Totally normal. It is because winter has been so mild. In cold winters they don't break dormancy until mid Feb. Mine has had a few sporadic blooms and leaves since mid Jan this year. Full bloom will still occur at the regular time.

I have a tropic snow that's been in the ground less than one year and it's doing the same thing you're describing.

I have a Bonfire Peach Tree that the buds are just breaking on, it is the first Peach Tree I have tried, do you have to spray it for pests? I have asked at stores and not many people are familiar with peaches in Florida.

Re: spraying for pests. If you read the literature, UF seems to be recommending drenching peach trees in chemicals almost weekly. However, there's a radio gardening show host I listen to who says there will be pest and diseases on your peach tree, but for the homeowner, it's best to only treat when a problem is noticed, rather than trying to do all the preventative sprays. But you have to scout your tree regularly because problems can crop up quickly. It's still probably a good idea to hit it with a dormant oil spray this time of year, though.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig075

Thanks for the link, extremely helpful. I have worried about spraying because of the declining bee population, they suggest spraying in late evening to avoid harming bees. Appreciate the info.

I spray my tree spring and fall with seaweed nutritional spray, and nothing else. I sought out a disease resistant variety and that made all the difference. My first peach tree was a poor variety choice for the climate here, and no amount of spraying could keep it healthy. I currently have a tropic sweet, and it is fantastic. Fruits well, very healthy, and no chemical sprays.

I have had two Tropic Beauty peach trees in my yard for almost 2 1/2 years. During that time I enjoyed two robust harvests each May. However, the first year I lost half the almost ripe fruit to critters, including large gray birds who were like Kamikazes, - diving right into the middle of the branches, sometimes getting stuck in there,...flapping their wings till they died. I ultimately had to wrap netting from Home Depot around each tree, but even then, lost more than a few peaches.
Have attached a pic, hope you can see the netting and sparce development like everyone else is experiencing.
Think this will be my last crop of these delicious fruits, just too much of a hassle. Will cut down the 2 trees and replace with one Maha Chinook mango tree. Less problems with mango's,..need to lighten my load, not getting any younger ! lol

This post was edited by jofus on Fri, Feb 15, 13 at 7:25