Bought some cheap plants from Wilkos, January I think, and amongst them were two peach trees, £5 each. Thought I'd have a go in pots, to avoid the peach tree leaf curl.
Well, results - the one on the right is doing well, lots of leaves, the one on the left is obviously struggling! Planted in exactly the same way.
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/jennympics/Wilkospeachtrees1stMay2006.jpg)
I think a lot of plants from places like that have been in high temperatures for some time, and they don't always survive the shock of moving to the garden, or that's what I'm finding anyway. Then there's always the question of what the root system's like.
Wow - how could I have forgotten - I took a picture of the roots when I bought them - sure enough, the picture shows a good root system for the tree on the right and a pretty poor one for the tree on the left!
I think the left hand tree is a good candidate for a good hard pruning. I'd take it back to a handful of vegetative buds on each of the whippy spurs and also lop out the leader to allow the plant to develop a wine glass like shape.
The main problem with letting a peach tree go like that is should the tree develop fruit later on it'll have a hard time supporting any kind of meaningful crop.
Well, the leaders had been lopped out, and the branches tipped already. The branches looked reasonably well developed, and I'm not sure that pruning them would spurt it into growth. The shape of the two trees was very similar, which is why I selected them.
I think the problem is the root sytem was hacked, and it just hasn't been able to put out new roots in time. Feel some leaves would have come by now if they were going to.
No, I guess this one's going to go back for a refund :)
the one on the left looks more like a hardwood cutting than a tree. Cant believe they get away with selling these things.
dont forget to take a copy of the photos as evidence!
Feel a bit guilty jennym, I put the original thread on here about fruit trees at wilkos, i bought a peach and a pear tree,both have leaves on and the peach has got four flowers on it :o :o.,which has surprised me as its been on a cold allotment
without protection :) I would take yours back for a refund,/angle shades x
p.s. jennym forgot to say i love your garden ;D/shades x
aw.......bad luck there jennym....i must say that trees i bought from wilkos and woolies have all been fine...and the other half turns a mortified shade of pink in garden centers if i am buying a fruit tree-i always have it out the pot(carefully!)to see the root system....can't do that with a wilkos one tho so i take pot luck!
kitty
Thank you angleshades, please excuse scruffy grass!
I will take it back, well will phone first, and as DavidR says, I have the photo and they might just accept that.
Kitty, I bought lots of plants and the others are ok, so hopefully it's a one off.
:)