Suture bulge, some splits, good taste with some acidity
Description
Origin
The seedling originated from a cross of ‘Fantasia’ x ‘Loring’ made in 1984 by D.W. Cain (Clemson University, CAFLS). The selection was made by Mr. William C. Newall, Jr. in 1987. It was subsequently tested as SC84157-5-157. Testing of ‘Caroking’ has been carried out at the Musser Fruit Research Center, Seneca, South Carolina, with observations made at a location on the coastal plain.
Description
‘Caroking’ has a showy self-fertile blossom that sets heavily. The leaf glands are reniform. Ripening 1-2 days after Redhaven it has shown to be a reliable producer. Trees are vigorous and productive requiring 850 hours of chilling at 7 degrees centigrade (45 degrees fahrenheit) to break the floral bud rest period. The fruit is large and nearly 90 per cent bright red and has an attractive yellow ground color. The shape is more ovate than round with a suture slightly raised. The flesh separates easily from the pit when ripe. Under moderate disease pressure no bacterial spot has been observed on either the leaves or fruit. ‘Caroking’ sets a heavy crop of fruit and must be thinned to achieve maximum size.
‘Caroking’ has limited testing on handling over long distance shipping but looks very attractive in a handle basket. Only trial plantings are recommended to ascertain the commercial handling of ‘Caroking’.
Key
Evaluations are based on a 1-8 scale (6=OK,7=Commercially acceptable, 8=Excellent)
Size is in inches
Shape: round is assumed, T=tip, P=point, S=suture, OB=oblate, OV=ovate
Pubescence: 10=nectarine
Blush: presented as percentage of ground color cover with red or similar
Freeness: 3=early cling, 8=completely free
Status: 0=discard, 1=keep
Notes: SOS=soft on suture, SOT=soft on tip, RIF=red in flesh, GAS=green around stem
RAP=red around pit, GGC=green ground color, sz=size, wh=white, yt=young tree, CCT=concave tip
Bloom date is when approx. 90% of blooms are open (full bloom)
The description of each variety of peach or nectarine fruit under each group is in different formats as this information is collected from varied sources and hence is not consistent