A Peach of a Gift
Waaaay back at the end of July, I received an email from Gurney’s® Seed and Nursery.
They made some wonderful sounding promises about a peach tree.
"Gurney’s Flat Wonderful Peach Tree is the result of decades of breeding at Rutgers University. The peach’s flat, doughnut-like shape gives it a perfectly bite-sized height—great for fresh eating, and less messy than round peaches. The snackable shape also makes it easier to pit and slice.
Flat Wonderful was practically a secret until Gurney’s claimed it and started marketing—its hybrid parents had never been released by the University. A round ‘momma’ and a flat ‘daddy’ give this decadent peach its flat shape and truly wonderful flavor.
Obscenely Rich Flavor Like No Other Peach
Flat Wonderful’s flavor has been described by industry experts as richly complex, with hints of raspberry, blueberry, honey, and—believe it or not—expensive, carefully brewed beer. Slightly spiced and very sweet compared to the typical peach, which is often blandly sweet, Flat Wonderful offers hardcore peach-lovers a firm texture. Unique to this variety and unusual for peaches, experts describe its texture as gently chewy. With a Flat Wonderful Peach Tree in your yard, gone are the days of melting peach textures and messy snacking. Sink your teeth into this wonderful peach, and you’ll never grow another variety again.
The best peach you’ll ever eat grows on a beautiful semi-dwarf tree that matures to 15 feet with an 18-foot spread. Leaves start the season a brilliant red, then fade to green in mid summer. Large pink blooms in late spring—and the tree’s size and shape—make it a true garden specimen."
Sounded intriguing, to say the least. I'd been wanting to add a peach tree to my back yard, ever since I'd been forced (by the life cycle of the tree) to cut down my Ash trees. Their loss, while traumatic, did open a window of opportunity. And here was a chance to not only get a peach tree... this one would be free. Yes, a free peach tree. I likes free.
There was a catch, however. This tree was rated for cooler areas of the country. How would it do in Houston? Will it fruit? Will it survive the heat in the summer?
I decided to give it a try. I volunteered to test the tree, in Southern conditions.
This is what I got.
It came a little early.... in August. Now, if you're from anywhere but Houston, or areas farther south, you'll probably be thinking.. humm.... kinda late... will it get established before winter?
My problem was just the opposite. I had to keep it alive until it was cool enough to plant, probably towards the end of September. PLUS...we were in the midst of an epic drought. And, did I mention, it was HOT. Oh, and it had arrived unheralded, as I'd not heard back from the company that it was coming. That meant that it sat in its little cardboard box for about 12 hours or so, until we found it at the very end of the day. The day it arrived, the high temperature had been 103 F.
So, I stashed the little tree in the shade and made sure to water it often.. every day or so. I watched anxiously to see if it would wilt or show signs of stress. It seemed unfazed by its transition from the Midwest to the heat and humidity of Houston. That was all the more amazing to me because I knew that, where it had been grown, it had been cooler and wetter than normal for the summer.
I let the rest of the month pass, and by then, the rains had started to come. The heat had broken and the weatherman promised at least a week of cooler temperatures and some rain.. and most importantly... cloudy skies. I needed those clouds, not only to keep things cool, but to make sure the little tree didn't get sunburned before it could settle its roots.
This is where I chose to plant the little tree. Remember, I am at least one growing zone south of its southernmost rating, so I planted it where it would get shade in the hottest part of the day for the first couple of years it's going to be growing. After it gets tall enough that it will be in sun full time, it should either have established itself, strongly....or have died from the heat.
Humm... not root bound, by any means.
They made some wonderful sounding promises about a peach tree.
"Gurney’s Flat Wonderful Peach Tree is the result of decades of breeding at Rutgers University. The peach’s flat, doughnut-like shape gives it a perfectly bite-sized height—great for fresh eating, and less messy than round peaches. The snackable shape also makes it easier to pit and slice.
Flat Wonderful was practically a secret until Gurney’s claimed it and started marketing—its hybrid parents had never been released by the University. A round ‘momma’ and a flat ‘daddy’ give this decadent peach its flat shape and truly wonderful flavor.
Obscenely Rich Flavor Like No Other Peach
Flat Wonderful’s flavor has been described by industry experts as richly complex, with hints of raspberry, blueberry, honey, and—believe it or not—expensive, carefully brewed beer. Slightly spiced and very sweet compared to the typical peach, which is often blandly sweet, Flat Wonderful offers hardcore peach-lovers a firm texture. Unique to this variety and unusual for peaches, experts describe its texture as gently chewy. With a Flat Wonderful Peach Tree in your yard, gone are the days of melting peach textures and messy snacking. Sink your teeth into this wonderful peach, and you’ll never grow another variety again.
The best peach you’ll ever eat grows on a beautiful semi-dwarf tree that matures to 15 feet with an 18-foot spread. Leaves start the season a brilliant red, then fade to green in mid summer. Large pink blooms in late spring—and the tree’s size and shape—make it a true garden specimen."
Sounded intriguing, to say the least. I'd been wanting to add a peach tree to my back yard, ever since I'd been forced (by the life cycle of the tree) to cut down my Ash trees. Their loss, while traumatic, did open a window of opportunity. And here was a chance to not only get a peach tree... this one would be free. Yes, a free peach tree. I likes free.
There was a catch, however. This tree was rated for cooler areas of the country. How would it do in Houston? Will it fruit? Will it survive the heat in the summer?
I decided to give it a try. I volunteered to test the tree, in Southern conditions.
This is what I got.
It came a little early.... in August. Now, if you're from anywhere but Houston, or areas farther south, you'll probably be thinking.. humm.... kinda late... will it get established before winter?
My problem was just the opposite. I had to keep it alive until it was cool enough to plant, probably towards the end of September. PLUS...we were in the midst of an epic drought. And, did I mention, it was HOT. Oh, and it had arrived unheralded, as I'd not heard back from the company that it was coming. That meant that it sat in its little cardboard box for about 12 hours or so, until we found it at the very end of the day. The day it arrived, the high temperature had been 103 F.
So, I stashed the little tree in the shade and made sure to water it often.. every day or so. I watched anxiously to see if it would wilt or show signs of stress. It seemed unfazed by its transition from the Midwest to the heat and humidity of Houston. That was all the more amazing to me because I knew that, where it had been grown, it had been cooler and wetter than normal for the summer.
I let the rest of the month pass, and by then, the rains had started to come. The heat had broken and the weatherman promised at least a week of cooler temperatures and some rain.. and most importantly... cloudy skies. I needed those clouds, not only to keep things cool, but to make sure the little tree didn't get sunburned before it could settle its roots.
This is where I chose to plant the little tree. Remember, I am at least one growing zone south of its southernmost rating, so I planted it where it would get shade in the hottest part of the day for the first couple of years it's going to be growing. After it gets tall enough that it will be in sun full time, it should either have established itself, strongly....or have died from the heat.
Humm... not root bound, by any means.
The graft was good, and the shoot from the graft was strong and vigorous, about as big around as my index finger. The root stock was about as big around as my thumb.
August 30.. yep... that's when it got planted. You'll note that it's got some nice branching going on and that the leaves are in very good shape.
It was even putting on new leaves!
Now, where I was planting the tree was once the site of a compost heap that became a raised bed. I knew the soil should be pretty good there, though I'd not dug in the bed for a while, as I'd planted it in shade perennials... who did not survive the felling of the tree, alas.
Yeah, I'd say the soil was pretty good. I didn't need to add anything. We'd dressed the whole area with leaves the previous three years and they, and the earthworms had done their magic.
Then, knowing as I do, that I have a dog that likes to dig in dirt I'VE recently dug... I made some provisions to protect the little darling. I also started to lay out a DIY sprinkling system.
I've not finished that project yet. Sigh.
So far, the little tree is doing very well. I'll get 'Pup to take some pictures and send them to me to post. We've gotten a little rain lately (about 15 inches in the last couple of months), and it seems to like where I've planted it.
It will be, I think, a semi-dwarf tree... though.. in Houston, what that means is any one's guess. Things tend to grow somewhat larger here, because of the extended growing season. I'm not sure if I'll get fruit this first spring (I rather doubt it), but I can always hope. I am quite delighted in this FREE gift, and hope to see it be successful here.
For more information about this tree, and the company who sent it, go to Gurney's Seed and Nursery for online ordering and a free catalogue.
To make sure I've satisfied the law regarding disclosure, let me restate that I've received this tree for FREE, and that I will be test growing it under some conditions under which it is not guaranteed to thrive. My report of its progress will be (I'm gonna try) monthly or semi-monthly. Cross your fingers, folks...this might be interesting!
August 30.. yep... that's when it got planted. You'll note that it's got some nice branching going on and that the leaves are in very good shape.
It was even putting on new leaves!
Now, where I was planting the tree was once the site of a compost heap that became a raised bed. I knew the soil should be pretty good there, though I'd not dug in the bed for a while, as I'd planted it in shade perennials... who did not survive the felling of the tree, alas.
Yeah, I'd say the soil was pretty good. I didn't need to add anything. We'd dressed the whole area with leaves the previous three years and they, and the earthworms had done their magic.
Then, knowing as I do, that I have a dog that likes to dig in dirt I'VE recently dug... I made some provisions to protect the little darling. I also started to lay out a DIY sprinkling system.
I've not finished that project yet. Sigh.
So far, the little tree is doing very well. I'll get 'Pup to take some pictures and send them to me to post. We've gotten a little rain lately (about 15 inches in the last couple of months), and it seems to like where I've planted it.
It will be, I think, a semi-dwarf tree... though.. in Houston, what that means is any one's guess. Things tend to grow somewhat larger here, because of the extended growing season. I'm not sure if I'll get fruit this first spring (I rather doubt it), but I can always hope. I am quite delighted in this FREE gift, and hope to see it be successful here.
For more information about this tree, and the company who sent it, go to Gurney's Seed and Nursery for online ordering and a free catalogue.
To make sure I've satisfied the law regarding disclosure, let me restate that I've received this tree for FREE, and that I will be test growing it under some conditions under which it is not guaranteed to thrive. My report of its progress will be (I'm gonna try) monthly or semi-monthly. Cross your fingers, folks...this might be interesting!
Labels: garden stuff, product review, test growing the peach
posted by Nancy at 12:11 AM
3 Comments:
Too cold for peaches here, so good luck with your too hot site!
I have seen those peaches in the store and at farmers' markets, but never tasted them. Hope it turns out well!
I wish I had your patience in nurturing! I might be Houston way someday since my son is in college there...maybe the peaches will be ready. When would they be ready if the tree makes it??
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