How to Grow Peaches and Nectarines in Kenya

The peach plant bears an edible succulent fruit known as the peach or a nectarine. Peaches and nectarines might be the same species, but they are commercially considered to be different fruit. Genetically, nectarines are produced from a recessive allele for fuzzy skin whereas peaches are produced due to a dominant allele for fuzzes on the skin, hence the difference.

Nectarines are not a hybrid fruit, they are peaches that lack the gene for fuzz! Every so often a nectarine can be spotted growing naturally on one of our peach trees. Though they’re peaches in disguise, nectarines are regarded commercially as different fruits and the lack of fuzz can make for a very different eating experience. As with peaches, nectarines can be white or yellow, clingstone or freestone. On average, they’re slightly smaller and sweeter than their cousins and their lack of fuzz can make their skins appear more reddish. The nectarines deeper sometimes almost purple coloration contributed to a mistaken belief that they are hybrids of peaches and plums.

The world’s largest peach producer is China, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United States but currently gaining momentum in African countries like Kenya.

Cultivation Of Peach

Peaches thrive in a limited range of dry continental or temperate climates. Most of the peach cultivars need chilling climate between 0 to 10 degrees Celsius when important chemical reactions take place even though the plant might appear dormant. After the chilling period, the plant enters quiescence which is the second type of dormancy. The plant requires warm weather so that buds can grow and break.

The trees can thrive in temperatures between -26 to -30 degrees Celsius however the buds become less cold tolerant during late winter. Eventually, the summer heat is required for a peach plant to mature which then begins to bear fruits in their third year of cultivation. The plant can have a lifespan of between 7 and 15 years.

How to Start Peach Farming in Kenya

Starting peach farming business in both commercially and in small scale is very easy and simple. The peach trees generally require less caring. So, you will probably be able to easily start and operate this business, even if you are a beginner.

The peach trees generally grow in the areas with relatively low temperature with the availability of full sun. And almost all types of soils are good for peach farming in Kenya.

If you live somewhere with cool weather, then you can start peach farming business. Here in this guide, we are trying to describe more information about peach farming business from planting, caring to harvesting and marketing.

Select Good Location

The peach plants generally require deep sandy loam soil. It will be better if the soil become rich in organic matter with good drainage system.

Ideal pH of the soil should be between 5.8 and 6.8. Acidic and saline soils are unfit for peach cultivation.

The land with gentle slope is considered ideal for peach cultivation. The plant thrives best in foothills, high hills and mid hills situation.

Prepare the Soil

You have to prepare the soil perfectly before planting the peach trees. The peach trees generally require deep sandy loam soil with lots of organic materials and good drainage system.

Prepare the land by digging 5m X 5m apart and fill the beds with 20 kg of organic fertilizer or manure, 125 grams of urea and 25 ml of chlorpyriphos. Mix all these with 30 cm soil and fill above 10 cm of ground level.

Climate Requirement For Peach Farming

The peach fruit can be cultivated in a wide range of climatic conditions. The trees are tolerant to warm climatic conditions compared to other stone fruits.

The peach plants prefer clear and warm weather during it’s fruiting season. The plants require about 24°C temperature for ripening the fruits.

Best Time For Peach Farming

The peach plants can be planted anytime. But for better growth and good production, the plants should be planted in July or early March.

Purchase Peach Seedlings

Propagation in peach fruit is done by raising rootstock and grafting. Both types are available in the market. Purchase depending on the availability in your area. Contact Farmers Trend nursery for peach seedlings 0724559286 or 0790509684

Plants Per Acre

Exact number of plants per acre depends on the propagation and planting system used. For planting square system is generally used with spacing of 4 m X 5 m.

Planting

June to August is considered as the best time for peach plant plantation. Although, you can plant anytime if you have good irrigation system.

Light watering is very important after planting in the field (in case of dry spell). But in the case of irrigated conditions, the plants can be planted during December and January month.

Caring

Taking good care of the plants is very important for successful peach farming business. Although, the peach plants generally require less caring and other management. But taking additional caring will help in total yield.

Yield

On an average, 20 to 30 kg fruits can be harvested from a 3 years old tree.