What can be better than donuts and peaches in one? A donut peach tree of course. Donut peach trees grow peaches that are donut shaped. Peaches are so healthy and delicious and what better way to combine the two ideas. Donut peaches are flatter peaches that look somewhat squished. And the flavor is absolutely amazing!
Our parents have a small orchard that Faith and I grew up benefitting from. They have a variety of apple trees, pear trees and peach trees, one of which is a donut peach tree. The fruit from this tree is so delicious and we often even refer to the donut peaches as gourmet. They’re that good. We love them especially because they’re really sweet, the skins are so thin and they are smooth, unlike most peaches that are really fuzzy.
Donut peach tree peaches can be eaten right out of your hand. Another significant difference with this type of peach is that the peach pit can be extracted with a gentle nudging of your thumb. It just sits inside of the flesh and is not firmly attached like other varieties of peaches.
If you’re considering buying a donut peach tree so that you can enjoy fruit from your property, there are two main kinds of trees to consider, Donut Saturn Peach Tree and Donut Galaxy Peach Tree. Following are the benefits and details.
Donut Peach Tree Characteristics
Donut peach trees have unique characteristics. They produce yellow or white flesh peaches that are so wonderfully sweet and have a hint of an almond flavor. Eating them is like allowing them to melt in your mouth, because their flesh is so soft when ripe.
Donut peaches, also known as peento peaches, are considered a clingstone or semi-clingstone fruit, meaning that the pit of the peach can be easily removed by simply nudging it with your finger, once the peach has been cut open. The pit doesn’t attach to the flesh at all in some cases, or not much in other cases.
A neat thing about the donut peach tree is that they self-pollinate. In other words, you only need a single tree for the tree to bear fruit. You might choose to have more than one however, if you prefer to use it to increase your harvest.
Growing Donut Peach Trees
If you’re thinking of growing a donut peach tree, you’ll want to be sure that you have the right growing conditions where you live that will lend themselves to a successful harvest. Donut Peach Trees need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to produce fruit and they grow best in full sun.
The soil ph should be about 6.5, for best results. Newly planted trees require 3 to 5 gallons of water a week until their roots become established.
The tree needs to be grown in a place that goes below 45F degrees for part of the year. This is referred to as chill hours. The number of chill hours required per year depends on the variety of the tree.
How To Care For a Donut Peach Tree
Donut Peach Trees can be quite straightforward to care for. They should be pruned each year, fertilized and watered as needed. They should also be sprayed to keep them disease and pest free.
The unique flat shaped fruit occurs from a natural genetic mutation which causes the fruit to form in this way. They get their name from the donut shaped, sunken center.
Donut Peach Trees are considered hardy in agricultural growing zones 5 to 10.
Caring for Donut Peach Trees
Pruning your tree early spring or late winter, each year before the new growth forms and after the frost has passed, allows them to perform their best. Once the fruit begins to form it can sometimes become too dense or thick on the branches. The fruit should be thinned out to allow about 6 inches of growing room between each piece of fruit.
Donut peach trees are susceptible to diseases that create lesions on the leaves and fruit. They are also susceptible to bacterial spot. These can be avoided by spraying the tree mid-winter or as needed.
Can Donut Peaches Grow in Pots?
Yes, it is possible to grow donut peach trees in pots. To be successful, you will need to be sure that the same growing conditions and care maintenance can be met just as the tree were planted into the ground.
Container Types
Donut peach trees can grow up to 20 feet tall at maturity, and semi-dwarf versions grow 12 feet tall. So making sure you have an adequate container and space for a substantial size tree will be first and foremost.
The selected container will need to be sturdy and large enough to allow good root development over time. A three feet wide container is recommended, along with one that can provide good drainage. Commercial containers can be a good solution.
Because of the size aspect taken into consideration, this will result in a very heavy pot. If the pot needs to be moved at all, consider placing it on a pot with wheels or a dolly that can be used.
Cultivation
As far as planting the tree is concerned, keep in mind that it prefers well drained soil. A mixture of soils like sand, peat, bark, and perlite can provide good drainage. Water should be provided 2-3 times a week while the plant is getting established. Then, water during dry spells to help with continued growth.
Donut peach trees should be fertilized initially to help assist with good root growth.
Place the tree in full sun so that it receives at least 6 hours of sun a day.
Fruit Production
Fruit production begins with beautiful ornamental blooms in the spring. Donut Peach Trees are trees that self-fertilize. In other words, you only need one tree to have fruit. And after the second to fourth year, they are known to kick out a heavy fruit crop.
The fruit becomes slightly soft and so wonderfully aromatic as it ripens. At the time when the fruit is ripe, it is about 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter.
A vital aspect of getting fruit on your Donut Peach Tree are chill hours. If you tree does not receive 300 – 400 hours of chill time each year (below 45F degrees) in a climate that gets cool, then it will not bear fruit. If you don’t live in a climate that gets that cold for that long, the climate can be simulated by placing the tree in a basement or other cool place for a length of time.
Pruning
Pruning is done to help maintain the health of the tree and to keep the fruit production at a desirable level. Pruning also helps to keep the fruit manageable. After all, trying to reach fruit from a 20 foot tall tree can be quite a task. Semi-dwarf options offer a tree that is more like 12 feet tall.
Pruning should take place in late winter or early spring before the new growth forms and after the threat of frost has passed. The general idea of pruning should be to maintain a V-shaped tree. The v should be formed about 3 feet off the ground on the main trunk. From that v there should be 2 to 3 branches going up. The center of the tree should be mainly kept open to allow for good air circulation and to allow for the sun to get in.
What Is A Donut Peach Tree And Why Are They Everywhere Right Now?
A Donut Peach Tree is a tree that grows donut shaped peaches. The peaches are short, somewhat flat and are quite desirable. If you’re someone who avoids peaches in general because you don’t want to deal with the fuzz on their skin, then you might want to try these. I think they’re really delicious and they really don’t have much fuzz, if any. I think the skin is thinner too. And the skin is attached in such a manner that it can be peeled off quite easily.
Donut peach trees can be hard to obtain. They’re quite popular because of their delicious fruit that’s uniquely shaped and flavored. If you are looking for one and you find it, you’d better snatch it up because they go out of stock quickly.
How To Care for a Donut Peach Tree
Donut peach trees can be considered an heirloom variety. They need to have about 20-25 feet of space around the tree for proper growth.
Proper pruning techniques suggest cutting to a v shape in the tree to open the center and allow for air circulation and sunlight to get in.
The tree should be fertilized with fertilizer that is high in phosphorus. In a fertilizer that reads N-P-K, the P is the phosphorus element. Fertilize mature trees in March and May.
A Peach Tree Unlike Any Other
The Donut Peach Tree is a tree that produces fruit unlike any other. Donut peaches are unique and flavorful. They have become popular over recent years and are very desirable. Two main varieties are Saturn and Galaxy. In the following paragraphs, we will describe each of these in more detail.
Donut Saturn Peach Tree
The Donut Saturn Peach Tree is one of the specific varieties of trees that produces donut peaches.
Why Donut Saturn Peach Trees?
Donut Saturn Peach Trees produce delicious peaches, are known for their ornamental beauty alone as well as their hardiness. They are not as susceptible to pests and disease as other kinds of fruit trees.
The fruit from Saturn Donut Peaches tastes like a sweet sugar plum with a hint of almond flavor, and only a bit of acidity compared to regular peaches. They are easy to eat and their skin is thin with no fuzz like a nectarine. Their pit can be easily popped out with finger as it’s not significantly attached to the flesh.
Satisfying & Spectacular – Saturn Donut Peach Tree
As a recap, the main benefits of a Saturn Tree is its uniquely shaped fruit, less fuzzy skin, juicy sweet flavor, creamy white flesh, yellow skin and red blush. This tree is a self-fertilizer and requires 300 chill hours each year.
How To Use Saturn Donut Peach Tree In the Landscape
Saturn Donut Peach Trees are beautiful even solely for their ornamental use in landscapes. They have delicate pink flowers in the spring that are wonderful visually.
Donut Galaxy Peach Tree
Galaxy Peach Trees are another specific variety of trees that produce donut peaches.
Dazzling & Darling – Galaxy Donut Peach Tree
The Galaxy Donut Peach Tree is another variety of donut peaches. It is nicknamed bagel peach, and is known for its sweet flavor and crimson color. Its peaches are thin skinned, not too acidic and they don’t have much fuzz, if any. It is another highly desired variety.
How To Use Galaxy Donut Peach Tree In The Landscape
The Galaxy variety is another beautiful version ornamentally. It has a weeping form, produces beautiful blooms in the spring that are delicate in appearance, and provides good shade. It is another stunning tree.
Galaxy donut peaches are wonderfully sweet, perfectly firm, and deliciously juicy. They can be grilled or caramelized to bring out their wonderful sugar. They are perfect to simply eat from your hand sliced fresh, packed for lunch, or blended into smoothies and ice cream.
#ProPlantTips For Care
Donut Peach Trees produce a heavy crop faster than most peach tree or fruit tree varieties. They require full sun where they can get 6 hours a day. They also need regular water, especially when they’re just getting established. This tree self-pollinates and requires well drained soil.
Description
Donut peaches are the flat peaches that are wonderfully sweet, satisfyingly soft and taste great!
Characteristics
blooms pink in spring
fruit red blushed fruit with white or yellow flesh
fruit size medium to large
pollination self
harvest July to August
full sun, at least 6 hours a day
well drained soil
6-7 soil ph level
taste sweet firm texture
2-4 years to bear
Zone Compatibility
Donut Peach Trees require a chill time and grow best in agricultural zones 5-10.
Size & Spacing
Semi-dwarf trees grow 12-15’ tall x 12-15’ wide and should have 12-15’ spacing.
Regular trees grow 20’ tall and should have 20-25’ spacing.
Pollination
Donut Peach Trees are self-pollinating but you can pair with optional pollinating partners to increase crop.
Tools & Supplies
Having and using the right tools and supplies for pruning and maintaining your Donut Peach Tree can be the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest.
Planting & Care
Trees should be pruned in late winter to early spring, watered in well-drained soil, provided with adequate sunlight and fertilized twice a year after they’re established.
Zones: 5-10
Chill hours: 200 – 300
Bloom Time: Late Mid-Season
Harvest: July – August
Looks: Beautiful delicate blooms, white-fleshed fruit with sunken center (shaped like a donut).
Personality: Sweet, mild flavor described as almond-like by some.
Notes: Heavy producing trees. Pollination: Self-fruitful.
Peach Tree Pest Management
Donut Peach Trees are naturally not as susceptible to pests and disease as other fruit trees. To prevent pests and diseases, Use a dormant fruit tree spray in winter. You can also use an animal repellant to protect the harvest during the growing season. Sometimes netting the entire tree to create a barrier can be helpful against preventing pests.
When Are Donut (Flat) Peaches in Season?
Donut peaches begin blooming in the spring and form their fruit following that time frame, usually April or May depending on the geographic location and climate. The fruit typically becomes mature in July to early August. Once the fruit begins to soften and reaches a size of about 2.5 to 3 inches wide, you will know that the fruit is ready to be harvested.
Where Are They Grown?
It can often be challenging to find donut peaches for sale. California is where most are commercially grown and Georgia and South Carolina are where peach growers can typically be found.
White or Yellow Flesh?
Donut peaches can be found with either a white or yellow flesh, but most have a white flesh. Regardless of the color of flesh you will love the flavor!
Do They Have Fuzz?
Donut peaches have significantly less fuzz than a normal peach. In fact, I would qualify them as having little to none. So if you’re someone who avoids peaches because you don’t like the fuzz, trying a donut peach might change your mind.
Where to Buy
Donut peaches can be difficult to find. Local farmers’ markets are a good place to look and are so tasty if you do find them. Grocery stores such as Meijer, Kroger, Trader Joes are also good places to watch for them.
Top 10 Reasons to Try a Donut Peach
1. Donut peaches are so sweet. I think they’re one of the sweetest peaches I’ve ever eaten.
2. People love donut peaches because they don’t have much acidity.
3. Donut peaches are wonderful because they have little to no fuzz on their skin.
4. Donut peaches are desirable because their pit can be removed very easily.
5. We like donut peaches because their skin is so thin.
6. Donut peaches are good because they’re all around good for you.
7. Donut peaches are some of the best because their skin can be peeled off so easily.
8. Donut peaches are desirable because their small size lends themselves to be eaten easily out of hand.
9. Donut peaches are delicious because they practically melt in your mouth.
10.We love donut peaches!
Donut Peach Recipe:
Baked Donut Peaches
Gently wash and dry your peaches. Remove pits if desired. Place them on a baking dish and sprinkle with sugar and a hint of cinnamon. Bake at 350F degrees for 15-18 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
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