Bonfire patio peach

[aml1014]

Today I bought this little bonfire patio peach from my work just as a nice flowering tree, and decided why not do an airlayer? So I'll be doing an airlayer on the thickest branch once the blooms fade and hopefully have me a nice little start to a flowering bonsai on its own roots, if I'm successful I'll probably let it grow out for a few years to thicken but I'm excited about it. I'll post pics of the process when I do it.

Aaron

 

[Underdog]

Nice Blooms! I have a flowering peach in my front yard. Had to look at your location as my buds are barley swelling yet. Good luck! I took a big layer off mine last year but, killed it in the pot by not anchoring. Lesson learned.

 

[Guy Vitale]

I've had one ov these in my front landscape for 6-7 years, crazy how dense the flowers are. Never thought of air layering it, but wonder if the make good bonsai, they grow very slow. Perhaps I may try it.

 

[aml1014]

Nice Blooms! I have a flowering peach in my front yard. Had to look at your location as my buds are barley swelling yet. Good luck! I took a big layer off mine last year but, killed it in the pot by not anchoring. Lesson learned.

Super early spring here this year, but we are very notorious for a solid mid-April freeze. I'm glad to here you had good success with a large branch since I'll only be doing a pretty small one.

Aaron

 

[aml1014]

Repotted into a mica pot today, I'm quite excited to see the blooms. The airlayer failed due to my negligence but that's okay, the tree has a pretty decent graft and I really only love this tree for the flowers.
The graft finally exposed
Loaded with flower buds just like last year. @bonhe
It will be pruned back hard after flowering.

Aaron

 

[Guy Vitale]

Thanks for the reminder, I'm going to have to try to take an air layer from my landscape tree this year and try it as a bonsai.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I have one of these dwarf peaches. Mine has brilliant red blossoms. I also have a Nectarine with similar pink blossoms. Been prepping mine for air layer too, but I'm considering grafting roots. Something for me to think about.

 

[bonhe]

It will be pruned back hard after flowering.

Aaron

I agree 100%.
You will have very nice bonsai later on.
Bonhe

 

[rodeolthr]

Has anyone had experience with air-layering peaches? It's my understanding that they are difficult. I read something about using a tourniquet the first season to induce swelling on the stem, and then proceeding with the air-layer the following season.....does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[Tieball]

I have one of these dwarf peaches. Mine has brilliant red blossoms. I also have a Nectarine with similar pink blossoms. Been prepping mine for air layer too, but I'm considering grafting roots. Something for me to think about.

Would these trees offer roots from a branch cutting?

 

[Giga]

I had one of these years ago, while it is very pretty in bloom, they have bad taper and are hard to root. In the end they are much better in the garden then as bonsai. I know its temping but they are not the best material, hey maybe you'll do much better though as I do like the oddball species. Good luck with it though!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Would these trees offer roots from a branch cutting?

People say ume is hard to root, and it is. But I've been able to root a few each year. Problem is those that root would gradually die by late winter/early spring. Could be a fungus problem. Anyways being able to root some ume would make me optimistic rooting cuttings from peach or nectarine.

On a related note, this discussion made me do some online reading as to why people prefer grafted peach. Those reasons may not be so relevant in bonsai if the stock is meant to be container grown all it's life; the reasons may be more relevant to gardeners and commercial fruit growers. It seems peach roots can be a little particular about their soil and are prone to harmful nematodes. Further, I've read that peach can have a short life on its own roots. See here. I think the reasons listed in that link 1, 4, & 5 could justify grafting specific roots instead of airlayering. After all, bonsai is a long term thing; you'd want the tree to be in good health and more resistant to disease.

 

[aml1014]

People say ume is hard to root, and it is. But I've been able to root a few each year. Problem is those that root would gradually die by late winter/early spring. Could be a fungus problem. Anyways being able to root some ume would make me optimistic rooting cuttings from peach or nectarine.

On a related note, this discussion made me do some online reading as to why people prefer grafted peach. Those reasons may not be so relevant in bonsai if the stock is meant to be container grown all it's life; the reasons may be more relevant to gardeners and commercial fruit growers. It seems peach roots can be a little particular about their soil and are prone to harmful nematodes. Further, I've read that peach can have a short life on its own roots. See here. I think the reasons listed in that link 1, 4, & 5 could justify grafting specific roots instead of airlayering. After all, bonsai is a long term thing; you'd want the tree to be in good health and more resistant to disease.

Working at a nursery I'm a bit of a fruit crazy lol basically ALL trees are grafted for the specific traits of the variety. We all know if we eat a gala apple or Elbert peach then plant the seed/pit, neither of those varieties will come up, but a new variety (which isn't always good). Fruit trees in nature CAN also so take a long time to bare fruit, they must reach maturity before being able to even bloom, could be 5 years could be 15 years, very random. Also as you said, many fruit trees are peticular about the soil they are in, grafting them to hardier root stock allows for them to live where they otherwise wouldn't be able to, they also tend to graft a vigorous rootstock that will in turn help the big our of the tree. Grafted trees also fruit within 2-3 years on average. With the faster growth rate, specific variety on hand, and ability to withstand bad soil, Grafting seems the only option for the average person.

Aaron

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Here's my patio peach. Not sure which one it is. Anyways. Had to dig it up. If it lives then cool it lives. Had I planted it on a tile at least, the base would be much wider. It's been in ground 6 years and dug up maybe 4 times.

There's some reverse taper, but I didn't plan for it to be bonsai. Not sure you can see the graft union. I've hammered it as an experiment each year, but not every year. Seemed to work well.

 

[aml1014]

Here's my patio peach. Not sure which one it is. Anyways. Had to dig it up. If it lives then cool it lives. Had I planted it on a tile at least, the base would be much wider. It's been in ground 6 years and dug up maybe 4 times.
View attachment 134847

View attachment 134848

Awsome! Is it a grafted tree or did you propagate it? Once I OWN a house I'll plant this baby, I want a trunk like that!

Aaron

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Grafted. I edited more while you typed.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I think these patio peaches benefit a lot from good rootstock. Very vigorous growers. Must take care not to develop reverse taper. Happens easily.

Here's the portion I've wanted to airlayer, but just ended up digging up the whole tree. May try to airlayer later or find rootstock to graft roots. It might make a cute shohin or kifu with a few fruit one day if I'm successful. It's not been my focus though.

 

[aml1014]

First few blooms, can't wait till it's giving the full show!
Aaron

 

[aml1014]

Last year is stuck a couple of this things peaches into a pot that had a rose in it. Well I forgot and noticed these 2 baby's today nice purple leaves like momma.
That makes me happy to know they have similar characteristics even from seed.

Aaron

 

[aml1014]

Never did post a pic in full bloom
Aaron