Several centuries ago, this culture was already very common in the southern and western directions of trade routes. Subsequently, peaches reached the Mediterranean, however, it was cultivated most of all in ancient Persia. The Romans also studied various types of peaches with a description of the main characteristics. Initially, they called this crop “peach apples” because of the obvious similarities between the two fruits. A little later, a peach crossed the ocean and appeared in the United States. Here, this fruit is still given increased attention and a variety of desserts are prepared from it.
As you know, numerous types of peaches are found today in Ukraine, while they grow throughout the country up to the Carpathians, where they began to be cultivated on an industrial scale. There is also a huge number of amateur farms where these fruits have been successfully grown for many years.
Many believe that this culture has virtually no varieties. If you look at the photo of peaches, the species of which are actually numerous, you involuntarily want to eat these sweet and juicy fruits, they look so delicious.
The features and types of peaches will be discussed in this article. Consider the most popular ones.
"Velvety"
The fruits of this variety ripen quite quickly, the first crop is harvested in the second half of July. As a rule, “velvety” peach is grown in the territories from the south of Ukraine to the Crimea.
One fruit weighs about 135 g. At the same time, peaches are distinguished by a round shape and a characteristic bright yellow skin color.
The bone in the fetus is quite small and difficult to separate from the rest of the pulp.
Gartvis
This type of peaches is distinguished by larger round fruits, the weight of which can reach 170 g. To the touch, the fruits are slightly velvety. This variety is rich in juiciness and rich taste. Medium-sized seeds separate from the sweet pulp a little easier, but they rarely remain completely clean.
Peach trees of this variety are characterized by good productivity.
"Starting"
This type of peaches is characterized by frost resistance, high productivity and dessert quality of fruits. Moreover, trees are characterized by increased resistance to powdery mildew.
Also, this variety can be attributed to precocious. Fruits weighing up to 140 g grow by the end of July. Peaches are painted yellow with a pronounced dark red blush that can cover half of the entire surface. The skin of the fruit is slightly fluffy, and the flesh is quite dense. According to tasting estimates, this variety scored 4.8 points. The peach bone is well separated from the pulp. As a rule, this variety is grown in the steppe zone of Ukraine.
"Stavropol pink"
This type of peach has medium-sized fruits, weighing up to 140 g. Their skin is quite light, and the blush has a delicate pink tint. The fruits are slightly velvety to the touch. The flesh of these peaches is quite juicy. However, it tastes a little sour.
This type of peaches begins to bear fruit quite quickly. Moreover, every year the plant brings more and more crops.
"Juicy"
Describing the different types of peaches, it is worthwhile to include this variety in the list. It has a fairly rapid ripening. At the same time, trees tolerate frosts well. The taste qualities of these peaches are not the best, but this is offset by the size of the fruit. One piece can weigh about 200 g.
The skin color of peaches is greenish-cream, and the blush is slightly blurred on the surface. Ripens in late July-early August.
"Soviet"
If we consider this type of peaches, then its name does not quite correspond to the territories in which the culture is grown. In fact, this variety grows in Odessa and the Crimean region. The culture is distinguished by rather large fruits of an oval blunt form. If you choose a shade among the types of peach color, then here it is mixed, consists of two shades: the skin is yellow with a pronounced blush on one side.
The flesh of this peach is unusually juicy and sweet. The stone is very easily separated from the pulp. Like many others, this peach is very fragrant. According to numerous reviews, this variety is quite popular among gardeners, as it has a fairly high yield.
Golden Anniversary
This variety is characterized by fairly large fruits, the weight of which can reach 160 g. An interesting form of peach: it is oval and slightly pressed on the sides. The skin is golden yellow with a crimson blush. This variety of peaches has a rather dense pulp and a very delicate taste.
The size of the bone is slightly larger than average. Trees of this variety are characterized by good resistance to frost and disease.
"Kiev early"
This variety is most often found in Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa and other southern regions of Ukraine. These crops are often grown in Kazakhstan.
This variety is a hybrid. The trees are unpretentious, so they quickly begin to bear fruit. The average weight of peaches is 100 g. Their shape is round, elongated, and the skin color is light yellow. The flesh of this variety has a greenish-white hue, while it is very juicy, with a mild delicate taste.
The Kremlin
This type of peaches (photo below) may be similar to others. But in fact, all of them can differ in their taste, bone size, pulp quality, ripening time and other characteristics.
This variety ripens quite late, not earlier than mid-August. Most often, peach trees grow in Odessa, Crimean and Transcarpathian regions. The main distinguishing feature of this variety is quite large fruits, the weight of which can reach 200 grams. Their skin is yellowish-orange, and the blush is burgundy. At the same time, it can cover most of the surface or touch it lightly on one side.
Many note the harmonious taste of the fruit. The bone is separated from the pulp very quickly and without much effort.
At the same time, plants take root well and tolerate fairly strong frosts.
"Tourist"
Continuing to consider the types and varieties of peaches, it is worth paying attention to this representative of the culture. Trees of this variety grow in the Kherson and Crimean regions. The main distinguishing characteristic of the variety is the size of the fruit, the mass of which can reach up to 200 g. The shape of the peaches is round. The peel of the fruit is a greenish-cream hue. Blush is blurred and occupies up to 50% of the area.
The pulp of the fruits of this variety has a greenish-white hue. Moreover, it is quite juicy and sweet. Such peaches have a very pleasant, pronounced aroma. From one tree, up to 40 kg of fruits are harvested per season. This variety tolerates negative temperatures well.
How to choose peaches
Sweet fruits go on sale from the end of spring (depending on variety) to the end of November. Therefore, when you see peaches on the shelves in May, you should not doubt their maturity. It is also worth considering the particular ripening of a particular variety and the area in which the fruits were grown. If peaches were produced in Russia, then they cannot reach maturity until the end of summer. In Ukraine, crops are received much earlier.
When choosing juicy fruits, you need to carefully study their appearance. Peach should not be too soft. This will indicate that the fruit is already overripe. It is also worth staying away from broken fruits with damaged skin. Some poor-quality or diseased fruits can be distinguished by an unpleasant white coating.
If peaches have not ripened and were plucked, it is recommended to store them at room temperature for several days. It is best to pack them in a brown paper bag.
Ripe peaches should immediately be cleaned in the refrigerator. Before eating, so as not to lose their amazing taste, before using them, it is recommended to remove them from the refrigerator and slightly warm at room temperature.
In the stores you can also buy a variety of types of peach oil, candied fruit, dried fruits and preparations for making compote. For homemade preparations, it is recommended to freeze fruits, then they will retain all their useful properties.
Growing Features
For peaches, it is worth preparing sandy loamy or loamy soil. If clay prevails in the suburban area, then juicy fruits will be very difficult to grow. It is also important to clarify the level of groundwater occurrence. If they are located very high, the land will be very damp and cold, especially in the winter season. Such conditions are considered extremely unsuitable for the cultivation of these fruits.
If we talk about the breeding procedure, for this, as a rule, peach seeds are used. Some grow this crop with vaccination. If you use the fruits themselves, the result will not be the best.
Peaches are most often planted in cherry plum. In this case, the culture can grow even on very clay soil. If the plot is dominated by dry or crushed earth, then grafting peaches is recommended on almonds. This crop can be grown without problems in arid regions. To do this, it is enough to plant a peach on an apricot.
If we talk about caring for a peach tree, then it is enough to carry out standard agricultural measures. For example, you need to periodically weed trunk trunks. Watering trees need a little less if the summer turned out to be very rainy. In conditions of drought, it is necessary to “water” the culture. It is also necessary to periodically loosen the earth.
In addition, experienced gardeners advise timely formation of tree crowns, which should be a kind of bowl. This is done so that most of the branches of culture receive the maximum amount of daylight.
Useful properties of peaches
These amazing fruits have a huge amount of benefits. Peaches are very good for health, as they contain about 15% of natural sugar. In addition, they include a variety of organic acids, minerals, carotene, essential oils and vitamins.
Peaches are recommended for both the elderly and children. Also, this fruit is often used as a dessert in a large number of different diets.
Among other things, peaches are used in folk medicine. For example, they are used to treat diseases such as anemia or hypovitaminosis. In addition, this fruit is useful for those who have just had surgery. Peaches improve appetite and normalize the digestive system.
Fragrant and juicy fruits are an excellent diuretic and laxative. They contribute to the healing of the liver and gall bladder. The pulp of this fruit contains potassium, which is especially indicated for those who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Peaches include organic components that normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in cases of low acidity.
Fruits are also used in cosmetology. Peach seed oil is part of many care products, has a regenerating effect, has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, hair, nails. This is a real fruit balm to enhance health and beauty.
We examined the most popular of many types of peaches, the names of which are heard by many gardeners. We advise you to try and appreciate them. Description of varieties and types of peaches will help to make the right choice.