peaches - not pruning but ? picture added

[jojo54]

This is my second season living here with my fruit trees. Last year we had a cold snap at the wrong time and the peaches did not produce. This year we have lots of peaches starting but I remember being told something about taking off some of the peaches so the other grow big. This isn't called pruning but what is it and how do you do it. Do you cut, pinch or what the little peaches and when do you do it. How many do you take off?

Help anyone?

I took a pic of one of the trees. Should I thin or not?

 

[journey11]

I guess you'd call it thinning. Pull the extras off so that all peaches are at least a fist's width apart (about 4" or so). I look for the puny, buggy ones first. They come off pretty easily with a little twist and pull motion. This just gives you bigger peaches. You *could* leave them all on (the duds will fall off usually anyways) and they'll just be a little smaller.

 

[Kim_NC]

We calling it thinning too....and friends of ours who own a very large orchard also call it thinning. We thin them to 4-6" between fruits, removing the less desirable ones as Journey mentions.

At the same time, we also remove any small new branches that are sprouting upward from the top of the larger branches. These are sometimes called "water sprouts". They will pull right off without using a tool. Removing them keeps the tree more open for light and air circulation, which helps the fruit develop more nicely.

 

[4grandbabies]

I found my trees dropped the extras on their own if they had too many, however, the idea of thinning, and letting that light and air thru early sounds like a very good idea

 

[jojo54]

I added pic to the first post.

 

[journey11]

Oh boy, that's one full peach tree. Gonna be a good year!
You've got your work cut out for you though!

ETA: We had a heavy load on one of ours a few years ago and the branches bent so low they were touching the picnic table beneath it. They never broke, but they sure were weighed down!

 

[LVVCHAP]

Will the same work with apple trees? Is that how the commercial growers get their fruit so big? I knew that a tree dropped fruit on their own but didn't realize that thinning would increase size.

 

[vfem]

I do believe thinning increases size and sweetness I was told. Somehow less fruits get more sugars!

 

[LVVCHAP]

Thanks Vfem,
I think I will try it on one branch and see if it makes a difference.

 

[jojo54]

Thanks Vfem,
I think I will try it on one branch and see if it makes a difference.

What a smart thing to do!!! I think I'll follow suit. Comparisions always work the best and you'll have the results right at your fingertips. That's for the brain wave. :rainbow-sun