Origin

‘Gulfcrimson’ originated in Attapulgus, GA, from a 1999 cross of AP96-8 × AP98-5 and was selected and propagated in 2001 and tested as AP01-7 at Attapulgus. Both parents are of complex origin (Fig. 1).

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Description

Standards and methods used in this program to evaluate selections have been described (Beckman and Krewer, 1999; Beckman et al., 1995). Trees of ‘Gulfcrimson’ are estimated to require 400 chill units (Sherman and Lyrene, 1998). This is based on full bloom consistently occurring just before ‘Sunlite’ nectarine at Attapulgus where full bloom occurs most seasons in mid-February (Table 1). ‘Gulfcrimson’ has fruited well where the coldest month averages 12 to 14 °C (Sharpe et al., 1990) and in colder locations in the absence of spring frosts. Thus, we expect this new peach to be adapted in areas where ‘Flordaking’ and ‘Sunlite’ nectarine have been grown successfully. Fruit ripen in mid- to late May at Attapulgus, ≈90 to 95 d after full bloom (Table 1) and usually with ‘June Gold’ peach (Table 2). Trees are vigorous, productive, and without alternate bearing. Trees set a high number of flower buds, have few blind nodes (Richards et al., 1994), and exhibit little bud failure (bud drop) before bloom (Weinberger, 1967). Fruit thinning is required in the absence of thinning by spring frost to size fruit and prevent limb breakage.

Table 1. Tree performance and fruit characteristics^z of ‘Gulfcrimson’ (Attapulgus, GA, 2002 to 2006).

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Table 2. Tree performance and fruit characteristics^z of ‘Gulfcrimson’ and ‘June Gold’ (Attapulgus, GA, 2002 to 2006).

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‘Gulfcrimson’ fruit have been observed on the original seedling and budded trees since 2001. Fruit are medium size, round to slightly elongated, and attractive (Fig. 2), averaging ≈138 g (67 mm diameter) when thinned to ≈15 cm apart. Buttons have not been observed in fruit of ‘Gulfcrimson’. Commercially ripe fruit exhibit 80% red over a deep yellow to orange ground color. Fruit shape is round with a recessed tip. The flesh contains, in some years, red-pigmented flecks in the outer flesh on the sun-exposed side of the fruit, but there is little or no red in the flesh at the pit. Flesh texture is smooth and without strings but is clingy to the pit even when fully ripe. Flesh is firm with good sweetness (10% to 12% soluble solids) and does not brown readily on bruised or cut surfaces. Pits are medium small and have not been observed to split even when crop loads were low.

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Leaves have small reniform glands. Flowers are showy and pink. Anthers are light red and pollen is bright yellow and abundant. Leaves have shown no bacterial spot [Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni (Sm.) Dye] in test plantings where known susceptible genotypes show typical symptoms.

Comparable in size to ‘June Gold’, ‘Gulfcrimson’ offers some significant advantages over the industry standard. These include superior cropping reliability, fruit shape, red skin blush, appearance, eating quality, firmness, and a significantly reduced incidence of split pits.

Availability

A plant patent has been filed for ‘Gulfcrimson’ and a propagation agreement is available through Florida Foundation Seed Producers, P.O. Box 309, Greenwood, FL 32443. Budwood is indexed free of Prunus Necrotic Ringspot Virus and Prune Dwarf Virus.