Fruit & Orchards Trees Plant Propagation

Questions about propogating peach

7 years ago

I decided to propagate my peach tree. Its over 10 years old. While it gives a decent amount for us the way its pruned/growing is horrible. The previous owners cut off all the lower branches. Even with a ladder I can only reach a few parts of the tree and try my best with a rake to shake off the rest. The tree also has some other issues.

My method: I followed a basic guide for air layering. I removed the bark and scraped it a bit. With a zip lock bag I filled wet top soil that has peat moss around it and tied both ends. After 2 or 3 weeks it still wet inside.

I have some questions about this process:

Can you propagate it by air layering?
Does it need a rootstock to be grafted on? Why yes or no.
When do I cut of the layer?
Is it too late to start now?
Do I bring it inside for the first few months after transplanting?

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Comments (3)

A W
7 years ago
I'm surprised there are no comments...i'd like to know about other peoples experiences with air layering peaches or stone fruit.

I never air layered stone fruit but:

1) I have heard that stone fruit is very difficult to propagate by air layering. But I've also heard that it is do-able but success rate is low.

What part of it did you air layer, ideally for the most success you want to air layer younger wood (1-2 year old branches) - using rooting hormone can also improve success.

2) Yes and no....if you air layer it successfully then it will have root so you do not need a rootstock. A better option to propagate it would be to graft cuttings/scions to a rootstock that is the most successful way of propagation and the most feasible which is done on a commercial scale. Now, the thing to keep in mind is that root stocks are selected for a dwarfing effect, disease resistance, and/or other characteristics.

...so if you successfully air layer it or just root cuttings (also very low success rate) it will be on it's own roots so you will have no idea or have any control over how vigorous it is, its size, or resistance to diseases. But for the individual this might not be a big deal sometimes if you have the space in case it's overly vigorous and maybe it might not overly disease prone in your area.

If you are really set on propagating this peach yourself then buy some root stocks with the dwarfing/disease resistance/characteristics you want, or buy small plants grown from seed, or grow your own seedlings and then graft to them after they are at least pencil thickness for most propagation success.

3) You would cut off the layer once you would see a good amount of roots (that's why you used a zip lock or can use plastic wrap).

4) Yes it is too late, air layering should be done in the spring. Even if done now and you get lucky it can take months to root and the growing season is winding down, cool temperatures aren't very supportive of rooting and if it takes longer any roots in the layered ziplock would freeze if not ready to be planted.

5) If it successfully roots it would probably be best to plant in a pot, keep it indoors or in a cool area, or in an unheated garage depending on how cold it gets where you are...if done in the spring/summer you would keep it in a shady spot so it doesn't burn, and grow for a year, then plant it in its permanent spot.
nmfruit
7 years ago
Grafting is definitely the way to go. I agree that it is too late for air layering now, and with grafting you will have a bearing tree much faster, as well as get the benefits of a specific rootstock. I would collect dormant first year growth this winter, store it with a dampened paper towel in a ziplock in your fridge, get some peach rootstock and in the spring go to it with the guidance of an online tutorial.

Good luck!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
if you want a fruit within 5 years... i suggest you buy a young tree ... the ultimate easy way to do it ... i suppose the problem is.. that you really dont know what your tree actually is.. cultivar wise ....

and in the meantime ... you can fool around with trying to clone yours ...

you might see if you can find a grafter.. who might do some grafts for you... it wont be cheap.. but this would insure success ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=custom+grafting+of+fruit+trees&t=ffcm&ia=web

in the meantime... keep trying yourself ...

you could get a copy of dirrs manual of propagation of trees .. from your library ... it will give you a flavor of all the variables you are going to have to perfect.. should you wish to move forward ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=dirrs+manual+of+propagation+of+trees&t=ffcm&ia=shopping

imo ... beyond pure beginners luck ... and within the gambit of anything is possible ... maybe you will do it.. but in general.. rooting trees is not realistic.. except for a few rare exceptions ... [and trust me.. the ones that root.. are usually the weed trees you really dont want anyway.. lol]

good luck.. and never give up

ken