Question
I live in Oklahoma.  We were able to harvest a fair crop of our fruit this year dispite the Brown Rot. How do I protect from this returning? 2. There are numerous shots from the branches. Should I prune the little shots from the branches? 3.  The trees are growing to 8 ft. or more.  Is this characteristic of "Dwarf"?
Thanks,
Lindell

Answer
BROWN ROT
Brown rot is one of the most common and serious diseases affecting peach fruits. It is caused by the fungus Monilinia fructicola, and can also infect flower blossoms and shoots. The disease begins at bloom. Infected flowers wilt and turn brown very quickly. Shoot infections (usually from flower infections) result in small (1 to 3 inches), gummy cankers, which provide the source of infection for fruit rot. Spores from infected flowers and cankers infect aborting fruit and healthy green fruit during long wetness periods. Infected, aborted fruit remain attached in the tree and provide an additional source of spores for more infections instead of dropping off in a normal fashion. Infections in apparently healthy green fruit remain inactive until the fruit begins to ripen.

Fruit rot starts with a small, round brown spot, which expands to eventually rot the entire fruit. Infected fruit turns into a mummy on the tree. The fungus survives the winter on fruit mummies (on the tree and on the ground) and twig cankers.

Prevention and Treatment: Collect and remove diseased fruit from the tree as it appears. Collect and dispose of any diseased fruit on the ground. In the fall remove all dried fruit mummies from the tree, since this is where the fungus survives the winter.

Fungicides are usually required if fruit ripening occurs during a period of warm, wet weather. It is important to begin spraying just before the fruit begins to ripen. Look for the first tinge of change in the yellow background color. Starting a spray program when rotten fruit is evident will result in poor disease control. Select a fungicide containing thiophanate methyl, captan, or azoxystrobin that is labeled for use on peaches. These fungicides are only effective if complete and thorough coverage of the tree(s) can be obtained. Always apply all fungicides according to directions on the label.

Yes, you need to prune your tree every year. Take out any dead wood. Thin the new branches if they look too thick. Look for "suckers" that are growing. These will not produce any fruit and take energy from the tree. You can tell them from the good branches because they are usually green and spindly. I am assuming the shoots that you are referring to are suckers. If they are, cut them at the base where they connect with the main branch. To keep the tree compact and stout, trim back the branches to the desired shape. Take care not to take too much off at a time, or you will sacrifice fruit as well.
If you haven't pruned your tree at all, it could grow to 8 feet, and still be considered dwarf. Usually if it is grown in a container, it won't get as big as the trees that are grown in the ground.