Stone fruits are a challenge in the east plus a lot of work .Even in the best of years you are gambling with frosts and freezes. They require pruning, fertilization an weed control. They require a consistent spay program to control the myriad of insects and fungi that attack them. Plum curculio, Oriental fruit moth, peachtree borer, lesser peachtree borer, shothole borer, catfacing insects, scale, Japanese beetle, and the green June beetle are the most common.. Brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) is the most common fungal disease, but scab (Venturia carpophila), leaf curl(Taphrina deformans), Gummosis (Botryosphaeria dothidea) are often also present. There are others including several bacteria diseases. Control requires a lot pruning clean up and a long term consistent spray program.
"Growing quality peaches in the home garden can be very rewarding but challenging unless a rigid pest and disease control program is maintained." Clemson University. I grew peaches for years when I was younger, but I am no longer able to keep up with the work required.
Peach (Prunus persica 'Redskin')
