Description and characteristics of the Redhaven peach, history of variety selection and growing rules

The Redhaven peach variety is suitable for growing in the middle zone, is unpretentious in care and is a record holder in yield. Its fruits are no different in taste from their southern counterparts. Even novice gardeners who want to get a harvest of tasty and aromatic fruits in their own garden cultivate peach.

Crop selection

The Redhaven peach variety with medium-early ripening dates was developed in 1940 in the state of Michigan, located in the USA. It is in this region that 70% of the garden area is devoted to growing peaches. The new selection served as a standard for breeding modern subspecies. Due to the unusual appearance of the fruit, this variety received the popular name Krasnaya Gorka. After some time, a hybrid of this peach with early ripening was obtained. In 1992, it was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation, according to which the plant was recommended to be cultivated in the North Caucasus region.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Red Haven peach variety has significant advantages over other species, thanks to which gardeners prefer it. Positive qualities include:

• high yield rates;
• drought resistance;
• increased frost resistance;
• excellent taste of the harvested crop;
• compact dimensions of the tree;
• plant lifespan;
• suitability of fruits for transportation over long distances.

Against the background of the listed advantages, there are also minor disadvantages:

• low resistance to curl, powdery mildew and clasterosporiosis;
• Without rationing the number of ovaries, branches may break under the weight of ripening fruits.

Characteristics of the variety

Distinctive characteristics make it easy to distinguish Redhaven from other similar varieties.

External parameters

The plant description says that the height of the Redhaven peach tree depends on the rootstock. An ordinary seedling grows up to 5 meters in height, and on an almond rootstock - up to 3 meters. The crown is spherical, the leaves are large, rich green. The flowers are medium-sized, reach a diameter of 22 mm, and consist of 5 petals of bright pink color.

The fruits of the Redhaven peach are flattened, elongated and round in shape, reaching a weight of 150-200 g. At the stage of technical ripeness, they acquire a yellow color with a bright red blush, which accounts for half the area of ​​the fruit. Peaches have a light edge that is easily removed during washing and wiping and does not cause any inconvenience when eating.

Sustainability

Redhaven is considered an unpretentious and hardy variety, making it very popular among gardeners.

To the drought

Peach demonstrates excellent drought resistance, which makes it suitable for cultivation in risky farming areas.

To frost

Redhaven is not afraid of returning spring frosts, and in winter it can withstand temperatures dropping to -25 °C. This makes it possible for residents of the southern regions to leave the tree for the winter without additional shelter.

To infections and diseases

The Redhaven peach variety has a medium level of resistance to curl and low resistance to cluster blight and powdery mildew. It is necessary to carry out timely preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of these diseases.

Does the variety need pollinators?

Redhaven is a self-pollinating variety, but reviews from gardeners indicate that trees of other varieties should be planted nearby for pollination and increased yield.

Productivity

From an adult peach, subject to the conditions of agricultural technology, up to 100 kg of high-quality fruits are harvested.

Bloom

The flowering period occurs at the end of April - mid-May.

Beginning of fruiting

The tree begins to bear fruit from the end of July, but depending on the region and weather, these dates may vary.

Peach ripening time

The harvest does not ripen at the same time, so its harvesting period extends for a month or even longer. The start time of harvesting is greatly influenced by weather and climatic conditions.

Rules for collecting and using fruits

Redhaven peach fruits have excellent taste, which provides them with universal use. The thick skin makes it possible to transport the crop over long distances without losing its marketable qualities. In room conditions, fruits are stored for a couple of days, and in the refrigerator for about a week. For longer storage, they are placed in a basement with a temperature of 0-2 °C. Peaches can be used to prepare salads, juices, compotes, jams, desserts, as well as frozen and canned. Of course, the aromatic and tasty fruit is eaten fresh.

In what areas is it recommended to plant?

Redhaven is recommended to be grown in the Central and North Caucasus regions of Russia, but good results were obtained in the south of the country, as well as in the middle zone.

Landing technology

The future harvest depends on compliance with tree planting technology.

Optimal timing

The Redhaven peach is planted approximately in mid-April.By this time, the threat of night frosts should have passed, and the daytime air temperature will warm up to +12 °C.

Soil composition requirements

Redhaven prefers fertile and light soil with good air permeability for cultivation. Loamy soil is suitable for planting trees. But peach cannot be planted in acidic soil or in an area with a close groundwater level.

Choosing a suitable location

Peach should be planted on a level and well-lit area. During daylight hours it should be evenly illuminated by sunlight. In this case, the place must be protected from drafts and winds. The plant should not be placed in the shade of other bushes or trees.

Preparing planting material

For planting, you should purchase Redhaven peach seedlings with a well-developed root system, without signs of disease or rot. There should be no noticeable mechanical damage on the bark. Preference is given to annual trees with a well-formed trunk.

Schemes and distances

The distance between the peach and neighboring trees is left at 3-4 meters.

Planting hole size

A hole for planting is dug with dimensions of 1 x 0.7, although the width may vary depending on the size of the root system.

Landing technology

The prepared hole is filled one third with fertilizers mixed with soil. After this, pour 2 buckets of water into it and place the seedling in the hole, carefully straightening the roots. The tree is covered with earth. The root collar should rise 7 cm above the soil level. Finally, a circle around the trunk is formed and the planted peach is watered abundantly, and then the ground is mulched.

Peach aftercare

No less important is further care of the planted plant, because the abundance and quality of the future harvest depends on it.

Regularity of watering

During the period of vegetative growth, as well as the formation of ovaries, Redhaven should be watered at the rate of 20 liters of water per tree. In subsequent periods, there is no need for abundant irrigation, so water the plant with 1 bucket of water once every 2 weeks.

Top dressing

In the spring, peach is fed with fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus, and in the fall - with humus and complex mineral fertilizers.

Mulching and tree trunk care

After each watering or heavy rainfall, the soil in the tree trunk circle must be loosened and emerging weeds removed. To prevent the evaporation of excess moisture from the soil, it is recommended to mulch with peat, fallen pine needles or mown hay.

Trimming

Before sap flow begins, sanitary and thinning pruning of the crown is done. Its goal is to increase the mass and number of ovaries, as well as to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. 3 years after planting the seedling, formative pruning of the peach crown is performed, giving it a cup-shaped or palmette shape.

Diseases and pests, control methods and prevention

To prevent leaf curl of the Redhaven peach, the crown is treated with copper sulfate, after which the tree is sprayed with “Horus”, and as soon as the flowering period is over, “Polycarbacin” is used.

To prevent moniliosis, you will need to spray the tree with Nitrafen before and after flowering. Fruit rot can only be combated by using systemic fungicides. Redhaven peach is highly resistant to pests, but in case of severe pest infestation, it is necessary to treat the tree with an insecticide.

Shelter for the winter

In the southern climate, Redhaven winters without additional shelter, but in regions with cold winters, airtight material of synthetic or natural origin is used to cover the tree.

The trunk circle is mulched, and to protect the bark from rodents, the trunk is whitened with a solution of lime, after which it is tied with a mesh with small cells.

Hybrid varieties

A few years after the Redhaven peach was developed, breeders introduced its early-ripening hybrid, Early Redhaven, to the attention of gardeners.

What problems do gardeners most often encounter?

According to reviews from gardeners, Redhaven is a truly productive and hardy variety. However, when cultivating it, some summer residents were faced with the need for regular treatments with chemicals to prevent diseases. This was a problem only if a person was constantly busy at work and could not devote much time to the garden. But all the costs and inconveniences were compensated a hundredfold by the harvest of tasty, aromatic and healthy fruits.

With insufficient lighting levels, Redhaven fruits do not grow very presentable in appearance, and their taste is greatly deteriorated.