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Peach Favorite Morettini is a common variety of Italian origin. It is distinguished by early ripening, universal application and disease resistance.
Breeding history of the variety
The variety was bred in Italy, and it was appointed in honor of its creator - A. Morettini. Parental forms - Fertili Morrettini and Gela di Firenze. In 1987, information about the variety appeared in the state register.
Description Peach Favorite Morettini
The tree is fast-growing and vigorous, the crown is spreading, round in shape. Leaves are green, elongated, boat-shaped. Flowering occurs in the mid-early period - the second half of April. The flowers are bell-shaped, medium-sized, dark pink in color. The variety is suitable for growing in the North Caucasus and other warm regions.
Description of Favorit peach fruits:
- medium sizes;
- weight 110-120 g;
- rounded shape;
- a small tubercle at the apex;
- the skin is of medium density, it is removed without problems;
- gentle pubescence;
- superficial abdominal suture;
- the main color is yellow;
- 60% of the skin is covered with reddish blurred spots;
- beige juicy pulp;
- the stone leaves the pulp with difficulty.
Characteristics of the variety
When choosing a peach, its important characteristics are taken into account: resistance to drought and cold weather, the need for a pollinator, yield and fruiting timing.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The Morettini variety is characterized by medium drought resistance. The tree is watered according to the standard scheme. Frost resistance is below average. Peach can withstand cold snaps down to -15 ° C. Often shoots located above the snow cover freeze near the tree.
Does the variety need pollinators
The Morettini peach is self-fertile. The formation of ovaries occurs without a pollinator. Suitable for pollination of other early blooming varieties. The presence of a pollinator has a positive effect on productivity. The optimal distance between trees is 3 m. To attract bees and other insects, honey plants are planted in the tree trunk circle. The formation of ovaries is also influenced by weather conditions: stable warm weather, no frost, heavy rains and heat.
Productivity and fruiting
According to the description, the Morettini peach ripens in the early stages - at the end of June until the end of July. The timing of fruiting depends on climatic conditions: the number of sunny days, precipitation, average daily temperature. The variety is considered early-growing. The beginning of fruiting occurs at 2–3 years of age.
The yield of the variety is 25–35 kg per tree, the maximum performance is 50 kg. The peak of productivity falls on the age of 5-10 years. Peach tastes high. The fruits do not crumble and hang on the branches for a long time after ripening. In terms of taste and marketability, Morettini is considered one of the best peach varieties with yellow flesh.
Scope of the fruit
Fruits for universal use. They are used fresh, including for juice. Favorite Morettini is stored at room temperature for 3-4 days, suitable for transportation.
Disease and pest resistance
According to reviews, the Favorite Morettini peach has an average immunity to diseases and pests. The variety is prone to curliness and gray rot. The tree needs regular treatments.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Peach Favorite Morettini has a number of advantages:
- early fruiting;
- sweet refined taste;
- high productivity;
- quality and presentation of fruits.
The main disadvantages of the Morettini variety:
- winter hardiness is below average;
- flowers are subject to recurrent frosts.
Peach planting rules
The yield and growth of a peach largely depends on adherence to the planting rules. For the culture, they choose the best place, the timing of work, prepare a seedling and a planting pit.
Recommended timing
The Favorite Morettini peach variety is planted in the fall, when leaf fall ends. The seedling will have time to take root 3 weeks before the cold snap. If early frosts are expected, work is postponed until spring. The tree is buried on the site, insulated with humus and spruce branches. When the snow cover melts and the soil warms up, the peach is planted in a permanent place. Work is carried out before the leaves bloom.
Choosing the right place
Peach prefers sunny areas, sheltered from the wind. It is best to choose a place for the seedling located on level ground, on a hill or on a small slope. In the lowlands, where moisture and cold air accumulate, culture develops slowly. The seedling is removed from the apple, cherry, plum and other fruit trees at least 3 m.
Loamy or sandy loam soils are best suited for growing peaches, which increase the cold resistance of the tree. In heavy clay soil, the culture often freezes and develops more slowly.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Saplings 1–2 years old, 1–1.5 m high, take root best of all. The trunk diameter is 20 mm. The seedling should have a grown guide and some side branches. The plant is inspected for cracks in the bark, mold, lichen, rotten areas and other similar defects. Before planting, the peach roots are cut and the trunk is shortened to a height of 0.9 m. All leaves are cut off, and the shoots are reduced by 1/3 of the length. If the work is carried out in the fall, the above-ground part is not touched. Crown pruning is transferred to spring.
Landing algorithm
Regardless of the chosen planting time, a pit for a peach is prepared in advance. The soil shrinks within 3 weeks, which can seriously damage the seedling. If the tree is planned to be planted in the spring, then in the fall they dig a pit and fill it with a substrate.
The order of planting varieties Favorit Morettini:
- A hole with a diameter of 80 cm is dug on the site to a depth of 70 cm.
- Then they dig in a support made of wood or metal.
- To fill the pit, a substrate is prepared: black soil, 5 kg of compost, 180 g of wood ash, 60 g of superphosphate, 60 g of potassium salt.
- Half of the soil mixture is poured into a pit, where 2 buckets of water are also poured.
- After shrinkage of the pit, a small hill is formed from fertile soil.
- A seedling is placed on the hill. Its roots are covered with black soil.
- The soil is compacted, and a bucket of water is poured under the peach.
Peach follow-up care
Peach variety Favorite is watered 3-4 times during the season: during flowering, at the beginning of fruiting, 3 weeks before harvest and in the fall in preparation for winter. 2-4 buckets of warm, settled water are poured under the tree.
In early spring, the Favorite variety is fed with a solution of urea or mullein. Nitrogen fertilization promotes the growth of shoots and leaves. When the fruits ripen, they switch to foliar treatments. 100 g of superphosphate, 60 g of ammonium sulfate and 30 g of calcium chloride are added to 10 liters of water. The resulting planting solution is sprayed in the evening or in cloudy weather.
Peach is a thermophilic culture, therefore it needs shelter for the winter.In the fall, 2 buckets of water are poured under the tree, then peat or humus is poured. A frame is placed over young trees and agrofibre is attached to it. To protect the bark from rodents, a mesh or metal pipe casing is installed.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
To avoid fungal infections, the peach is treated with Horus, copper oxychloride, Bordeaux liquid. Insecticides Iskra and Actellik help to get rid of insects. Chemical treatments are stopped 20 days before harvesting. A simple agricultural technique helps to avoid the spread of diseases and insects: digging up the soil in the fall, cleaning cracks in the bark, whitewashing the trunk, cleaning and burning fallen leaves.
Conclusion
Peach Favorit Morettini is a well-known variety with good taste. It is distinguished by high productivity and early fruiting. A sunny place is chosen for planting peaches, and during the season they provide constant care.