Peach tree named `Sweet Blaze`

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica). The features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on nemaguard rootstock, grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following unique combination of features that are outstanding in a new variety: 1. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 2. Fruit with the ability to remain firm on the tree 10 to 12 days after maturity (shipping ripe). 3. Fruit having firm flesh with good shipping and handling quality. 4. Fruit with sweet, sub-acid flavor and good eating qualities. 5. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit. 6. Vigorous, upright growth.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantiallky as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, upright growth; and a productive and regular bearer of large, clingstone fruit that has an attractive red skin color and a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor; and the fruit is further characterized by having firm, yellow flesh with good handling and shipping qualities, and, in comparison to Sweet Scarlet Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,695), the fruit of the new variety is approximately 18 days later in maturity.