( Prunus persica ‘Reliance’) Reliance Peach Tree

Sun Needs:

• Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
• Requires a sheltered site with good air circulation

Bloom Time:

• Mid to late spring
• Fruit ripens in mid to late August

Size:

Height: 12 to 20 feet (standard or semi-dwarf depending on rootstock)

Width: 12 to 20 feet

Attributes:

• Medium to large, freestone peaches with red-blushed skin and yellow flesh
• Sweet, juicy flavor with a hint of tartness
• Self-pollinating
• Extremely cold-hardy (down to -25°F)
• Vigorous growth and high yield
• Fragrant pink blossoms in spring
• Excellent for northern gardeners and short growing seasons

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained, loamy soil with pH 6.0–7.0
• Water 1–2 inches per week from flowering to harvest
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)
• Prune in late winter to maintain an open center and remove vertical or damaged branches
• Thin fruit in early summer to 6–12 inches apart for better size and quality

Pest Watch:

• Monitor for peach leaf curl, brown rot, and plum curculio
• Apply dormant oil or copper fungicide before bud swell to prevent disease
• Netting may be needed to protect ripening fruit from birds and wildlife