Peach trees are deciduous and have a lifespan of a little under fifty years. Originating in China, the peach tree, like most other temperate and tropical plants, is an angiosperm. As such, their seeds are enclosed within the fruit that grows on them. When one of the seeds from the fruit is released and lands on the ground, the process of growth begins anew. From that moment, the process follows a predictable and steady path, outlined as follows:
- Germination: The peach seed, or pit, is large and oval shaped and surrounded by a wood-like shell. The seed holds all of the genetic material needed for growth and if the environmental conditions are correct, it begins to sprout.
- Growth: After the peach seed sprouts, it then sends out roots to collect water and nutrients from the soil. When the tree reaches full maturity, they will typically stand at a height of 15-20 feet and will take three to four years before any peaches appear.
- Reproduction: Like any fruit tree, peach trees use flowers to aid in reproduction. In each flower, there are both male and female reproductive parts. Attracted to these flowers, insects carry pollen from the male anthers to the female pistil. When this occurs, the flower begins to pollinate.
- Pollination: During pollination, the ovules are fertilized and the seed begins to grow. Typically in peach trees, this process will take about ten days before the seed fully develops.
- Seed Development: This stage is probably the most recognizable by casual observers as it is the time in which the seed develops. As the seed grows, a thick wall begins to form around it. In fruit trees, this wall is made up of sugars and is often sweet to the taste. When the wall is fully developed, the peach is ripe and can be eaten.
- Dispersal: Once the peach is ripe, it is often eaten by both humans and animals. After the fruit is discarded, the seed often end up on the ground where it germinates and the peach life cycle begins anew.
Nature is fascinating to watch and the life cycle of a peach tree is a great example of nature’s brilliance at work. From a small, wood like seed sprouts a beautiful tree with bright pink flowers. Attracted by the flower’s brilliant color, insects come to help the tree reproduce by carrying pollen from the male part of the flower to the female. Upon pollination, a new seed begins to grow and is protected by a sweet, juicy wall known to us as a peach. Thanks to the peach’s delicious taste, humans and animals alike help the tree to reproduce by exposing the seed and often leaving it on the ground, where the whole process begins once more.
This article was written exclusively for Pick-A-Pepper by Pearson Farm, a fifth-generation family-ownedbusiness dedicated to growing Georgia Peaches and Georgia Pecans.
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