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Contender Peach Tree

Prunus persica 'Contender'

4 reviews

Fruit Trees
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product
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Contender Peach Tree

Prunus persica 'Contender'

4 reviews

Fruit Trees
  • Self-pollinating, no need for a second tree for fruit production
  • Cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°F
  • Produces delicious, sweet peaches in late summer
  • Ships in 3 to 7 days
  • Free Shipping Over $150
  • Plant Arrival Guarantee
  • In Stock

$138.00

$151.8

10% Off

3.5 Gallon

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Why Contender Peach Tree?

Contender Peach Tree is a popular choice for fruit growers due to its hardiness and ability to withstand cold winters, making it suitable for growing in harsher climates. It produces large, juicy fruit with a sweet flavor and is resistant to common fungal diseases that affect peach trees. The tree blooms in early spring, producing beautiful pink flowers before the fruit begins to form.

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Sunlight

Contender Peach Tree requires full sun exposure, which means it needs a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive and bear fruit.

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Watering

Contender Peach Trees require regular watering, especially during hot and dry periods. They should be watered deeply, ensuring that the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged. It is important to provide enough water to the tree to sustain healthy g

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Fertilizing

The fertilizer requirement for a Contender Peach Tree is typically a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 14-14-14. It is recommended to apply the fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

The Contender Peach Tree is a distinguished variety of peach trees: one of the few peach varieties that could tolerate cold weather below zero.

It's cold hardy and tolerates late spring frosts enough to be grown comfortably in the northern regions. It's grown best in growing zones 4 to 8.

The contender peach tree produces juicy, sweet peaches with a beautiful red blush and sweet, yellow flesh.

It is a self-fertile tree, ensuring you get a bountiful harvest every year. The tree needs full sun and well-drained soil. It doesn't only produce some of the sweetest peaches you're sure to have but is also known for its ornamental, pink blooms.

The contender peach tree is valued for its hardiness and disease resistance.

The peach pit of contender peaches is slightly poisonous if crushed and consumed, but the contender peaches themselves can be eaten and enjoyed fully and safely.

As for the tree itself, its mature height can reach 15 feet with a medium growth rate and might require some pruning in early spring for large crops and best blooms.

This self-pollinating variety won't require much from you and will give you the loveliest fruit while being a great-looking tree to adorn your garden.

Contender peach trees can be susceptible to some of the diseases that target other peach varieties, like Peach Leaf Curl, but from shrubhub, you're sure to get the healthiest and strongest contender peach tree. And with proper care, this tree can remain healthy and beautiful and provide delicious peaches for many years!

 

Plant Information:

Botanical Name: Prunus persica 'Contender'
USDA Zones: 5-8
Water: Regular & Moderate
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Needs: Rich Well-Drained
Mature Height: 15 - 20 feet
Mature Spread: 8 - 10 feet
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Pollination Info

Pollination Info for Contender Peach Tree

The Contender Peach Tree (Prunus persica 'Contender') is a self-fertile tree, which means that it does not require a pollinator tree to produce fruit. However, it can benefit from cross-pollination, which can increase the yield and improve the quality of the fruit.

For optimal cross-pollination, it is recommended to plant another peach tree nearby. This can be any other self-fertile peach variety, such as Redhaven, Elberta, or Encore. Alternatively, a compatible nectarine or plum tree can also serve as a pollinator.

Pollinators should be planted within 50-100 feet of the Contender Peach Tree, and they should bloom around the same time. This can ensure that bees, butterflies, and other pollinators can easily transfer pollen from flower to flower.

In addition, it is important to avoid using pesticides and insecticides during the bloom period, as this can harm the pollinators and reduce the chances of successful pollination.

By providing proper pollination and care, the Contender Peach Tree can produce delicious, juicy fruit that is perfect for eating fresh or preserving.

FAQ

Contender Peach Tree (Prunus persica 'Contender') FAQ

General Information

Q: What is a Contender Peach Tree?

A: Contender Peach Tree (Prunus persica 'Contender') is a fruit tree variety that produces juicy, freestone peaches with white flesh and a red-blushed skin.

Q: How tall does a Contender Peach Tree grow?

A: A mature Contender Peach Tree can grow up to 12 to 15 feet tall, while dwarf varieties grow to about 6 to 8 feet tall.

Q: What is the hardiness zone for a Contender Peach Tree?

A: Contender Peach Tree is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, which means it can tolerate winter temperatures as cold as -20°F to -15°F.

Q: How long does it take for a Contender Peach Tree to produce fruit?

A: A Contender Peach Tree will typically start to produce fruit in its second or third year after planting, and will reach full fruit production within 3 to 5 years.

Care and Maintenance

Q: How much sun does a Contender Peach Tree need?

A: A Contender Peach Tree needs at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day to produce fruit.

Q: What type of soil is best for a Contender Peach Tree?

A: Contender Peach Tree grows best in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Q: How often should I water my Contender Peach Tree?

A: Water your Contender Peach Tree regularly, especially during the first few years after planting. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Established trees generally need about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or manual watering.

Q: When is the best time to fertilize a Contender Peach Tree?

A: You should fertilize your Contender Peach Tree in the spring before new growth begins and again in the fall after the leaves have fallen. Use a balanced fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10 or 12-12-12. Do not fertilize during the growing season.

Q: How do I prune a Contender Peach Tree?

A: Prune your Contender Peach Tree in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased wood, and thin out any crowded or crossing branches. Shape the tree as desired, but avoid cutting off more than 25% of the tree's overall canopy in a single year.

Pest and Disease Control

Q: What pests can affect a Contender Peach Tree?

A: Common pests that can affect a Contender Peach Tree include aphids, spider mites, peach tree borers, and Japanese beetles.

Q: What diseases can affect a Contender Peach Tree?

A: Common diseases that can affect a Contender Peach Tree include peach leaf curl, bacterial canker, and brown rot.

Q: How do I prevent pest and disease problems in my Contender Peach Tree?

A: Keep your Contender Peach Tree healthy by providing proper care and maintenance, including adequate water, fertilizer, and pruning. Use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils to control pests, and fungicides to control diseases. Remove any infected or diseased plant material and dispose of it properly to prevent the spread of disease.

Planting & Care

Planting & Care for Contender Peach Tree (Prunus persica 'Contender')

Planting

  • Choose a planting location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil.
  • Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball and just as deep.
  • Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down lightly to remove any air pockets.
  • Water thoroughly and add a layer of mulch around the base of the tree.
  • Water regularly, especially during periods of drought.

Care

  • Prune the tree in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or diseased wood.
  • Thin the peach tree in summer to improve the size and quality of the fruit.
  • Fertilize the tree with a balanced fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins.
  • Watch for signs of pests and disease, such as peach tree borers, leaf curl, and brown rot.
  • Harvest the peaches when they are fully ripe but still firm.

Check Out These Verified Customer Reviews:

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 4 reviews

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Dean J.

I absolutely love my Contender Peach Tree! It arrived in perfect condition and is thriving in my garden. The website was user-friendly, and the tree was shipped quickly. Excellent customer service!

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Tammy J.

Website was easy to navigate.

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Teresa A.

Great quality fruit production.

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