Fan trained peach

[flimbin]

I planted a peach against a south facing wall in Jan with the intention of growing it as a fan. In spring as advised in a book on pruning, I cut out all but 2 branches either side of the main stem. The book suggested that growth would occur in both sides and could be regulated each side by raising and lowering canes tied to the braches. This could be done to keep the 2 sides in balance. However, in spite of this, only the RHS has grown with many side braches coming off it. The LHS has only grown at the tip and only about 4 inches! What should I do? I did think it may be possible to set the RHS to vertical and start again with 2 branches off this, but I dont know and the book doesnt tell me.

[TPeers]

So if I understand you correctly you left the central leader and it only produced shoots on the right hand side, leaving you with the original two branches on each side and a minor problem!

The only advice I can suggest is what one does with an apple in this sort of situation. Keep the two lowest right hand side shoots, cutting all growth above the second shoot. Train the lower shoot as a fan branch and the second/upper shoot as the new leader and hope for a better, more balanced bud break next year.

Adam might know more........

[Autumn]

Originally Posted by flimbin

I planted a peach against a south facing wall in Jan with the intention of growing it as a fan. In spring as advised in a book on pruning, I cut out all but 2 branches either side of the main stem. The book suggested that growth would occur in both sides and could be regulated each side by raising and lowering canes tied to the braches. This could be done to keep the 2 sides in balance. However, in spite of this, only the RHS has grown with many side braches coming off it. The LHS has only grown at the tip and only about 4 inches! What should I do? I did think it may be possible to set the RHS to vertical and start again with 2 branches off this, but I dont know and the book doesnt tell me.

I've just ordered my Peach tree too (a dwarf variety) and read that they have a better chance grown as fan-trained tree against a south facing wall. I need to be thinking about how I'm going to prune it to a shape that is condusive to decent crops, although I would have ideally preferred an open centre shape.

This is probably too basic for you but it shows you pruning in details although I would have thought your book is even more detailed.
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_...er_2_peach.asp

This link might be interesting of someone trying to grow Peach in Midlands.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms/peach6.html

If you can afford to house the tree in a big greenhouse, you probably don't need to worry much about fan shape. Then again, there are people who say that those leaning against a brick wall have done better than a greenhouse one. Hope to hear in future how you get on.