Some of these may prove firm enough for short-distance hauling. Scarlet Pearl and Summer Pearl have excellent fruit quality while the latter has a bacterial spot problem. However, practically all of these varieties are unproven in Alabama, and testing is needed before recommendations are made. In the past, most California selections have not proven reliable enough in the Southeast for profitable production. Freeze Problems and Cold Hardiness Lack of consistent annual crop production is the most important problem facing the peach industry in Alabama today.
Late freezes cause the greatest part of the problem.
Extremely low temperatures throughout the winter months cause freeze damage to fruit buds and may also cause tree damage. Winter fruit-bud damage to tender varieties such as Camden, June Gold, Loring, Goldcrest, Goldprince, Juneprince, O'Henry, and Topaz often leaves few fruit buds to produce full crops. Growers must be prepared to deal with both winter and spring freezes. As a first step, a peach grower should begin planting varieties with greater hardiness and cropping ability to decrease losses from freezes. After more than 18 years of variety evaluation through research, demonstration plantings, and grower experience across the state, we have identified a number of hardy peach varieties that will crop much more consistently.