The doughnut peach tree offers a unique and delightful fruit, distinguished by its flattened, disk-like shape, often resembling a doughnut or a flying saucer. Beyond its charming form, the fruit is celebrated for its remarkably sweet flavor and appealing aroma, making it a favored choice for many home gardeners.
Characteristics and Varieties
Doughnut peaches possess a unique physical profile, typically measuring around 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter with a characteristic dimple at each end. Unlike many common peaches, their skin has less fuzz, making them easier to consume without peeling, and their small pit often separates easily from the flesh. While originally white-fleshed, varieties can also feature yellow flesh.
The flavor profile of doughnut peaches is notably sweet with low acidity, with hints of almond and floral notes. Popular varieties include ‘Saturn’, known for its white flesh, and ‘Galaxy’, a larger white-fleshed type that is often semi-clingstone. Other names, such as ‘Saucer’, ‘Flat Wonderful’, and ‘Sweet Bagel’, also refer to these flat peaches, with some being freestone and others clingstone.
Planting and Growing Conditions
Establishing a doughnut peach tree begins with careful site selection. These trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Good air circulation around the tree is also beneficial, and selecting a location that avoids frost pockets can protect early blooms. Optimal growth occurs in well-draining loam or sandy loam soils, which prevent waterlogging and reduce the risk of root issues.
Soil pH is another important factor, with peach trees preferring a slightly acidic range between 6.0 and 6.8. Prior to planting, a soil test can help determine if amendments like compost are needed to improve drainage and nutrient content. If the pH is outside the ideal range, sulfur can lower it, while lime can increase it, with amendments worked into the soil several inches deep.
When planting, dig a hole that is three times the width of the root ball but only as deep as the root ball itself. After placing the tree, backfill the hole and create a water basin around the base to help retain moisture.
Consistent watering is important, particularly for young trees, which may need three to five gallons per week. Established trees require about one inch of water weekly during the growing season. Deep, less frequent watering is more effective. A layer of mulch, such as wood chips or compost, around the tree can help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Doughnut peach trees are self-fertile, meaning a single tree can produce fruit. Most varieties require 200 to 400 chill hours during winter dormancy.
Pruning for Health and Yield
Pruning is an ongoing practice that contributes to the health and productivity of a doughnut peach tree by enhancing air circulation and sunlight penetration. Proper pruning encourages better fruit production, maintains the tree’s vigor, and helps manage its size and shape, often favoring an open vase or central leader structure.
Dormant pruning, performed in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, is important for shaping the tree and removing any dead or diseased wood. During this time, vigorous upright shoots, known as watersprouts, and branches with narrow crotch angles should be removed to promote a strong scaffold structure. Thinning out fruiting shoots to a spacing of about four to six inches apart supports larger, higher-quality fruit.
Summer pruning, done in May and again in July, controls the tree’s size and thins out excess growth. It involves removing low-growing shoots on the trunk and pinching back upright shoots to encourage outward-growing branches. Performing summer pruning by mid-July is important for promoting the development of flower buds for the following season. When making cuts, aim about a quarter-inch above an outward-pointing bud to encourage new growth in the desired direction.
Harvesting and Enjoying Doughnut Peaches
Determining when a doughnut peach is ripe involves observing several indicators. The fruit’s color should transition from green to a yellow or orange hue with a characteristic red blush. A gentle squeeze should reveal a slight softness or “give,” indicating ripeness without being mushy. A ripe doughnut peach releases a strong, sweet, rose-like aroma and separates easily from the branch with a gentle lift.
Harvesting doughnut peaches requires a delicate touch to prevent bruising. Once picked, peaches not yet fully ripe can be left at room temperature to continue ripening. For extended freshness, ripe peaches can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days, though best enjoyed at room temperature for full flavor.
Doughnut peaches are versatile. Their low-acid, sweet flavor makes them perfect for fresh eating, often with the skin on due to its minimal fuzz. They are also excellent in culinary applications, adding sweetness to desserts like cobblers and pies, or as a refreshing addition to salads and smoothies. Grilling can further enhance their natural sugars and flavors.