That was my thought as well. The trees are wanting to rest. Peach trees need a dormant period and they didn't receive one.

I agree. Without dormancy they may die. Next winter just put them in the garage, or on the porch if sheltered from rain and direct sun. If direct sun, cover with leaves. Start trees late winter as most plants sprout in spring. Or plant them in the ground! I'm going to grow some from seed (my own seed from current trees) and I will keep them in the ground.

Oh man! I had a feeling that might be a problem! Yes, they've been growing about a year. I just didn't think they'd survive winter outside. I live in Northern Nevada (near Lake Tahoe, Zone 7) and we have some pretty cold winters so I was just afraid that they'd die.

I have an underground root cellar type room, it stays a pretty constant 55-65ºF. Do you think if I put them in there for 30-60 days that might be enough? Or does it need to get colder than that? There is very little light in that room too, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?

Do they need to be watered during their hibernation time?

If all the leaves fall off but the stems look healthy does that mean they might be hibernating but not dead?

I'm sorry for all of the questions, you guys have been INCREDIBLY helpful!! Thank you so much!!

They need to be between 33F to 45F to get the chill they need. About 800 hours, some only need 150, some need a 1000.
Don't give up on them just yet. You never know.

When dormant they don't really need light. Yes water, keep them just moist, do not let them dry out, but don't keep them wet either. I have found watering lasts a good month when dormant. So water good, and check once a week. Let them almost dry out. I have got in the habit of checking the 1st of the month. Water if needed, or determine how soon they will need water. The soil usually stays moist a long time while dormant.

Thank you Drew! Is there a way to know how long they need or do I just try it and hope (do they show any sign when they are "done" being chilled)? Do you think I should remove them from full sun right now at the beginning of summer and let them coast until our actual winter or do they need a chill sooner than that to stay alive? I might be able to find a fridge I can fit them in, if I can I suppose I'll try that...

Goodness I'm nervous!

The best chilling is about 37-50F maybe even 54. A regular fridge at 40F would be ideal. If they drop all leaves putting them in the cellar would be better than warm and sun. They might last until fall in the cellar. Then an unheated garage would be ideal over winter.

They're fine right now. If you can get some chilling and rest they'll take right off again.

That's too bad Logan..We've all experienced something like this at some point in time..At least I have... For what it's worth, I started my peach/nectarine trees from seed as well. Knowing that some wouldn't make it, I began with a dozen pits. They spent two months in the fridge, 37 degrees wrapped in damp peat moss. . Once they came out of the fridge in mid-February, I planted them in regular old potting mix, still wrapped in the peat moss. Here is the link to my blog, it explains everything I did. they sat outside the entire time and really all I did was keep the soil moist. Squirrels got a few of them, but 5 made it and about 6 weeks later I had this...

Not sure where you are, but I certainly didn't lavish and special attention on them, other than making sure they got water. Here is one of them that I planted in the ground a few weeks ago..

If you have the space, next time try starting a few more seeds..good luck.

I have an Indian Free peach tree. It rocks btw, one of the best ever! Anyway it is not self fertile. Most peaches are. So it had to receive pollen from another peach. I have Arctic Glo nectarine PF Lucky 13, and Spice Zee Nectaplum. So any would be a cool cross. I lost most fruit this year to a very cold winter, but the tree managed to produce about 20 fruit. The tree is only 3 feet tall, 3rd leaf. I kept it small. Anyway I want to use the pits and see what I get. Plus maybe use some as rootstock. My other peach trees all have fruit too, so a load of excellent peaches and nectarines is coming my way. All the trees produce awesome first rate fruit.

I will plant all pits in a 1/2 gallon pot and keep in the garage. Plenty of chill there.

Wow Jeremy! Those are looking good! I should have planted more than two; It was sort of a causal "hey, I'll try this" idea when I did it but I've become quite attached and invested in the little guys now.

Planting outside might be okay if I'm careful. It does get really cold here (Northern Nevada, base of the Sierra) but now I'm learning that at the right times of year they need that! We have rabbits that like to eat anything green, so that would probably be my biggest enemy - but they're easy to protect against.

I'll check out your writeup and maybe try a few more this year. Thanks again!

-Logan

I understand...you can get attached to them. it's funny, the things you care the least about seem to do the best and for those things you invest the most time in almost the inverse is true..I hardly expected mine to do as well as they did..part of it is luck, but you can do some things to give them the greatest chance for success. don't give up!

Temperate hearty trees should live outdoors 24-7-365. Indoors growing is no kindness.