Peach prune!

ozinus

Clementine by the evidence of that last photo the tree is still about 6 inches out and the evidence of all I suggested is apparent. PLEASE ask your nursery to replace this stock. It is damaged and will never grow according to it's full natural potential. It is only fair that the people responsible for this damage are made aware of it

TreeDimensional

I am going to have to disagree with Sean on the removal of the soil from the main stem. When there is a rain, I believe the sloped hole will fill with run-off water, as the surrounding area is covered with cement pads, not allowing for aborbsion of water. I think this will cause accelerated root rot, and the primarary roots, at the depth they are, are struggling to get enough oxygen even now. This is evident by the initiation of adventitous roots above the primary roots, and below the soil grade.

My vote would be for the removal of the tree, and replacement (at no cost to Clementine) of a better quality tree. This present tree is a waste of Clementine's time and money. The other advantage of removal is that a new tree could be situated in a area where it won't be crowded for space, and planted at a proper depth. When Clemetine selects a new tree, I believe he should also look for a specimen that has a better lateral limb structure.

But hey, its not my tree just my opinion, the points others have made on here are all valid. I just hate to see people spend good money on bad projects.

azrael

Im with Sean...his cartoon showing the correct planting depth is exaggerated of course...but correct IMO.
Clementine, from my interpretation..... the top of the root-ball peach will only be 4cm lower than the level of the tiles around...(and that will also accomodate a bit of mulch to be laid AWAY from the stem).
I see the tree has well developed primary roots, and being still a small spec. it should adjust to this early change.
If it were my tree, I'd give it another year before deciding to remove /replace (but I would discount that may be the eventual fate)...lets see how much vigor it has during the growing season.

clementine

Firstly, Many, Many Thanks to everybody that has contributed helpful advice during the course of this thread.

I had no idea that this would involve so many different opinions and varying remedies.

I do listen to advice. In this instance though, having had my little peach virtually condemned, I decided to hell with it.
I cleared the existing pot soil to a depth of 50mm before finding the start of any real roots.
I dug down and cut any roots that were stopping me from raising the tree (not all) and then lifted it by about 100mm.
I am aware that this may cause great harm or even the death of this tree but with people telling me to get shot anyway it's hardly a gamble.

If it flourishes then that'll be great, We'll see.

Here are the pics:

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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons - for you are crunchy and taste of chicken!
Builder in Central Portugal

azrael

Clementine...I have a good recipe for PEACH JAM

Sean Freeman

Its important to recognise and make clear that each situation we come across may lead to slightly different advice and outcomes, the needs of the tree as a biological system remain universal, and the best practice with regards basic principals like planting depth do not change...in fact I'm thinking we should run a thread on just such topics...however I know and i'm sure most of you do too that each tree owner has their own expectations desires for the trees they own, and their particular circumstances can limit what is actually possible whilst retaining the exisiting stock (plants).

Without a fluent Portuguese speaking friend I would not advise trying to get a replacement sapling from the garden centre/nursery. Though yes I do think Ozinus is absolutely right nurseries should be told that their stock is substandard and why, and how to fix the problem, I've been envovlved in stock inspection for bigger corporate clients and have done just that up around Cairns.

The trees should be lifted and replanted at the correct depth no question, will this knock them back for a period? Yes it will, given the thickness of the roots shown in your photo, cutting through those will have a very visible impact on the little sapling. Thats why I've been leaning towards not doing that...have I been fudging too much on this? Probably.

Well done on the lift (I had to rewrite my post but what they hey!! lol)
Where's the mulch???? Protect the soil from the hot Portuguese sun!!
Keep the soil and roots moist..not drowned. (Get some fish emulsion and seaweed extract...yes, yes I know Portuguese language barrier...you can buy both off the net) Keep us informed of how things go.

__________________
Sean

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
- Kahlil Gibran

mdvaden

Peaches seem to be a big deal in the Viginia to Georgia area.

Pruning Peach Trees

We've got many more here in south Oregon than north Oregon, by far.

Residentially, I encounter so few, I almost have to review each time I prune them.

The biggest constract for a home was about 1/2 acre of 10' tall trees once.

The man got too old to do them himself.

Next year, they sold the place.

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Grove of Redwood TITANS

Oregon BIGOOT trap

clementine

Many thanks for the link mdvaden.

Sean, if you're about

Will this be any good?

Natural Seaweed Extract Fertiliser for all Plants on eBay, also, Fertiliser Soil Improvement, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 07-Feb-08 21:00:00 GMT)

No sign of the fish emulsion

I have noticed that pissing on the lawn (experimentally, of course, I'm sure someone on ere said it was good to do this) makes the grass much greener and grow faster.

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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons - for you are crunchy and taste of chicken!
Builder in Central Portugal

TreeDimensional

Clementine, I had to giggle when you mentioned peeing on the lawn, Don't get caught. I think you might be thinking about the movie "The Worlds Fastest Indian". He was peeing on a lemon tree, I don't know if you want sour peaches.

The go-to people about fertilizers and such on here are Sean Freeman or Azrael. Maybe you should PM them. Just a thought.

Good luck!

Sean Freeman

Hi Clementine, yes that product seems to fit the bill, had to laugh though coming from Derbyshire eh? Long way from the coast Then again heard somewhere recently that you are never further then 65 miles from the coast in England no matter where you are...soooo fair enough.
The peeing thing is really just providing a massive hit of Urea, human urine can be used but in 10:1 dilution and very sparingly on established trees, I've used it anually on my orchids....young fruit trees? sure maybe twice a year in spring and late autumn......but they shouldn't need the Urea to be honest with you.

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Sean

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
- Kahlil Gibran

clementine

Thanks again Sean.
Derby, small world, me Dad was born there.

__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons - for you are crunchy and taste of chicken!
Builder in Central Portugal

Sean Freeman

Where abouts yoth? My folks moved to Nth Derbyshire in the mid 70's then to the South in the early 80's, they now live in a tiny village only 2/3 miles from another village called Melbourne!!! The original Melbourne

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Sean

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
- Kahlil Gibran

clementine

He was born in Belper, then moved to Shrewsbury, shropshire @ 1960.
When he took us to visit his Mum, who lived there all her life in a long row of terraces, me and me Bro use to think it was strange having to use an outside lavvy.
Me Mums mum was from Burton upon Trent, not far from Melbourne.

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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons - for you are crunchy and taste of chicken!
Builder in Central Portugal

StrictlyPalms

Being from the US I'm curious about the terminology for your city names... when you say Burton upon Trent, is that the entire town name? or is Burton north of Trent? Or is Trent a river, mountain, etc?

Just curious.

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Sean Freeman

Its both the name and describes where it is...ie on the Trent river (or rather next to) If I'd paid more attention in school I could tell you the origins and exact meaning of Burton too!!!

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Sean

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
- Kahlil Gibran