Patio Peach ‘Bonfire’: Green Growth from Rootstock Signals Graft Trouble

What’s Happening

The ‘Bonfire’ peach is grafted. Green leaves (not purple) emerging from the base are rootstock shoots. The scion (purple‑leaf top) may be failing – graft union not holding, or scion died.

Action Plan

1. Remove all growth below the graft union (the knobby junction near soil line).
2. Prune the scion back to a live leaf node (just above a bud) to stimulate new purple growth.
3. Keep the base clean of rootstock shoots permanently.
4. When weather warms and new leaves appear, fertilize to push scion growth.

Outcome

If the scion is alive, it will regrow with purple foliage. If it’s dead, only rootstock will grow – you’ll have a green‑leaf peach with poor fruit. In that case, replace the tree.

Act now while the tree is breaking dormancy for the best chance of saving the graft.