Nectarine tree (Fire Diamond)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, medium vigor, hardy, very productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the second week in May, with first picking on May 10, 1988, making it a very early ripening variety. The fruit is uniform but small in size, semi-freestone in type, dark red in skin color, and a mild balance of acid and sugar in flavor. The variety was developed as a hybridized seedling from the selected seed parent, Early Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,438), and an unnamed genetically dwarf peach seedling as the selected pollen parent.

We claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct very early ripening variety of semi-freestone nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, which most nearly resembles the Early Diamond (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,438) nectarine variety by producing fruit that is good in flavor, globose in shape, and almost full red in color at harvest time, but is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon by harvesting 21 days earlier, making it one of the earliest ripening nectarines presently known, and is further distinguished from the Early Diamond by having purplish red blossoms instead of pink blossoms and by having mostly reddish brown leaves instead of green leaves from mid-summer to dormancy.