round shape, like that of ordinary peaches, is also changed - the fruit looks more ovalrather than round, slightly flattened.

They taste different from ordinary ones - the fruit has a pronounced honey flavor, they contain more sugar.

Not intended for long-term storage, as they begin to deteriorate two hours after removal from the branch.

You can buy them in large supermarkets, markets and grocery stores with a good range. They usually appear on the shelves at the end of June, and remain until the end of August.

Contraindications

Contraindications for use often boil down to limiting its use by people with allergies. Along with apples and kiwi, this fruit is among the most allergenic fruits. People who are allergic to eating peaches can develop an oral allergy, which causes the throat, lips, and mouth to swell and a rash on the skin.

It is not recommended to use this fruit also for people suffering from diabetes mellitus, as well as for those who have an individual intolerance to this product.

Diversity of culture

Let's consider some types that are widespread in the regions of Russia.

Peach Vladimir

The tree is low, fees are regular. Resistant to serious fruit diseases. The fruits are even, the weight of one berry is 180 g, the pulp is sweet-juicy, cream-colored.

Sweet Cap variety

The tree is short, fast-growing. The yield is instantaneous. Fruits weigh 140-150 grams, pleasant, sweet and sour taste.

Nikitsky flat

Rich taste, small bone, good harvest - what else could a gardener dream of! Round peach weight - 80-120 gr. The species does not like transportation, it is not stored for long.

Variety Saturn

The large Saturn species from South America were developed in 1820, and because of their excellent properties, gardeners from all over the world instantly fell in love with them.

Columnar peach

Modern species have several columnar, which are easy to cover for the winter. But in the suburbs, they lack warmth and light for a set of taste. The tender tree has already been grown in Voronezh.

UFO-3

Early maturing variety. Fruit weight - 100-120 g. The pulp is snow-white in color. In fact, the whole fruit is covered with a reddish blush, a soft yellow color can be seen somewhere. The pubescence is very weak. The species is resistant to winter, the fruit is resistant to cracking. Refers to industrial grades. On the palate - honey notes.

The gardener posted a video review with UFO-3 fig peaches:

Saturn

Peach "Saturn" - This species was created by breeders from South America. Mid-August is the time for fruit ripening. They are distinguished by good taste, frost resistance and, in addition, the implementation of this type is very profitable.

Appearance: unusual flat shape (flattened), reddish blush over the entire area of ​​the fruit. Weight: about 100 g. Reviews about Saturn are positive. The price of one seedling reaches 600 rubles.

Columnar fig peach

This species is characterized by small tree growth and early fruiting. The fruits of the Columnar variety are deep red in color, and their weight reaches 150 g. The crown of trees of this species is similar to a cylinder, therefore it is often used as an ornamental plant.

Vladimir

Fig peach "Vladimir". Already at the beginning of August, you can harvest the first fruits. These fig peaches are large because their weight reaches 180 g. The “Vladimir” variety can be distinguished from other species if you look at its appearance: it is hard not to notice the snow-white skin with a reddish blush, creamy pulp and flattened shape.

It is one of the most resistant to diseases and frost, so the range of distribution is large. Opinions about these fruits are positive. It is recommended to take. The price of one seedling reaches an average of 250 rubles.

Nikitsky

This species is considered the best for Russia. Suitable for harsh climates. Fruits of a red hue, creamy flesh. Weight - 120 g

Fig peach Belmondo

Late flowering. The fruits ripen in the second half of August. Fruit taste - dessert, ideal for lovers of sweets. The fruit is slightly pubescent. The fruit pulp is light yellow in color.

The tree of this species is small, but has a spreading crown.The fig peach, according to the Belmondo species, looks great and at the same time has a mild flavor.

Sweet Cap

A feature of this species is - early maturity. Fruits appear within 3-4 years. Fruiting in mid-August. Ripening is friendly. The taste is sweet and sour. The skin color is red, the flesh is warm and snow-white. Weight - 150 g.

Care

For the fig peach, the so-called gray rot is a great danger. Therefore, after planting seedlings, they must be processed, for the purpose of prevention.

Peach and apricot

To protect against pests, trees must be sprayed with special preparations. To destroy such pests as mycelium or wintering spores, with the onset of spring, trees are sprayed with a 1% solution of copper sulfate. The spraying process takes place in 4 stages:

• with the onset of spring, after all the snow has melted;
• when buds appear;
• before flowering begins;
• after the end of flowering.

In order for the branches of the tree to be strong and can easily withstand a bountiful harvest, it is necessary to prune the ovaries in the spring.

After harvesting, it is advisable to fertilize the soil in the form of a potassium-phosphorus mixture. This procedure will increase the level of winter hardiness of the crop.

Important! The cuts that remain after pruning should be covered with garden varnish in order to avoid the penetration of diseases directly into the tree.

Corrective crown pruning is performed in the spring. The most popular way to form it is the so-called "bowl", there is also an "improved bowl". In both methods, when pruning, 3-4 main branches are left, which grow equally from the lower part of the trunk. However, with the "improved bowl" there is a gap between the branches, measuring 15-20 cm. Such a skeleton of a peach tree provides maximum access to sunlight, ventilates the crown well and looks spectacular.

In the spring, it is necessary to get rid of diseased, dry or frozen branches after a cold winter.

Where is the fruit used?

How are fig peaches used:

1. They are eaten fresh. Peach lovers really appreciate its sweetness and rich taste.
2. In cooking. Can be added to salads, sauces, pastries, dough dishes. The taste of peaches is in harmony with the tastes of fish and meat. Improves the taste of oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream.
3. Dried. Prepare aromatic dried peach compotes in winter.
4. Freeze. Ripe, but not soft fruits are taken for freezing. Peel off the skin before freezing. If this is not done, the fruit will turn bitter after thawing. Frozen fruits are stored for no more than six months.
5. Canned... You can make preserves, jams, canned food in sweet syrup.
6. For cosmetic purposes. Face masks are made from the pulp, grated and mixed with cream.

Growing features

Compared to regular peach and nectarine, figs have better frost resistance, in addition, flower buds are protected from freezing during spring temperature drops.

Experienced gardeners have identified such a pattern that the fig peach feels great in places where grapes grow.

For a flat fruit to take root well and bear fruit intensively, it must be located where there is more sunlight. Under unfavorable conditions, the fruit cannot ripen. Therefore, you need to plant trees in non-shaded areas.

Fig peach is a sun-loving tree. Otherwise, the principle of caring for him is no different from other cultures. The tree needs timely feeding, constant watering and treatment from pests and diseases.

An interesting feature of this species is the flowering tree, which begins to bloom in mid-April, which is quite late compared to other peaches. The fruits ripen in late August, so the growing area should probably be one with warm summers.

How to germinate a bone

To grow a tree, you will need to follow certain rules:

1. Choose fruit that is juicy and ripe with no signs of tooth decay or mold.
2. Remove the pulp and rinse the bone under running water.
3. Soak for a week like cucumber seeds.
4. After seven days, if the plant does not germinate, crack the bone without destroying the kernel.

It is difficult to grow a peach from a seed, because you need to choose the right fruit in the garden, otherwise the probability of failure is very high.

Landing

Before planting a peach, you need to get healthy seedlings that can quickly take root in a new location. To do this, it is recommended to pay attention to the following features:

1. Of course, it is necessary to clarify the acclimatization of the seedling in the region of the future planting;
2. There should be no damage to the root system, nor should it be dry or rotten roots;
3. If you tear off a piece of bark, it should have a greenish color on the back;
4. It is best to buy annual trees.

The right choice of planting space guarantees a generous harvest of trees.

1. The site, of course, should be sunny and sheltered from the wind, it is best to choose the south side of the garden;
2. You should also make sure that there is no shadow on the tree from nearby plants.
3. The next criterion will be the absence of a high level of groundwater (at least 3 meters).

The peach is planted in March or late September - early October. For spring planting, the pit is prepared in the fall, and for autumn planting 2-3 weeks before the procedure.

Planting a fig peach is best in the fall.

To do this, dig a hole with a diameter and depth of 50-60 centimeters. Then the soil layer is mixed with the following fertilizers:

• 2 buckets of manure, humus or compost;
• 150-200 g superphosphate;
• 100 grams of potassium;
• 800 g of wood ash.

When planting trees in fertile soil (humus), it is enough for the production of mineral fertilizers.

When planting, the root collar of the seedlings is left 3-5 cm above the ground. When falling asleep, the seedlings are shaken several times to prevent the formation of air pockets.

After the end of the work, the young tree is watered with 2-3 buckets of water and mulched to a depth of 5-10 centimeters.

When planting in autumn or when there is a danger of spring frosts, the seedlings are wrapped in agrofibre.

Watering

Peach figs are very hygrophilous. It is impractical to save water for him. In summer, during the heat, the tree is watered with love for two weeks - 20-25 liters of water. The water can be heated in the sun - it is not recommended to pour cold water on it.

Top dressing

Experienced gardeners recommend using the following fertilizers:

1. Spring - 50 g of urea and 75 g of ammonium nitrate are placed under one tree;
2. Autumn - the tree needs 50 g of potash fertilizers and 40 g of phosphorus;
3. Periodic top dressing - once every 2-3 years, you need to make a more fertile soil, for this 10 kg of manure or humus is introduced into the near-trunk circle for digging.

Preparing for winter

Juicy fruits are resistant to frost, but in the northern regions, additional insulation will not hurt:

• Cover the trunk circle with wood chips, with a layer of 20-30 cm;
• wrap the trunk of the tree with canvas, secure with a rope

Pruning

In early spring, it is usually necessary to form the crown of the tree, to do this, remove all side branches, leaving only 3 skeletal branches, while the central trunk should be cut just above the upper branch of the skeleton.

For a fig peach, it is necessary to form a cupped crown.

Then, every year, in March and October, they carry out sanitary and anti-aging pruning, removing all unhealthy, deformed, dry and frozen branches. In addition, to avoid thickening of the crown, all branches are shortened so that their length does not exceed 50 centimeters. After each cut, the sore spot must be treated with garden varnish.

Features of flowering and fertility

The fig peach is considered fertile because it is famous for its good harvest.The fruit ripens until the end of August and mid-September. The fruits have an average size and weight of 100 grams.

This peach blooms intensively, its flowers have a characteristic pinkish tint. By the number of flowers, you can determine the quality of the future harvest.

Planting seedlings

Planting seedlings is difficult. First of all, you need to choose a good seedling that will bring a bountiful harvest. To do this, you need to purchase:

1. Ask the seller if the tree is suitable for planting in a particular area.
2. Carefully examine the root system of the seedling, look at the color of the wood under the bark (the wood should be green).
3. Where the seedling was cut - exactly, dry, without any damage.
4. It is desirable that the tree from which the seedling was cut should be annual.

Next, they begin to select a specific piece of land for planting a seedling. The plant loves warmth, which means that it needs to be planted in a place where it is sunny, there is no shade and wind. Groundwater should be present at a depth of no more than 3 meters. Do not plant trees in areas where melons and strawberries grew. It is best to plant fig peaches in early spring or early fall.

Step-by-step instructions "How to plant a fig peach?":

1. First, you need to fertilize the land with organic (such as peat, manure, silt) and mineral (phosphate rock, potassium nitrate) fertilizers. Humus is suitable when trees are planted in early fall.
2. Water the ground abundantly.
3. Then you need to dig a medium-sized hole, plant a seedling, bury the roots and a small part of the trunk.
4. Collect 2 buckets of water. Fill the soil with them, and later fertilize the soil with manure.
5. After 24 hours, the fig peach should be treated with special agents in order to avoid the raid of pests.