Almond × peach hybrid rootstock tree (Hansen 2168)

Abstract

An almond × peach hybrid rootstock tree which is large, vigorous, upright to vase-shaped with medium trunk and branches, and peach-like in appearance; densely foliated with large, thin, smooth, medium green leaves on vigorous shoots and medium size on spurs; the leaves having a crenate-serrate margin, medium length petiole, and usually reniform glands; blooms from half-hardy, medium size, plump, pubescent flower buds; the flowers being large and conspicuous with large, ovate petals slightly pink in bud but becoming white when open; and is a productive bearer of ovate, white-fleshed fruit (not useful to the clone) having a peach-like, reddish-brown, very hard stone with large ridges; the tree root system being adventitious and deep rooting with uniformly emerging roots which are large, straight, and outwardly and downwardly inclined.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of almond × peach hybrid rootstock tree substantially as illustrated and described, particularly characterized by a high percentage of successful reproductions from hardwood cuttings, by a deep rooting, adventitious root system providing excellent anchorage, by immunity to root-knot nematode infections, Meloidygyne incognita acrita and M. javanica, and by a tree generally resembling the Hansen 536 but slightly more vigorous, roots from cuttings more consistently, and with tree branches which have more green and less red color of the developing leaves and shoots.