Peach 'Tourist'

Персик Турист (Рrunus persica Tourist) – a high-yielding peach cultivar of late ripening. Bred at the Nikitsky Botanical Garden by I.N. Ryabov and Z.F. Guf from seedlings obtained from seeds of an unknown cultivar introduced from the USA.

It is a vigorous tree with a broad reverse-pyramidal crown. Bud formation is moderate. Flowers are bell-shaped, above average in size, pink.

Fruits large (160 g), broadly ovate, almost round, irregular in shape. Ground color white with a creamy tint; overcolor bright carmine, diffuse and appearing as streaks on up to 60% of the surface. Flesh white, tender and non-fibrous, of dense texture, medium juiciness, very aromatic, pleasant flavor. Ripening time is late, in the first ten days of September. Tasting score is high. Transportability is good; under normal conditions they keep 6-8 days. Begins fruiting already in the 2nd year; yield by the 6th year reaches 30-35 kg, in full-bearing period 90-100 kg.

Hardiness zone: 5-8 (-23°C). Sensitive to spring frosts.

Location: requires sunny and wind-protected sites. During fruit set moderate watering is recommended. Prefers loamy or sandy loam soils. Drought tolerance is low, heat resistance below average.

Planting and care: planting is recommended in spring, but can be done in autumn (in that case mulching the root circle and earthing up to a height of 20-30 cm is necessary). The planting hole should be at least 0.7x0.7 m, with spacing 4x4 m. 10 kg of well-rotted manure and 150 g of superphosphate are mixed with the soil and the seedling with spread roots is backfilled. The root circle should be compacted to the edges, watered well (4-5 buckets) and mulched with a layer of compost to a depth of 8-10 cm.

Pruning: requires moderate watering and formative pruning. For improved yield the improved vase (open-center) pruning method is used. After planting the seedling all lateral branches should be removed. 3-4 scaffold branches are left spaced 10-20 cm from each other. The leader should be cut at the base of the upper lateral branch. In the second year, shorten first-order branches if they are longer than 50 cm or if they change their growth direction. In subsequent years pruning should be aimed at fruiting. Rejuvenation pruning is carried out from bud swell to the beginning of flowering. If frost damage occurs, pruning is done after water sprouts appear on the trunks and branches. The cultivar requires yield regulation.

Diseases and pests: susceptible to leaf curl, but resistant to powdery mildew. Use: the cultivar is suitable not only for private but also for commercial cultivation. Resistant to frost and cold.

Use: the cultivar is suitable not only for private but also for commercial cultivation. Resistant to frost and cold.