Peaches for Subtropical South Florida

Abstract

Low-chill peach [ Prunus persica(L.) Batsch] genotypes with commercial quality have been developed and are adapted to the subtropical conditions in south Florida. The yellow flesh cultivars recommended are ‘Flordaprince’, ‘TropicBeauty’ and “UFGold’. Additionally, ‘Flordaglo’ and ‘TropicSnow’ are white flesh cultivars with high sugar content and noticeably sweet taste. These cultivars require from 150 to 200 chill units, ripen from mid-April through mid-May, and have fruit size greater than five cm diameter (85 to 140g). Trees are vigorous, upright to spreading depending on the cultivar, and produce fruit within two years from field planting. Fruit have high exterior red blush with yellow or cream background for yellow and white flesh cultivars, respectively. Fruit quality is good and these peach cultivars are suitable for commercial shipment, local markets and commercial u-pick, and are also suited for the home garden and landscape. Commercial peach plantings have been established in south Florida by growers that produce and market other subtropical and tropical tree fruit crops.