Aboutnick mccann Expertise I can give concise answers on growing plants in containers instead of the ground, why and how to plant them and how to maintain them.
Experience Master Gardner in Charlotte County Florida,,with 10 years experience.
Organizations Master Gardner Association of Charlotte County, Florida
Education/Credentials Associates Degree
Past/Present Clients I am currently also an expert in the Tropical Plant dept.
Last year I purchased dwarf peach tree, not sure of the variety. I live in Nanaimo B.C. Canada, hardy zone 7b. I am growing the tree in a large pot on my sun deck. I have it growing in top soil. Last summer the tree grew very well, produced a lot of new grow and new leaves. During the winter I was able to move it under the house eve to provide some winter protection. This spring I applied some fruit stick fertilizer and moved it out so the tree could get full sun. This spring it bloomed profusely, but had very few new leaves on it. I noticed that some of the branches had turned black and some had died over winter. The blackening condition seemed to progress as summer (now) approached. The tree produced quite a lot of fruit of which I removed most, only left 3 peaches on. There is very little new grown on it and it is only producing a few leaves. These new leaves are a light green colour and are turning brown and falling off. Any new leaves are small and only a few are being produced, as most of the branches are black or have died. Please see picture, attached. Do you have any idea what might be the problem and how I might correct the condition? I greatly appreciate any advice you may have.
Thank you
Answer Hi Ron, it seems to be stressed, and rightly so, overwintering it under the eves most assuredly was the reason, for it isn't meant to go through a Canadian Winter, and I am surprised it survived at all. I would change out that Top Soil and replace it with a light Potting Soil, you also need to apply a Copper Fungicide to it and keep it properly irrigated in the sunniest location you have; then fertilize it with a granular fertilizer for Fruit trees, not a spike, the spikes only provide fertilizer to the root sections they come into contact with, whereas the granular is taken up by all the roots. I am not sure whether this little fella is going to make it or not through to this Winter, but if it does, it needs to be brought inside, and placed near a Sunny window, and even then it may not make it, for again, it is a warm weather Fruit which can handle a mild Winter, but not a severe one. Nick
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