Prunus persica Charles Ingouf - Peach Tree

Prunus persica Charles Ingouf is an old variety with semi-early flowering, and it is very productive. It is a vigorous, hardy, and self-fertile variety, quite sensitive to peach leaf curl. It abundantly produces large-sized fruits, rounded in shape, with a slightly fuzzy, deep red skin. Its white flesh is fine, melting, juicy, very sweet, and aromatic. Harvesting takes place from mid-July to early August, and the fruits are consumed as they ripen. Susceptible to spring frosts, this peach prefers a warm, sunny, and sheltered exposure. It adapts well to ordinary, well-drained, deep, and rich soil, but not to lime-rich or waterlogged soil.

Prunus persica (Peach tree) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, originating from China in the Sichuan and Guizhou regions around 500 BC. It appeared in Europe in the 6th century and experienced significant development in the 19th century. From then on, many selections aimed at improving the fruit's taste qualities took place.

The Charles Ingouf variety comes from a seedling and was obtained in Troyes, France by the Baltet Nurseries in 1896. It is named after the nursery's accountant at the time. It is a small fruit tree with a fairly upright structure that can reach a height of 3 to 4 metres (10 to 13 feet), with a diameter of about 3 metres (10 feet). Its habit is well-suited to low forms (goblet shape) or espaliers. Its foliage consists of lanceolate leaves, 8 to 15cm (3 to 6in) long and 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) wide, with serrated and wavy edges, bright green, turning yellow-orange in autumn before falling. The leaves have a slight almond scent. In early April the pink flowers, 2 to 3cm (1in) in diameter, appear solitarily before the leaves on the previous year's branches. They can be destroyed by frost from -2 to -3°C. It is remarkably decorative flowering in spring, particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. It is hardy down to -15°C, but it is sensitive to late spring frosts, which damage its flowers and affect fruiting. Self-fertile variety that does not require other peach trees nearby for pollination.

Prunus persica Charles Ingouf is a very fertile variety, with rapid fruiting. The fruit harvest begins in mid-July and extends until early August as the fruits ripen. Peaches being very delicate, they are harvested by hand with care. The fruits are consumed as soon as they are harvested. They are large-sized peaches, weighing between 200 and 280 grams, with a slightly fuzzy, deep red skin. The white flesh is fine, melting, juicy, very sweet, and aromatic. Tasty and delicious, peaches can be eaten fresh as soon as they are picked. They are ideal for making compotes, ice creams, sorbets, tarts, pastries, fruit salads, or as an accompaniment to savoury dishes with meat (duck, rabbit, chicken, etc.) or fish (salmon, cod, etc.). They are also perfect for making juice or preserved in syrup.

Rich in water, peaches are refreshing and thirst-quenching. They are very fleshy, providing a great sense of satiety. Low in calories, they are rich in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, with a significant iron content. With its high content of vitamins C and B, antioxidants, and fibre, peaches are a health asset. They are invigorating, energising, and rehydrating. The fruits can be stored for a week in a cool place, protected from light.

In the Peach and Nectarine category, Prunus persica Charles Ingouf is a variety known for the excellent taste of its fruits. It prefers a sunny exposure, sheltered from drafts and cold winds. A southeast or southwest exposure is ideal. In regions that frequently experience late spring frosts, the peach tree can be trained against a south-facing wall. Very popular for its fruit, the peach tree finds its place in the garden for the pleasure of young and old alike. With a wide range of varieties available, it is easy to find the one that best suits your preferences.