Peach, Contender
Prunus Persica 'Contender'
1/2-7/8 inch stem diameter at sale, bare root
Sourced from NY
Cold hardy. Sweet and juicy. Pink blooms.
Description
Other Names: Prunus persica. Parent lineage: ‘Winblo’ x NCX64
Native to: Bred at NC State in 1951 and released in 1989.
Flower Color: Pink
Pollination: Blooms mid- March/early-April. Self-fertile, but yield will increase with multiple trees or varieties.
Fruit Color: Red/yellow with yellow flesh
Fruit Size: Medium-large
Type: Freestone
Harvest in: 2-5 years
Harvest Window: Late August
Mature yield: 3-6 bushels
Mature height: 12-15 ft
Mature width: 12-15 ft
Growth Rate: Up to 24 inches per year
Light Requirements: At least 6 hours of direct sun during the growing season
Water Requirements: 1-2 gallons per week or 1-2 inches of rainfall per week
Disease: Resistance to bacterial spot
Pruning: Early Spring
Fertilizer:
- Year 1: Avoid fertilizer
- Subsequent years: Feed twice a year, Once in April and again in May
- Fertilizer: 10-10-10 is sufficient
- Soil pH: 6.5-7.0
Resources
The University of Maine has released a Bulliten about growing peach trees, which is also helpful to Vermonters. Read the Bulliten Here