Plants – Fruit – Stone fruit tree
Plant Patent
2000-07-12
2002-08-06
Campell, Bruce R. (Department: 1661)
Plants
Fruit
Stone fruit tree
Plant Patent
active
PP012833
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Japanese type plum (
Prunus salicina
Lindl.) tree which is named ‘Gulfrose’ and, more particularly to a plum tree which is adapted to central and north Florida winter climate with annual and heavy crops which ripen in the mid- to late May in the adapted area. Contrast is made to ‘Gulfruby’ (unpatented) plum for reliable description and contrast. This new variety is a promising candidate for commercial success in Florida because it bears fruit ripening in spring when few plums are available from the U.S.
ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY
This plum tree originated from the University of Florida stone fruit breeding programs at Gainesville from an open pollination of ‘Gulfruby’ (unpatented) plum, and hereinafter will be referred to varietally as ‘Gulfrose’. The present variety was selected in 1995, and has been tested as Fla. 95-4 plum. ‘Gulfrose’ has been asexually propagated by budding onto ‘Flordaguard’ (unpatented) peach rootstock in an experimental orchard at Gainesville for 2 succeeding generations, which shows that characteristics of the tree are established and uniformly transmitted. ‘Flordaguard’ does not impart any known characteristics to the scion variety different than other root-knot nematode resistant peach rootstocks.
SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY
This new and distinct variety of plum tree is large, vigorous, and semi-spreading in growth. It has an estimated chilling requirement of 275 chill units, but appears to have a high heat requirement for breaking dormancy in that ‘Gulfrose’ trees bloom before the earliest standard Japanese varieties at Gainesville, but with or after the same standard Japanese varieties in north Florida locations. Winter temperatures of 14° F. in Florida have not damaged wood or flower and leaf buds. ‘Gulfrose’ is adapted to the winters of north central and north Florida, overlapping the second half of the flowering period in ‘Gulfruby’, ‘Gulfbeauty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,224), and ‘Gulfblaze’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,873) plums, and ‘Gulfrose’ is cross pollinated with pollen from each of them. None of these plums are self fertile and all require cross pollination for fruiting. ‘Gulfrose’ is a regular and productive bearer of medium size, firm, semi-freestone fruit with good eating quality and a slightly tart skin. The fruit is further characterized by having deep red skin, firm, blood flesh, hanging on the tree 10 days after maturity (shipping ripe) and ripening 7 to 10 days after ‘Gulfruby’. Fruit set is very high and fruit thinning may be required to prevent limb breakage and size fruit properly. The new variety is distinguished from ‘Gulfruby’ in having blood flesh, later ripening fruit and a higher degree of resistance in leaves, twigs, and fruit to bacterial leaf spot. Fruit of ‘Gulfrose’ are highly resistant to sun scald (‘Gulfruby’ is highly susceptible), concentric skin cracks, and split stones. Leaves have moderate resistance to leaf scald.
Campell Bruce R.
McCormick Susan B.
Stadsklev Thomas D.
LandOfFree
Plum tree named ‘Gulfrose’ does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Plum tree named ‘Gulfrose’, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plum tree named ‘Gulfrose’ will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2892969