| PP07066 | Peach tree (Diamond Princess) | Bradford | PLT/198 |
In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, the inventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘SUGAR PRINCESS’. The present variety was hybridized by me in 1992, grown as a seedling on its own root in my greenhouse, and transplanted to a cultivated area of our experimental orchard at Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). It was developed as a first generation cross using ‘Diamond Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,066) yellow flesh peach as the selected seed parent and an unnamed white flesh peach as the selected pollen parent. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of peach tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ rootstock (unpatented) upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.
The present variety is similar to its selected seed parent, ‘Diamond Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,066) peach, by producing freestone peaches that are globose in shape, firm in texture, and mostly red in skin color, but is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon by producing fruit that is subacid instead of acid in flavor, that is larger in size, and that matures about two weeks later.
The accompanying photograph exhibits four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruit divided around the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone, and typical leaves.
Referring now more specifically to the pomological chgaracteristics of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin County), Calif., and was developed at the state of firm ripe on Jul. 16, 2001, on the original tree during its ninth growing season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.
Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 12′ [3.66 m.] after nine growing seasons utilizing typical dormant pruning.
Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.
Growth: Spreading and dense.
Form: Vase formed.
Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.
Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central California climatic conditions, which typically include prolonged periods of heat.
Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and requires regular irrigation.
Production: Very productive, thinning necessary.
Fertility: Self-fertile.
Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.
Trunk:
Branches:
Leaves:
Flower buds:
Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil, typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations alternately positioned.
Maturity when described: Hard ripe, Jul. 15, 2000.
Date of first picking: Jul. 13, 2000.
Date of last picking: Jul. 23, 2000.
Size: Uniform, large.
Form: Uniform, very slightly asymmetrical, globose and slightly compressed axially and towards the suture.
Suture: An inconspicuous line extending from the base and discontinuing slightly past the apex with virtually no depression at the apex.
Ventral surface: Rounded, with a bulge along suture line between, but not including, the apex and base.
Lips: None.
Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on both sides, Brilliant orange yellow [67. brill.OY] stem markings typical.
Base: Somewhat truncate, cuneate when viewed parallel to the suture.
Apex: Rounded.
Pistil point: Apical, less than {fraction (1/32)}″ [0.8 mm] in length.
Stem: Medium.
Skin:
Down: Scant, does not roll up when rubbed.
Flesh:
Type: Freestone.
Average width: 1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].
Average length: 1¼″ [31.8 mm.].
Average breadth: {fraction (13/16)}″ [20.6 mm.].
Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].
Form: Oval, slightly wider towards apex.
Hilum: Narrow.
Base: Straight.
Apex: Acute, ⅛″ [3.2 mm] tip forming an angle of 75 degrees.
Sides: Equal.
Surface: Nearly horizontal furrows toward the apex curving toward the Base, pitted throughout.
Ridges: Jagged toward the base.
Color: Deep brown [56. deep Br].
Tendency to split: Slight.
Kernel:
Market: Fresh market, long distance shipping, backyard grower.
Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good condition after 17 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].
Shipping quality: Good.
Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.
Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.
Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varying cultural practices.