Effect of late summer pruning and cheesecloth shades on shoot regeneration, flower bud formation and blooming time of peach trees

Effects of late summer pruning and cheesecloth shade on shoot regeneration, flower bud formation and blooming time of 'Hikawahakuho' peach trees grafted on wild form vigorous rootstocks were examined by using potted one-year-old trees. Summer pruning was performed on September 1 and the trees were placed under the black and white cheesecloth shade. The number of regenerated shoots was higher in summer-pruned (SP) alone trees than SP+black and white cheesecloth shaded trees. However, the growth of regenerated shoots and total shoot length were greatest in SP+black cheesecloth shaded trees. Chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was also greatest in regenerated leaves of SP+black cheesecloth shaded trees. The percent of flower buds was lower in SP trees than non-SP trees. Moreover, the greater the shading degree, the less the percentage of flower buds. No flower bud was produced in the regenerated shoots. Leaf drop was earlier in non-SP trees. Shading tended to delay flowering time the following spring.