Patented (#10915) on May 25, 1999 by Zaiger Genetics, Modesto, CA. Flavor Gem is a new and distinct variety of interspecific tree [(Prunus salicina.times.Prunus armeniaca).times.Prunus salicina).times.Prunus salicina)] which has the following unique combination of desirable features. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Nemaguard rootstock, grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA hardiness zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation, fertilization, etc: 1. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 2. Fruit having high soluble solids, average Brix 20.5.degree. 3. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 4. Precocious production of fruit, usually producing fruit in the second year after planting. 5. Maturity of fruit being relatively uniform throughout the tree. 6. The flavor of the fruit being distinctively different, with a blend between plum and apricot. 7. Vigorous, semi-spreading growth of tree.
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