If your peach trees were in bloom during one of our earlier cold snaps, then likely not. It looks like we may have a peach crop this year in the Manhattan area as long as we don’t receive any additional frosts. Actually 28 degrees is the temperature at which we start losing peach buds if they are in full bloom. Unopened buds are more cold tolerant. So how can you tell if your peach buds are still alive?
To check for low temperature injury to fruit buds or blossoms, use a sharp knife or razor blade and cut the bud in half longitudinally. If the area in the center is white to cream color and the style of the pistil is has not darkened then no damage has been done. But if the center in several buds or blossoms is dark brown or black, it has been killed. See last week’s newsletter for a photo of a living and dead bud. (Ward Upham)
To check for low temperature injury to fruit buds or blossoms, use a sharp knife or razor blade and cut the bud in half longitudinally. If the area in the center is white to cream color and the style of the pistil is has not darkened then no damage has been done. But if the center in several buds or blossoms is dark brown or black, it has been killed. See last week’s newsletter for a photo of a living and dead bud. (Ward Upham)
RSS Feed
