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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    February 11, 2012
    Certified Expert
    A.

    The blackening could be from sooty mold, which is often brought about from pests. In this case, the pests could be peach borers or aphids. Neem oil can help with both the sooty mold and aphid or other pest problem. The article on peach borers will help if that is the problem. Here is more information:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-borer.htm

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    March 4, 2012
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Being in zone 4, there is a possibility that frost is killing the blossoms early in the spring, before they have a chance to open. A light frost will kill the blossoms but leave the foliage undamaged.

    Start checking the tree early to see if you can spot flower buds and, if possible, try to cover the tree with a sheet if any frost is expected to try and save the buds.

    Also, double check that the peach tree you have is appropriate for zone 4. There are only a few that can grow and bloom in your zone.

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    March 11, 2012
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It could be either lack of pollination or buttoning, which is insufficient chilling.

    In regards to buttoning, the winter prior to the poor season, did you have an unusually warm winter? Without proper chilling, peaches cannot bring fruit to maturity. Different varieties need different amounts of chilling hours, so your may just not have gotten enough the year prior. The only fix for this is to hope that your winter was cold enough this year.

    A lack of pollination will also cause this issue. When the flowers were on the tree, did you use a pesticide or was it very windy so that to keep the bees from getting to the tree? There may also have been a pollinator crisis in your area which greatly reduced the number of honey bees or other pollinators, which would have resulted in poor pollination. These articles will help with attracting and keeping pollinators in your garden:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/insect-pollination-process.htm
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/creating-a-pollinator-garden.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 10, 2012
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Plant in early spring. The following article should be of some help to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-care.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 12, 2012
    Certified Expert
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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 21, 2012
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Dormant sprays should actually be started in winter. Use dormant sprays before green tissue shows in spring buds. Use on days when the air temperature is above freezing. Use a Superior Oil spray for the first dormant spray application in mid- to late winter. Three weeks later make a second application of Superior Oil or Liquid Lime Sulfur.

    When spraying trees to control peach borer pests, choose those with lindane endosufan or chlorpyrifos. Sprays should be mixed according to label instructions. They should also be applied so that it runs down the trunk and soaks into the ground around the base. Try not to spray on foliage or any fruit that may still be on the tree. The best time to spray trees is within the first or second week of July and again in late August or September.

    For most pest issues, I recommend neem oil. It is organic and very effective. It is often sold as fruit tree spray at stores. Check the label. Here is more information on neem oil: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm

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