Ruby Queen Plum, Scarletprince and Julyprince Peaches Developed for
You.
Two splendid new peaches and a luscious new plum have been developed
by plant breeders at the ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research
Laboratory in Byron, Ga., for planting in commercial orchards and
backyards of the southeastern United States. Initial supplies of
budwood have been made available to researchers, breeders and
commercial nurseries.
Scarletprince and Julyprince peaches are round and large--almost 3
inches in diameter. The fruit of both varieties, especially that of
Julyprince, softens slowly while on the tree, meaning it can be picked
over a longer period than comparable varieties. That allows needed
flexibility and helps ensure a more even supply of freshly harvested
fruit for shoppers.
Scarletprince, ripe and ready to pick in late June through early
July, has more bright red on its skin than Julyprince, which also
largely bright red but has more of its attractive, bright-yellow
undercolor showing through. The yellow, freestone flesh of
Scarletprince is sweet and flavorful, with an excellent texture.
Julyprince peach ripens in early to mid-July. Its great-tasting,
freestone flesh is yellow with some red coloring near the pit.
A high-quality, late-ripening plum, Ruby Queen did well in orchard
tests in central Georgia, New Jersey and New York--and is recommended
for testing in other areas with similar climates. This juicy plum
ripens in mid- to late July at Byron. No other plums suitable for the
Southeast are available to ripen at that time.
Ruby Queen has dark-red to reddish-black skin, with firm red flesh and
outstanding flavor. The fruit is round--about two inches in
diameter--and is high in antioxidants.
For more information, contact William R. Okie, (478) 956-6405;
USDA-ARS Southeastern Tree Nut and Fruit Laboratory, Byron, GA.