Peach Cultivars 



Karen I. Hauschild 



Cooperative Extension, University of Massachusetts 



Peaches are not new to growers in southern New 

 England: however, it is difficult to keep abreast of new 

 cultivars. At the University of Massachusetts, with the 

 help of funding from the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' 

 Association, we have initiated a program of evaluating 

 new peach cultivars. In this article I will describe some 

 of the cultivars in our plantings, based on information 

 from other locations across the country. 



This evaluation began in the spring of 1989 with 

 the planting of 9 cultivars at commercial orchards. The 

 test cultivars in those plantings are listed below. 



Jersevdawn . Fruit are semi-freestone, large, good 

 quality, firm, and attractive. Fruit ripen early, just 

 after Garnet Beauty. Trees are vigorous, hardy, pro- 

 ductive, with good resistance to bacterial spot. Jersey- 

 dawn fruit have few split pits. 



Newhaven . This tree is a reliable cropper, very like 

 Redhaven. Fruit have better size than Redhaven, with 

 firm, juicy flesh. Flesh does not brown. Trees are 

 productive and strong and very resistant to leaf spot. 



Madison . This tree is vigorous and hardy. The fruit, 

 however, do not handle or ship well. Trees are produc- 

 tive, and flower buds are very hardy. Fruit are free- 

 stone, and ripen in early September. This cultivar is 

 recommended primarily for local markets. 



Jim Dandee ™. This is a hardy, midseason cultivar. 

 Fruit are freestone, firm, and similar to Redhaven, but 

 size better. Fruit have excellent shipping quality. Tree 

 has medium vigor. This peach has been rated one of the 

 best all around in its season. 



Encore ™. This cultivar is late. The tree is strong and 

 winter hardy. Fruit are large, red over yellow, and 

 ripen in late September. Fruit are freestone and toler- 

 ant of bacterial spot. (This cultivar may not ripen in 

 colder areas of the region.) 



Other cultivars included in the 1989 plantings 

 were Redhaven, Cresthaven, Jayhaven, and Jerseyglo. 

 These cultivars are well known in New England and 

 have the following characteristics. 



Redhaven . The medium-sized fruit are highly colored, 

 attractive, and have firm flesh and fair flavor. The tree 

 is very productive, and requires heavy thinning. Flesh 



does not brown, and trees are winter hardy. This 

 cultivar is considered the "standard" in New England. 



Cresthaven . Fruit are large and oblate-shaped, with a 

 dark-red blush. The bright yellow flesh is firm, juicy, 

 and slightly fibrous. There is some red at the pit. The 

 flavor is very good. The tree is vigorous, productive, 

 and medium in hardiness. This cultivar is also fairly 

 tolerant of bacterial spot. 



Jayhaven . Fruit are medium to large, round, bright 

 colored, and freestone. The flesh is yellow and melting. 

 Trees are more bud hardy than Glohaven. Trees are 

 productive, and fruit ship well. 



Jerseyglo . Fruit are large, attractive, and freestone. 

 The flesh is yellow and firm. Trees are vigorous and 

 productive, and about equal to Redhaven in bud hardi- 

 ness. Fruit are described as being exceptionally resis- 

 tant to bacterial spot. 



Additional cultivars that we will plant at the Hor- 

 ticultural Research Center in 1990 include those listed 

 below. 



Flavorcrest . Fruit are red, very firm, and ship well. 



NJ275 . Fruit are medium to large, yellow-fleshed, and 

 have good color and firmness. Trees are productive, 

 resistant to bacterial spot, and cold hardy. 



Fayette . Trees produce round, freestone fruit with 

 little fuzz. Flesh is firm, smooth, and of good quality. 

 This is a good late-season shipper. Trees are vigorous. 

 (This cultivar may not be suitable for colder locations.) 



White Lady . Fruit are medium-sized, very round, 

 attractive, and very firm. This cultivar is probably the 

 best white peach for handling and shipping. 



Summer Pearl ™. Freestone fruit are medium to large, 

 with firm, white flesh, and ship well. Trees are re- 

 ported to be as hardy as Redhaven and moderately 

 resistant to bacterial spot. 



In addition to the aforementioned cultivars, we will 

 also be planting at least 2 other peach and 3 nectarine 

 cultivars in 1990. We will be evaluating all of these 

 cultivars for hardiness, fruit quality, and productive- 

 ness. 



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Fruit Notes, Spring, 1990 



13 



