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From spring to late autumn, all amateur gardeners and professional summer residents reap the fruits of their labor: they harvest delicious apples, pears, cherries or peaches. As for the latter, the Cardinal peach can be called the most popular variety in household plots. The early fruits of this variety have a wonderful and rich taste, and the pulp is fragrant.
Variety description
All fruit trees growing in any garden have not one variety, but several. It happens that the number of varieties of one subspecies reaches several tens. And, characteristically, each of them has its own differences, nuances and features. Peach Cardinal is also no exception to this rule.
External characteristic
Like any cultivated fruit tree, the Cardinal variety has a thickened, rounded crown (pictured).
The strength of growth of this peach is average, unlike its other relatives. This feature is more than beneficial for summer residents during the annual harvest. Since a small height will allow you to collect all the fruits to one and without special devices and huge stairs.
Fruit
The fruits of the Cardinal are also slightly different from the usual varieties: they are also round, but slightly flattened laterally. They reach medium sizes – no more than 150 grams. As for the color of peaches, it is standard – mostly yellow with orange and almost red, carmine, patches. According to the description, the yellow, fibrous pulp, as in the photo, is distinguished by a rich, bright aroma and juiciness, and the taste, experts say, will satisfy any taste. Indeed, in these peaches, the balance of sweetness and acidity is perfectly observed.
Maturation
Typically, peach trees begin to harvest in late summer – early autumn, but this variety is characterized by early ripening. You can enjoy juicy and ripe fruits already at the end of July, which cannot but rejoice – after all, many other fruits ripen by this moment. This will allow you to have on the table and in the diet a full range of vitamins and minerals. In addition, the yield of Cardinal is characterized as high. So, everyone at home will not only have the opportunity to try a delicious fruit, but there will still be a lot left for conservation for the winter. The Cardinal begins to bear fruit in the second or third year after planting the seedling.
Stability
All pets of any garden are sooner or later endangered – attacked by insects or bacteria. But, some of them are more susceptible to “ailments”, and some are less. This variety of peach belongs to the latter. For example, its resistance to powdery mildew is high. The chance of getting sick is minimal. There is only one small minus – this tree is afraid of frost, which is very bad in our cold climate.
Peculiarities of growing
There are no cultivation features that differ from other varieties of peaches. However, based on the description of the variety itself, brought to us from the USA, we can conclude – The cardinal needs not only standard fruit care – pruning, watering and fertilizer, but also good preparation for wintering.
In addition to proper pruning and crown formation in the fall, before the cold weather, the tree should be “warmed” a little. Many gardeners use a special insulation for this, which is sold in stores. However, there is an easier way to go. The root system from freezing can be covered with dry leaves mixed with earth and ash. This will allow the roots to breathe and, at the same time, be protected.
The stem part from the root can be insulated with ordinary burlap. Such “wealth” can be found in any area, therefore, there are no difficulties in this procedure. Bags need to be wrapped in several layers of the trunk, tied with twine or any other rope. Now the peach is not afraid of even severe frosts. The main thing is to have time to open them in early spring so that the “evil” rays of the sun do not help harmful bacteria form under the burlap.
Video “Growing peach and nectarine”
Features of growing peach and nectarine – in the video below.