The Bonanza prunus persica tree, or Bonanza patio peach tree, is a dwarf peach tree that can be planted in smaller spaces and is perfect for small gardens. Read our guide to learn about the growing conditions for a Bonanza dwarf peach tree and how to maintain it.
Bonanza Patio Peach Tree Overview
| Fruit size | Less than three inches in diameter |
|---|---|
| Fruit uses | Eat raw or in a recipe, like peach cobbler |
| Fruit color | Red and yellow blush skin, yellow flesh |
| Fruit texture and flavor | Fuzzy and juicy texture, sweet flavor |
| Region | South, West Coast |
| Hardiness zone | 6–9 |
| Growing season | Blooms in early spring; pick in July or August |
| Susceptibility | Peach leaf curl, mildew, brown rot, scab disease |
What Does a Bonanza Patio Peach Tree Look Like?
The Bonanza patio peach tree has green leaves and pink blossoms that turn into peaches when fertilized. The peaches have red and yellow fuzzy skin and flesh that’s white, juicy, and sweet. Typically, a dwarf Bonanza tree grows to be four to six feet tall and wide, while the peaches produced will likely be smaller than those on regular-sized trees with a diameter of less than three inches.
Growing Conditions for a Bonanza Patio Peach Tree
To help your Bonanza patio peach tree reach its full potential, consider the following growing conditions.
Sun and Soil
Peach trees require full sun for at least six hours a day. Since a Bonanza tree is usually potted, you can easily move it around your home if it’s not getting enough sunlight. Regarding soil, Bonanza patio peach trees like sandy, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the peach tree in the spring and fall with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. This balanced fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium, which are the three main nutrients to help a plant grow. During hot, summer months, spread a two-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree, being careful not to let it touch the trunk—this mulch will lock in moisture and keep the roots cool.
Watering
Water your peach tree whenever the soil feels dry. Hold a hose set on a low volume over the pot until water starts to leak out of the drainage holes. For newly planted trees, mature trees during fruit production season, and trees in wood or unglazed clay pots, you will need to water more frequently.
The watering schedule will also change depending on the weather. During hot, dry days, water the tree every day. During winter, water the peach tree once or twice a week.
Ideal Hardiness Zones
Bonanza patio peach trees grow best in hardiness zones 6–9, where the temperature doesn’t drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit. These zones contain mostly southern states and states along the West Coast.
How to Plant a Bonanza Patio Peach Tree
The Bonanza patio peach tree gets its name because it’s meant to be potted and placed on a patio. When you purchase this type of tree, you’ll be given a bare root tree, which is a tree that has been grown elsewhere, dug out while dormant, shaken free of excess soil, and stored in moist material.
Once you have your tree, here’s how you would plant it:
- Move the tree from its original pot to a pot with rich, sandy, potting soil.
- Make sure the root ball is two inches from the surface of the container.
- Water the tree until water comes out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
- Move the pot to a spot that will get direct sunlight.
The Bonanza patio peach tree won’t bear its first batch of dwarf peaches until three or four years of age. After that, the tree should produce peaches every year. Flowers will bloom in the spring and peaches will be ready to pick by July or August.
Tolerance and Susceptibility
Bonanza peach trees aren’t tolerant to any extreme weather conditions or diseases, and they are highly susceptible to peach leaf curl, mildew, brown rot and peach scab. Peach leaf curl is a fungal disease that causes the peach leaves to curl down and turn red or purple and causes a smaller crop yield and misshapen fruit.
Mildew attacks any part of the tree with a gray, powdery substance. Brown rot creates gray, fuzzy spots, and scab disease creates olive green or brown spots. All of these will attack any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruits, and branches.
Wildlife Threats
Common garden pests that can attack your fruit tree include moths, stink bugs, borers, aphids, nematodes, and caterpillars. Certain animals like deer, squirrels, and possums may also steal your peaches for food. To prevent wildlife from damaging your tree, pick up and dispose of fallen peaches, prune or remove fruit tree limbs, and cover the peach tree’s leaves with reusable plastic mesh bird netting about three weeks before the peaches are ripe.
Final Thoughts
If you want to grow a peach tree but don’t have the space for a regular-sized tree, the Bonanza patio peach tree may be the answer. Consider purchasing this type of peach tree from your local nursery or online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bonanza Patio Peach Trees
Can you eat peaches from a patio peach tree?
Yes. The fruit on a Bonanza patio peach tree are edible, however, the peaches produced may be smaller in size and less flavorful than the peaches on full-sized fruit trees.
Can I grow a Bonanza patio peach tree indoors?
Peach trees grow best outdoors in the warmth, but you can start your Bonanza peach tree indoors and move it outdoors once the fruit starts to grow.
Can you overwater a Bonanza patio peach tree?
Yes. In fact, overwatering is more common than underwatering. Too much water can decrease the tree’s health and leave it susceptible to certain brown rot which occurs in wet conditions.
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