Nectarine tree (Sparkling May)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the first week in June, with first picking on June 6, 1987. The fruit is of uniform medium size, very firm making excellent quality for keeping and shipping, full red in skin color, and sweet subacid flavor. The variety was developed as the result of a seedling of Red Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165) as the seed parent and Aurora Grand (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,792) as the selected pollen parent. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct early ripening variety of freestone nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, which most nearly resembles the May Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,454) variety but is distinguished from and an improvement on that variety by ripening seven days earlier, by having a sweeter less acidic flavor, and by blooming more densely the fruit has average size, good flavor, good firmness, and excellent shape for the commercial grower also, the fruit harvests in California at a very desirable time period, approximately halfway between Early Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,438) and May Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,454).