Peaches take about 2 to 4 months from fruiting to ripening. After peach trees bloom in the spring (around March to April), early-maturing varieties ripen by late May to June, mid-maturing varieties ripen in June to early July, and late-maturing varieties ripen from July to the end of September. The development of peach fruits can be divided into three stages: the first rapid growth stage, the hard pit stage, and the second rapid growth stage. The duration of the ripening period mainly depends on how long the hard pit stage lasts.
1. Peach Fruit Ripening Time
After flowering and fruit setting, peach fruits begin to develop. It generally takes about 2 to 4 months for the fruits to ripen, with considerable variation depending on the variety’s ripening characteristics. Peach trees usually bloom in March to April. Early-maturing varieties typically ripen from late May to June, mid-maturing varieties ripen in June to early July, and late-maturing varieties ripen from July to the end of September. Peaches are usually harvested when they are 80-90% ripe.
2. Stages of Peach Fruit Development
- First Rapid Growth Stage
This period refers to the time from the petals falling off to the ovary starting to expand until the hard pit stage. The fruit begins to grow rapidly. This stage generally lasts for 36-40 days, ending around late May.
- Hard Pit Stage
During this stage, the size of the fruit changes little, but the pit grows to its normal size and hardness. There is significant variation in the length of this stage: early-maturing varieties take 10-15 days, mid-maturing varieties take 30-35 days, and late-maturing varieties require about 40-50 days.
- Second Rapid Growth Stage
In this stage, the fruit rapidly expands, the flesh becomes noticeably thicker, and the internal contents increase. This stage has the greatest impact on the final individual fruit weight. It generally lasts for 2-3 weeks, after which the fruit is fully ripe.
