The Flat Wonderful Peach is a distinctive and sought-after fruit variety, recognized for its unusual flattened shape, often compared to a donut or UFO. Beyond its unique appearance, it is also celebrated for its exceptional taste, making it a favored choice among fruit enthusiasts.
Unique Characteristics of the Flat Wonderful Peach
The Flat Wonderful Peach is known for its signature flattened, or “donut,” shape, which distinguishes it from traditional round peaches. These fruits typically grow to a medium-to-large size, presenting an attractive appearance. The skin often displays a prominent red blush over a yellow background, adding to its visual appeal. The tree itself is ornamental, showcasing pink blooms in spring and brilliant maroon foliage that transitions to green as the season progresses.
The flavor profile of the Flat Wonderful Peach is notably sweet and rich, embodying the taste of summer. It offers a pleasingly dense and firm texture that resists becoming mushy, even when fully ripe. This variety is praised for its juiciness and relatively low acidity, making it an excellent eating peach. While it is a clingstone peach, its unique flattened shape makes it easy to process around the pit, which is an advantage for various culinary applications.
Cultivating Flat Wonderful Peach Trees
Cultivating Flat Wonderful Peach trees requires a site with full sun exposure, ideally six to eight hours daily. The soil should be well-drained, rich in organic matter, and preferably a sandy loam with a slightly acidic pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. Avoiding locations with heavy clay or poor drainage is important, as soggy soil can negatively affect tree health.
Planting is best done in early spring, especially for bare root trees, allowing ample time for establishment. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and as deep as the container, ensuring the graft union sits about two inches above the soil line. After placing the tree, gently tamp the soil to remove air pockets and water thoroughly to help settle the roots. Standard trees can reach 15-20 feet tall and should be spaced around 18-24 feet apart, while smaller “Reachables” varieties mature at 6-8 feet and require less space.
Consistent watering is important, especially during dry periods and fruit development. Newly planted trees need frequent watering, perhaps daily to weekly for their first year, to ensure proper establishment. Established trees typically require about one inch of water per week, or when the top three inches of soil feel dry. Deep watering is more effective than frequent shallow watering, as it encourages deeper root growth. Applying mulch around the tree base helps retain soil moisture and suppresses weeds.
Fertilization should begin in early spring after planting, with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied around the tree’s drip line. Mature trees benefit from annual fertilization in early spring, before blooming, to support vigorous growth and fruit production. Avoid fertilizing after mid-summer (typically by July 1st) to prevent new growth susceptible to winter damage. Regular pruning, performed in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant, is essential for maintaining an open center or vase shape, which promotes air circulation and light penetration throughout the canopy. This practice helps manage tree size and encourages strong, fruit-bearing wood.
Harvesting and Culinary Uses
Flat Wonderful Peaches are typically ready for harvest in late July, though the season can extend from late June through August depending on the climate. Key indicators of ripeness include a change in the fruit’s ground color from green to a full yellow. While a red blush is often present, it is not always a reliable sign of ripeness.
A ripe peach will soften slightly when gently squeezed and detach easily from the branch with a gentle twist. A sweet, fragrant aroma is another good indicator that the fruit is ready for picking. Handle peaches gently during harvesting to avoid bruising.
For storage, ripe Flat Wonderful Peaches are best kept at room temperature on a flat, non-porous surface. If they need to ripen further, placing them in a loosely closed paper bag can accelerate the process. Once ripe, they can be refrigerated for three to five days in a breathable container or loosely sealed bag to extend their freshness. Serving peaches at room temperature allows their full flavor. For longer preservation, freezing sliced peaches is an effective method.
The sweetness and firm texture of the Flat Wonderful Peach make it excellent for fresh eating. Its versatility extends to baking in pies, tarts, and crumbles, or for canning and making preserves. The fruit maintains its texture well during cooking, making it suitable for various cooked dishes.