Fig peach is so named for the oblate shape of the fruit, reminiscent of figs. This variety has long been known to the Chinese, but in Europe it appeared only in the 19th century. Saturn peach variety can be grown in our conditions. The article will discuss how to do this correctly.

Description and History of Variety Breeding

Peach Saturn was bred in the United States in the 60s of the last century and tested by time. The variety is represented by a vigorous tree (up to 3.5 m), in which a sprawling, lush crown is formed. Blooms in beautiful pink.

Did you know? Peach is a cultigen and cannot be found in the wild. Apricot, plum, almonds and cherry plum participated in the creation of this fruit tree.

Fruits are medium or small in size, weighing 60–80 g, but when thinning out the buds, they grow to 100 g or more. They have a flattened shape with a sunken center and a small, well detachable bone. The creamy skin for the most part has a red blush and slight pubescence.

Inside, the flesh is creamy white, juicy, sweet and aromatic. Taste is rated 4.9 out of 5. Fruits ripen in the medium term. The first fruiting occurs in the second year from the time of planting.

Saturn characteristics

The Saturn fig peach variety has characteristic features, which are described later.

Drought and frost resistance

Saturn withstands frosts well (as for this type of fruit tree). It can be grown in 5–10 zones of frost resistance, that is, it can withstand temperatures drop to -29 ° С.

Pollinators

This is a self-made fruit tree. It can produce good crops in a single planting.

Productivity

Saturn is classified as a high-yielding variety. In industrial conditions, the yield of this fruit tree can reach 60 kg per tree. In private households, the number of fruits from one instance is not higher than 40 kg.

Disease and pest resistance

The variety is vulnerable to bacterial infections, but resistant to the root nematode. Often affected by moth.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

• Saturn may be interested in the following benefits:
• frost resistance;
• high yields;
• great dessert flavor;
• interesting view of flattened fruits;
• a small bone that is easily removed;
• early maturity;
• ability to carry transportation;
• good preservation of fruits (as for peach).

• Disadvantages:
• small sizes of fruits;
• susceptibility to bacterial diseases.

The rules for planting seedlings of fig peach Saturn

Planting fig varieties of peach is no different from planting ordinary varieties.

Dates and seat selection

In the southern regions, these fruit trees can be planted in spring and autumn, and seedlings in containers can be planted throughout the season. Spring planting is carried out when the threat of frost has passed, but the buds have not yet swollen. In autumn, a tree is planted at least a month before frost. Spring is considered the best time for planting, as it is easier for a young seedling to get stronger before the onset of winter.

The landing site is chosen without cold winds, with good sunlight. It should not collect precipitation or come close to groundwater. A great choice is the location of the tree on the south side of the house or fence.

Important! Peaches cannot be planted after other stone fruit trees. Melons and solanaceous crops, strawberries are considered to be bad predecessors, since they have common diseases.

Site preparation and seedlings

A hole with a soil mixture for planting should be prepared in advance. It is recommended to prepare it for spring planting in the fall, and for autumn planting - a few weeks before planting a seedling. The distance between Saturn peach trees is maintained at 3.5–4 m. A hole is dug with a depth of 65–70 cm and with approximately the same diameter.

The topsoil during digging is laid in a separate pile, then mixed with two buckets of humus, ash (300 g), superphosphate (50 g) and potassium sulfate (50 g). As a mineral fertilizer, you can take complex with a low nitrogen content (nitrophosphate).

If the soil is clayey and poorly permeable, sand and more humus are added to it, and at the bottom of the pit a drainage layer is made of gravel or broken brick. A seedling with an open root system should be soaked for 1-2 days in clean water, to which a root stimulant can be added.

The process of planting young seedlings

The planting procedure for the fig variety is as follows:

1. They try on a young tree to the pit and add a hill of the required height to the bottom.
2. Then insert a stake to garter a seedling.
3. Peach is placed on top of a hill from a soil mixture and spread its roots.
4. The tree is covered with prepared soil so that the grafting site is 3-5 cm above the ground level and gently tamped.
5. Form a trunk circle.
6. The seedling is tied with a soft material to the support and watered.

It is recommended to mulch the trunk circle (with dry grass, humus, sawdust), leaving a little free space near the trunk from the mulch.

Important! During autumn planting, it is not recommended to add organic matter or nitrogen fertilizers to the pit so that the kidneys do not wake up.

Saturn Fig Peach Care Rules

To get a good yield, you need to take good care of the peach.

Prevention and protection against pests and diseases

From the occurrence of bacterial and fungal diseases, the tree is sprayed twice with a Bordeaux mixture or with copper sulfate:

• in the spring before budding;
• in the fall after leaf fall.

In the presence of insect pests (weevils, ticks, moths, fruit moths), preparations of the “Karbofos” type are used.

The rest of the preventive work that protects the tree from pests and diseases is as follows:

• sanitary pruning of damaged branches;
• processing of places of cuts with garden var;
• whitewashing the trunk with a bark cleaning;
• digging the trunk circle;
• disposal of carrion, fallen leaves and cut branches.

Important! Any chemical treatments should be stopped 20 days before the planned harvest.

Watering frequency

Saturn fig peach needs watering. When hot weather is established in the summer, humidification is carried out every 14 days, taking into account that 20–25 liters of liquid goes under each tree. For watering, use warm water and take into account weather conditions.

Feeding scheme

To get a good harvest, Saturn needs to be fed with nutrients.

Professional gardeners recommend fertilizing a crop according to this scheme:

• in the spring, under each tree - urea 50 g, ammonium nitrate 75 g;
• in the fall - potash-phosphorus fertilizers (50 g of potash, 40 g of phosphorus).

Every 2-3 months for a peach you need to make humus or dung when digging in the fall.

Cropping and shaping the crown

After planting in the spring, the seedling must be pruned. With autumn planting, this process is also carried out in spring. To do this, the shoots are cut to 2-3 buds, and the main directing shoot is left 30 cm higher from the others. The tree is cut so that its height is not more than 1.5 m.

The branches should be in a horizontal position, so when pruning, branches that grow at an acute angle to the trunk are removed. Then, removal of growing shoots to smaller parameters should be carried out. Pruning is carried out before sap flow. The process of removing branches and shoots is carried out on a warm and not rainy day. Cutting sites should be covered with garden varnish to prevent infection.

As a rule, a crown is formed in a cup shape. If the correct pruning is carried out in the first 2–3 years after planting a seedling, then later on the tree will not need intensive pruning. It will be necessary to carry out only sanitary pruning, removing dry branches growing inside the crown and affected by the disease. Later, anti-aging pruning is done - at the end of summer after a full harvest.

Did you know? Peach pulp moisturizes the skin well and is used in home cosmetics for making masks. The cosmetics industry includes peach seed oil as part of skin care products.

Winter preparations

Saturn fig peach is resistant to frost, but it needs to be prepared for the cold season. To do this, mulching the trunk section is carried out. As mulch, humus, compost, hay, grass will do. The procedure will protect the roots of the tree from freezing.

The bark of a young seedling is thin and also needs protection from insect pests and cold. Before freezing, the trunk should be whitened with lime mortar and wrapped with agrofibre, burlap, a piece of roofing material or other material for shelter. Better to use breathable materials. In early spring, such a shelter should be removed. Whitewashing will protect not only from pests, but also from active sunlight in the spring.

Harvesting and storage

Harvest peaches can be harvested already in the second year after planting a seedling. In order for the fruits to be large and tasty, you need to thin out the flower buds. Small ovaries and damaged specimens are removed. Fruits are recommended to be harvested 2-3 days before their full ripening. Harvesting is recommended in the morning when the sun is not so active.

Peaches should be separated from the branches carefully so as not to damage the skin. After harvesting, Saturn fig peaches can be stored for up to 12 days. It is good to consume these fruits fresh, they are also suitable for processing - they make tasty juices and compotes.

Did you know? Peaches improve mood, help to overcome depression, relieve anxiety, therefore in Hungary these fruits are called “calm fruits”.

Peach Saturn is a productive variety of medium-term ripening figs. Its fruits have a flattened shape and excellent taste. The variety has good frost resistance, self-fertile, which makes it attractive to gardeners. Caring for him is not complicated.