Starfire Peach Trees

Fruit

• The fruit of Starfire peaches matures approximately 2 3/4 inches in diameter and larger. It is round-shaped and has a bright red color, covering 80 percent of its skin. Its flesh is firm and it ships well. It is a freestone type of peach with clear, yellow flesh.

Maturity Date

• Starfire peaches mature in mid to late summer, depending on the local climate. A peach is ripe when the side facing the sun turns red and the side facing the ground turns from light green to yellow. Fruits growing at the outside of the tree will ripen five to 10 days before those growing toward the center of the tree's canopy.

Site Conditions

• Peach trees require full sun exposure of at least eight hours per day, and preferably longer. Plant them in moist, fertile, well-drained, sandy loam to loamy soil. They will also grow fairly well in other types of soil as long as they have good drainage. Test the pH of the soil before planting and amend the soil based on the recommendations of the testing service prior to planting peaches. They prefer a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0.

Pests and Diseases

• Peaches are susceptible to peach leaf curl that is easily controlled with timely spraying. Spray with fungicide during blooming to control brown rot, and again several times as the peaches begin turning color. Control peach insect pests, such as oriental fruit moth and tarnished plant bug, by spraying with a fruit-tree insecticide beginning when the petals of the blossoms fall. Continue spraying at 10-day intervals until shortly before harvest.