The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree, Prunus persica, broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the early to mid blooming season and requires about 400 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early to mid July with the first picking on Jul. 1, 2015. The fruit is uniform, large in size, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red to pink in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar in flavor.

Patent
   PP28249
Priority
Dec 11 2015
Filed
Dec 11 2015
Issued
Aug 08 2017
Expiry
Mar 13 2036
Extension
93 days
Assg.orig
Entity
unknown
0
3
n/a
1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Ice Queen’ peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,700) by having a vigorous tree, by having large blossoms, by being self-fertile, and by producing white flesh freestone peaches that are mostly red in skin color, globose in shape, and firm in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by having globose instead of reniform leaf glands, by requiring less chilling hours, and by producing fruit that is larger in size and that ripens about seven days earlier.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘PEARL PRINCESS IX’.

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we, the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a smaller number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Pearl Princess IX’.

The present variety was hybridized by us in 2000 as a first generation cross using ‘Snow Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) peach as the selected seed parent and ‘Rose Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,845) nectarine as the selected pollen parent. Upon reaching maturity the fruit from this cross was harvested, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in our greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of our experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2005 we selected the present variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of peach tree, we 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 tree in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Snow Princess’ peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570), by having a vigorous tree with large blossoms, by being self-fertile, and by producing freestone peaches that are mostly red to pink in skin color, white in flesh color, globose in shape, and firm in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by having globose instead of reniform leaf glands and by producing fruit that is mildly acidic instead of sub-acidic in flavor and that matures about fourteen days earlier.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Rose Bright’ nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,845), by having a vigorous tree, by having large blossoms, and by being self-fertile, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is white instead of yellow in flesh color, that is sweeter and less acidic in flavor, that is peach instead of nectarine, and that matures about fifty days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Ice Queen’ peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,700) by having a vigorous tree, by having large blossoms, by being self-fertile, and by producing white flesh freestone peaches that are mostly red in skin color, globose in shape, and firm in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by having globose instead of reniform leaf glands, by requiring less chilling hours, and by producing fruit that is larger in size and that ripens about seven days earlier.

In summary, the present peach variety is characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the early to mid blooming season and requires about 400 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early to mid July with the first picking on Jul. 1, 2015. The fruit is uniform, large in size, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red to pink in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar in flavor.

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one divided fruit to reveal the flesh and stone, a tip shoot of new leaf growth, typical leaves, and two insets depicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appeared on the tree during the blooming season.

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics 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 Valley), Calif., and was developed at the state of shipping ripe on Jul. 2, 2015, on a multiplied tree utilizing ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock during its seventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming 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.

It is to be noted that the 2015 fruit season in California was very warm during the spring and the ripening times of almost all varieties were about twenty days earlier than other years.

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.

Bradford, Lowell Glen, Quisenberry, Jon M.

Patent Priority Assignee Title
Patent Priority Assignee Title
PP12570, Nov 27 2000 Peach tree named `Snow Princess`
PP15845, Dec 18 2003 Nectarine tree named ‘Rose Bright’
PP24700, Dec 13 2012 Peach tree named ‘Ice Queen’
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