Question
Three years ago, I bought 2 dwarf red haven peach trees from Lowes or Home Depot or the like.  The first year, we had an exceptionally rough spring...lots of rain and high winds and cold weather.  When "spring" weather finally arrived, I planted them in the ground in full sun. No peaches the first year.  The second year, both trees weathered winter just fine as far as I could tell but the little tree had only a few blossoms which produced no fruit.  The larger tree had lots of blossoms and I got 3 dozen peaches...wonderful, delicious peaches.  We couldn't wait until this year to see what these trees would do.  Well, they did nothing...no blossoms, thus no peaches.  I read recently that they like a shot of nitrogen in the early spring before buds form.  Where do I find the nitrogen?  In lieu of that, I planted some green beans under both trees hoping that the nitrogen from the beans would help revive them next spring until I get the right type of nitrogen.  Is there anything else I can do.  The tree that produced the peaches last year is twice the size as the little tree.

Answer
Hi Pat, Many times this happens with all types of fruit trees, one year there will be a bumper crop, the next year nothing; there are numerous reasons this happens, and even experts on Peach behavior (which I am not) will throw their hands up and shake their heads. I don't know who told you Nitrogen would help, Nitrogen will encourage more leaf growth,not Fruit; There is one constant however, if there are blooms there must be insect activity to pollinate said blooms, if for some reason, inclement weather sets in during this period, and the bees do not visit, then the blooms could very well disperse without pollination having taken place, therefore no fruit. This is a rare occurrence, but is a feasible reason; They are young trees (3-4years old) and there are many experts that encourage removing all fruit, when pea size, during those formative years, so that the tree can put its energy into development. I always encourage growers to be more concerned with the health of a young tree, knowing that if it is healthy it will reward you for your efforts with plenty of fruit, but at the "proper" time. The tree that seems to be stunted is the one that concerns me, it may be the location in which it is planted; try moving it to another location, this often stimulates a break in the stagnancy. Bottom line Pat, just maintain  proper care (fertilizing, spraying for insect control and fungal prevention, and the occasional nutritional spray on the foliage itself) and Mother Nature will ensure results, eventually. Nick