USPP1651P - Apricot tree - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8, 1957 H. c. SWIM Plant Pat. 1,651

APRICOT TREE Filed Nov. 6, 1956 APRICOT TREE Herbert C. Swim, Ontario, Calif.,'assignor to Armstrong Nurseries, Inc, Ontario, Califi, incorporation of California Application November 6, 19 56,Seria l' him 620,736 1 Claim. (Cl. il- 62) The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree which was originated by me by crossing an unnamed and unpatente'd, early-blooming sport of Royal apricot (unpatented) with the unpatented variety Casaba, the unnamed sport being the seed parent, and the Casabavariety being the pollen parent.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new and improved apricot variety which combines the best characteristics of the two parent varieties. This objective was fully achieved, as evidenced by the following United States Patent v unique combination of features which are outstanding in the new variety:

(1) The medium to large size of the fruit;

(2) A high degree of desirable red skin color on the side of the fruit which is exposed to the sun;

(3) A slightly higher winter chilling requirement than that of the Royal apricot, with a consequent blooming of some 3 to 10 days later than Royal in southern California; and

(4) A fruit maturation period from peak bloom to tree ripe from approximately 10 days to 2 weeks shorter than that of Royal apricot, and a ripening period of from one to 2 weeks ahead of Royal in southern California, occurring in late June.

In comparison with its seed parent, my new variety bears somewhat larger fruit; has a higher degree of red skin coloring (this parent having little or no red color); a higher winter chilling requirement and a resulting later blooming period; and a more uniform distribution of the fruit on the tree (the parent usually producing a large portion of its fruit near the terminals of its long and more or less will-owy branches).

As compared with its pollen parent, Casaba, my new variety has a much lower winter chilling requirement than this parent which has a chilling requirement too high for southern California; and has more skin color than the fruit of this parent as grown in northern California.

The foregoing characteristics and distinctions definitely differentiate my new variety from its parents, as well as from all other varieties of which I am aware, and asexual reproduction of the new variety by grafting, as performed at Ontario, California, shows that said characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The accompanying drawing shows typical specimens of the foilage and fruit of my new variety, with both the upper and lower surfaces of the foilage being illustrated and both exterior and sectional views of the fruit being shown, all as being depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, as based upon observations of specimens grown at Ontario, California, with color terminology in accordance with Robert F. Wilsons Horticultural Colour Chart,

Plant Pat. 1,651

Patented Oet.;8,1957

ice

Dates of first and last picking: Generally ripens in late June, although over prolonged observations, dates of first ripening varied from June 18 to July 3, with ripening ending from June 27 to July 10.

Tree: From large to medium size;"vigorous; upright;

dense; vase-formed; very productive; regular bearer.

Trunk-From stocky to medium caliperin relation to length; from medium to shaggy in surface roughness. f

Branches-From stocky to medium caliper in relation to length; from smooth 'to medium roughness; dull. Colornear Deep Brownish Drab, Plate XLV (Ridgway), overlaid with between Pale Mouse Gray, Plate LI (Ridgway) and Light Mouse .Gray, Plate LI (Ridgway). Lenticels few; medium size. 7

Leaves.--From very broadly ovate to orbicular;

abruptly pointed; mu-cronate; from thick to medium thickness; relatively smooth- SiZe-Aarge; length-from 3 inchesto 31/; inches; width"from 2% inches to 3% inches. -Color: upper surfacebetween Cress Green, Plate XXXI (Ridgway) and Dark Dull Yellow-Green, Plate XXXII (Ridgway); under surfacebetween Chromium Green, Plate XXXII (Ridgway) and Deep Dull Yellow-Green (1), Plate XXXII (Ridgway). Margin-coarsely serrate. Petiole-from long to medium length; from 1 inch to 1% inches in length; medium thickness. Glands-average 2 or 3 in number; alternate; medium size; globose; positioned on petiole below attachment of leaf blade; color-green. Stipules-very short; broad.

Flower buds: Medium size; from medium to short length;

plump; glabrous. Flowers:

Dates first and full blo0m.0ver prolonged period of observations, dates varied from February 18 to March 8 and from March 3 to March 24, respectively, due to weather variations from year-toyear; medium earliness as compared with other varieties.

Size.Medium.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.-Eating-ripe. Date-June Size.Only slightly variable; large. Axial diameterfrom 1% inches to 1% inches. Transverse diameter in suture planefrom 1 /4 inches to 1% inches. Diameter at right angles to suture plane-from 1% inches to 1% inches.

Form-Slightly variable; symmetrical; globose; at

times somewhat compressed laterally toward suture.

Suture.-Shallow; extends from base to apex, but

discontinuous at apex.

Ventral surface-Rounded slightly; usually strongly lipped toward base, approximately to /2 the distance from base toward apex on both sides; lips usually equal.

Cavity.-From rounded to somewhat elongated in suture plane, with suture showing on one side. Depthfrorn about /8 inch to inch. Breadth-about 4 inch.

Ease-Rounded.

Apex.Rounded and slightly depressed; with pistil point slightly depressed.

Stems-From inch to inch in length; medium caliper; pubescent; medium adherence to stone. Skim-Thin; tender; tenacious to flesh; slight tendency to crack. Colorbetween Tangerine Orange, Plate 9 /'1',.p age 9. and Orpirnent Orange,

. .Plate' lO/2, page 10, blushed on side exposed to .isun with between Scarlet, Plate 19/2, page 19 and Geranium Lake, Plate 20/1, page 20. Down scant; very short; does not roll up when rubbed. 1 .Flesh.Color.betwe,en Orpirnent Orange, Plate 10/1, page 10 and Marigold Orange, Plate ll/l, page 11. Surface of pit cavitycolornear Marigold Orange, Plate 1-1/ 1, page 11. Amygdalinscant.v Juicefrom abundant to moderate;

V rich. Texture-medium firmness; fine; melt i'ng." Fibres-medium size; tender. Ripens fairly evenly; slightly earlier at apex. Flavormild; delicate. Aroma-not pronouncedl Eating-quality-good. 1 Stone: Free; adheres to flesh somewhat along ventral edge; fibres of medium length; free on sides; parts from flesh smoothly. Size.Medium. Length--from inch to 1 inch. Breadthfrom inch to /1 inch. Thickness /2 inch. F0rm.-Ovoid; very slightly cuneate toward apex. Base.Straight. Hilum.-,-Ova1. Apex.Nearly rounded.

4 Sides.Generally equal; curved on right and left sides. Surface-Regularly pitted only slightly throughout. Ridges.-Sharp ridges only along ventral edge. Pits.Slightly elongated. Ventral edge.Thick; with wing usually extending /2 distance from apex toward base. Dorswl edge.Full; with no groove; no ridges on either side. Tendency to split.-Very slight. Colon-Between Verona Brown, Plate XXIX (Ridgway) and Snufl BroWn,'Plate XXIX (Ridgway). Use: Market; local; dessert. Keeping quality: Medium. Shipping quality: Medium.

I'clairn:

A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, substantial- 1y as herein shown and described, chararcterized particularly as to novelty by its medium to large fruit, the relatively high red skin color on the side of the fruit exposed to the sun, its slightly higher winter chilling requirement than that of Royal apricot (unpatented), its habit of blooming from 3 to 10 days later than"Royal apricot in southern California, its shorter maturation period than Royal apricot, and its earlier ripening habit ranging from one to two weeks ahead of Royal apricot in southern California.

No references cited.

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