Introducing A Gem Of A Peach For Central Florida
Photo by Jose Chaparro
The newest variety to come from the UF Stone Fruit Breeding Program is another “gem,” UFGem! This peach variety is now available for trials in Central Florida, with the patent pending as of 2013. It has a lovely blush over all the fruit, and like other recent releases from the UF Stone Fruit Breeding Program, it has non-melting flesh, making it a great candidate for shipping and marketing.
Production Perameters
This peach has a chill requirement of approximately 175 chill units, which means that growers throughout Central Florida will find that it should fit in nicely where UFSun, UFBest, and TropicBeauty are grown. UFGem blooms in late January in Gainesville, shortly after our standard for 150 chill units, which indicates that it should bloom after both UFSun and TropicBeauty in Central Florida. Fruit set has been excellent even when minimum temperatures are above 57°F.
Fruit Characteristics
The fruit developmental period (FDP) averages about 83 days, but this will depend upon the current season’s temperatures with cooler periods extending the FDP, and warmer periods shortening the FDP. Fruit size is average from 2¼ inches to 2½ inches with typical thinning distances (six inches apart); however the bright red, near 100% blush will set the fruit apart from existing varieties in the marketplace. Fruit are firm with non-melting flesh, and average 12°Brix, which is average for early season peach varieties.
Growth Habits
UFGem trees are vigorous, but not quite as vigorous as UFSun, which is good as growers start exploring the efficacy of tighter in-row spacing. Trees do not produce as much blind wood (nodes) as other varieties like UFSun and they form abundant flower buds each summer. Disease resistance for bacterial spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (Sm.) Dye], was rated “very good” when tested next to varieties that are susceptible, but the trees are moderately susceptible to Botryosphaeria, which can cause fungal gummosis.
If you have had good success with UFSun, TropicBeauty, or UFBest and you want to try a new variety, UFGem is a great choice to try in your orchard.
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