Question
I live in Southern Arizona, South of Tucson and have just purchased and planted in a large pot a Bonanza Peach Tree. I made sure the soil is very moist. Do I need to feed it?  The potting soil I used has no food in it. I understand that it may drop some leaves.  Is there any way to avoid this.  It has three unripe peaches on it right now? Should I pick them so as to give more adjustment to the plant?

Answer
Hi Nancy, Take the peaches off first thing, this youngster needs to put all its energy into development at this stage, not trying to mature existing fruit; line the bottom of your container (hopefully it is about a 30 inch diameter pot,) with about 2 inches of gravel or drainage medium of some type, so that the roots won't ever be sitting in standing moisture. Don't be concerned with fertilizing it right now, it needs to adapt to its new container and when new growth begins (and yes it will probably stress a little when you transplant it and lose some leaves) in a month or so, you can consider giving it a cup of a well balanced granular (I use Citrus fertilizer on mine, and it is loaded with fruit...) in about 3 months, then again in another 3 months. The first year let it get morning sun and afternoon shade, in about a year it will be able to handle the afternoon sun, but it needs to adapt. Nick