Steppe

The 'Steppe' peach is an early domestic variety developed through repeated crossing of the 'Dneprovsky' and 'Shevchenko Memory' varieties at the Central Botanical Garden named after N.N. Gritsak of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The tree is medium-sized with a rounded, moderately dense crown, requiring pruning into a bush or bowl shape. Fruit production begins on the 3rd–4th year after planting, primarily on last year's growth. Flowering is early, abundant, and uniform, ensuring stable high yields.

The fruits of the 'Steppe' variety have an oval shape, slightly compressed on the sides, with a dense, light-cream-colored skin and a dark-pink blush covering nearly the entire surface. Average fruit weight ranges from 70 to 150 grams, reaching up to 200 grams with sparse planting. The flesh is creamy-white, very juicy, tender, with a harmonious sweet-tart flavor and a honey-like aroma, making the fruit excellent for dessert. The stone is medium-sized, narrow, and easily separates from the flesh. The fruit is versatile: it can be eaten fresh or used for compotes and jams.

The variety is distinguished by high cold tolerance, winter hardiness, and resistance to powdery mildew and other diseases. The tree is low-maintenance and produces highly marketable fruit, making it attractive for cultivation under various climatic conditions. Harvesting occurs at the end of July to early August, allowing enjoyment of fresh peaches during the height of summer.