ANR-994 SUGGESTED PEACH VARIETIES FOR ALABAMA/Table2

Table 2. "Best of Season" Variety List

Season of Ripening--Days before Elberta (DBE) or days after Elberta (DAE) with common variety associated with season. Variety considered "Best in Their Season"

55-60 DBE (Camden - Springold season) None are really outstanding although Regal is promising (need higher chiller for this season).

49-54 DBE (Springcrest - Bicentennial season) Again, no single superior variety; Correll best in cropping but fruit quality lacking; Empress has quality fruit but too tender for cropping consistency; Bicentennial fruits are too soft; Springcrest is acceptable; Sunbrite (not listed) produces best fruit of all but too susceptible to bacterial spot.

43-48 DBE (June Gold - Surecrop season) June Gold has dominated this season for years except in northern areas where Surecrop is better adapted; Goldprince may prove best in southern areas but too tender otherwise; June Gold is not ideal but still okay; Surecrop best in northern and central areas; Derby may have fruit quality problems and needs more evaluation.

37-42 DBE (Redcap - Dixired season) No overly superior varieties, but Dixired and Garnet Beauty very acceptable and fairly hardy; Sweethaven very hardy, excellent flavor but medium sized fruits with less firm flesh make it best for roadside retail; Delta and Summerprince both show promise, but Delta is susceptible to phomopsis, while Summerprince lacks hardiness, has small fruit size (must be thinned early), and may only be satisfactory in southern counties. Sentry still remains questionable and may have hardiness problems.

31-36 DBE (Coronet - Sentinel season) In southern areas, Gala may prove best; Texroyal shows promise but is still questionable; Juneprince has quality fruit but is still too bud-tender to grow except possibly in southern counties; Flavorcrest, Gala, and Sentinel are adapted in southern and central areas; however, Sentinel lacks color and firmness; Flavorcrest has the best fruit quality in its season but lacks hardiness and has bacterial spot problems; Gala is most attractive in season and crops adequately but is especially susceptible to phomopsis; Pekin does well in central and northern areas but lacks size and flavor; Early Redhaven is a better selection for these areas but lacks flavor.

25-30 DBE (Redhaven season) In spite of certain problems, Redhaven remains one of best in this season; Newhaven shows promise of good performance. Jerseyland has bacterial spot problems but is hardy and still performs well; Harbrite, Norman, and Harken are all satisfactory.

19-24 DBE (Ranger - Harvester season) Harvester and Bellaire best (Bellaire is a small-flowered variety). There are at least two different "Harvester" selections available. Plant only the higher chilling variety. Some growers feel fruit quality in Bellaire is lacking. Cary Mac has excellent fruit quality but lacks hardiness; Sunland, Velvet, and Topaz well adapted to southern areas. Topaz does not crop well in central and northern areas. Ranger, Delp Early Hale, Velvet, Sunland, Clayton, Troy, Envoy, and Veeglo are all satisfactory for area recommended.

13-18 DBE (Majestic - Redglobe season) Majestic is among the best in this season; however, Jayhaven, Stagg, and Winblo are very good, although Stagg may exhibit fruit cracking and is moderately hardy; Vivid, Carogem, and Ellerbe are satisfactory; Fireprince and Glohaven are good but lack hardiness.

6-12 (Loring - Madison season) Loring still remains a leading variety in the state because of superior fruit quality but is not best in season because of crop loss to freezes. Only plant Loring on warmest sites in central counties. Contender and Redkist are outstanding in this season; Contender has remarkable hardiness and excellent fruit appearance and size when thinned correctly. Attention must be given to properly thinning Redkist for optimum fruit size. Madison is very good for local markets; Canadian Harmony, La Premier, Yakima Hale, Denman, and Summergold are all satisfactory. La Premier is very hardy but has soft fruit that lack color; Bounty shows promise but lacks hardiness.

0-5 DBE (Elberta - Redskin season) Cresthaven, Ruston Red, and Biscoe are best in season; Ruston Red is very dependable, but fruit quality is only fair. Cresthaven may crop light in low-chill years. In some cases, Biscoe fruits may be shy on looks and flavor. Alred Elberta, Dixiland, and Redskin are satisfactory but lack crop consistency because of freezes; Sunprince has good fruit quality but lacks hardiness and is best adapted to southern counties; Indian Red is a very hardy cling and of value only for local markets.

Days After Elberta (DAE)

-1 to -6 DAE (Rio Osa Gem - Monroe season) Autumnglo is very cold hardy and probably best in season but can have bacterial spot problems; Monroe, Jefferson, and Emery are satisfactory; Clyde Wilson and Havis produce quality fruit but lack cropping consistency. Havis has best fruit quality in this season.

-7 to -13 DAE (Encore - O'Henry season) Encore, Finale, and Rubidoux are quite hardy and generally best in season although they have major limitations. Fruit quality is very limiting in Finale and Rubidoux, while Encore lacks color but has fair fruit quality. Marqueen and Gemmers Late Elberta are satisfactory; O'Henry and Sweet Sue have excellent fruit quality, but both lack cropping consistency and are susceptible to bacterial spot. Sweet Sue usually crops adequately in southern counties and warmer locations in central areas. Fruit shape not ideal. Flameprince looks promising but needs more evaluation. Although initially praised when released, Legend is only performing well in northern states. Small fruit size and other problems resulted in it being dropped in most southern states.

-14 to -23 DAE (Quachita Gold season) None of these varieties are outstanding, but La Jewel and Quachita Gold are acceptable; NJ193 is very hardy but lacks fruit quality, while Cal Red has exceptional fruit quality (best in season) but lacks hardiness and cropping consistency.

-24 to -30 DAE (Fairtime season) Fairtime is the best of the real late varieties but lacks hardiness, cropping consistency and has bacterial spot problem; Parade is generally satisfactory, while Marsun exhibits minimally acceptable fruit quality and poor tree characteristics.

**Table 2.** "Best of Season" Variety List
Season of Ripening--Days before Elberta (DBE) or days after Elberta (DAE) with common variety associated with season.	Variety considered "Best in Their Season"
55-60 DBE (Camden - Springold season)	None are really outstanding although Regal is promising (need higher chiller for this season).
49-54 DBE (Springcrest - Bicentennial season)	Again, no single superior variety; Correll best in cropping but fruit quality lacking; Empress has quality fruit but too tender for cropping consistency; Bicentennial fruits are too soft; Springcrest is acceptable; Sunbrite (not listed) produces best fruit of all but too susceptible to bacterial spot.
43-48 DBE (June Gold - Surecrop season)	June Gold has dominated this season for years except in northern areas where Surecrop is better adapted; Goldprince may prove best in southern areas but too tender otherwise; June Gold is not ideal but still okay; Surecrop best in northern and central areas; Derby may have fruit quality problems and needs more evaluation.
37-42 DBE (Redcap - Dixired season)	No overly superior varieties, but Dixired and Garnet Beauty very acceptable and fairly hardy; Sweethaven very hardy, excellent flavor but medium sized fruits with less firm flesh make it best for roadside retail; Delta and Summerprince both show promise, but Delta is susceptible to phomopsis, while Summerprince lacks hardiness, has small fruit size (must be thinned early), and may only be satisfactory in southern counties. Sentry still remains questionable and may have hardiness problems.
31-36 DBE (Coronet - Sentinel season)	In southern areas, Gala may prove best; Texroyal shows promise but is still questionable; Juneprince has quality fruit but is still too bud-tender to grow except possibly in southern counties; Flavorcrest, Gala, and Sentinel are adapted in southern and central areas; however, Sentinel lacks color and firmness; Flavorcrest has the best fruit quality in its season but lacks hardiness and has bacterial spot problems; Gala is most attractive in season and crops adequately but is especially susceptible to phomopsis; Pekin does well in central and northern areas but lacks size and flavor; Early Redhaven is a better selection for these areas but lacks flavor.
25-30 DBE (Redhaven season)	In spite of certain problems, Redhaven remains one of best in this season; Newhaven shows promise of good performance. Jerseyland has bacterial spot problems but is hardy and still performs well; Harbrite, Norman, and Harken are all satisfactory.
19-24 DBE (Ranger - Harvester season)	Harvester and Bellaire best (Bellaire is a small-flowered variety). There are at least two different "Harvester" selections available. Plant only the higher chilling variety. Some growers feel fruit quality in Bellaire is lacking. Cary Mac has excellent fruit quality but lacks hardiness; Sunland, Velvet, and Topaz well adapted to southern areas. Topaz does not crop well in central and northern areas. Ranger, Delp Early Hale, Velvet, Sunland, Clayton, Troy, Envoy, and Veeglo are all satisfactory for area recommended.
13-18 DBE (Majestic - Redglobe season)	Majestic is among the best in this season; however, Jayhaven, Stagg, and Winblo are very good, although Stagg may exhibit fruit cracking and is moderately hardy; Vivid, Carogem, and Ellerbe are satisfactory; Fireprince and Glohaven are good but lack hardiness.
6-12 (Loring - Madison season)	Loring still remains a leading variety in the state because of superior fruit quality but is not best in season because of crop loss to freezes. Only plant Loring on warmest sites in central counties. Contender and Redkist are outstanding in this season; Contender has remarkable hardiness and excellent fruit appearance and size when thinned correctly. Attention must be given to properly thinning Redkist for optimum fruit size. Madison is very good for local markets; Canadian Harmony, La Premier, Yakima Hale, Denman, and Summergold are all satisfactory. La Premier is very hardy but has soft fruit that lack color; Bounty shows promise but lacks hardiness.
0-5 DBE (Elberta - Redskin season)	Cresthaven, Ruston Red, and Biscoe are best in season; Ruston Red is very dependable, but fruit quality is only fair. Cresthaven may crop light in low-chill years. In some cases, Biscoe fruits may be shy on looks and flavor. Alred Elberta, Dixiland, and Redskin are satisfactory but lack crop consistency because of freezes; Sunprince has good fruit quality but lacks hardiness and is best adapted to southern counties; Indian Red is a very hardy cling and of value only for local markets.
Days After Elberta (DAE)
-1 to -6 DAE (Rio Osa Gem - Monroe season)	Autumnglo is very cold hardy and probably best in season but can have bacterial spot problems; Monroe, Jefferson, and Emery are satisfactory; Clyde Wilson and Havis produce quality fruit but lack cropping consistency. Havis has best fruit quality in this season.
-7 to -13 DAE (Encore - O'Henry season)	Encore, Finale, and Rubidoux are quite hardy and generally best in season although they have major limitations. Fruit quality is very limiting in Finale and Rubidoux, while Encore lacks color but has fair fruit quality. Marqueen and Gemmers Late Elberta are satisfactory; O'Henry and Sweet Sue have excellent fruit quality, but both lack cropping consistency and are susceptible to bacterial spot. Sweet Sue usually crops adequately in southern counties and warmer locations in central areas. Fruit shape not ideal. Flameprince looks promising but needs more evaluation. Although initially praised when released, Legend is only performing well in northern states. Small fruit size and other problems resulted in it being dropped in most southern states.
-14 to -23 DAE (Quachita Gold season)	None of these varieties are outstanding, but La Jewel and Quachita Gold are acceptable; NJ193 is very hardy but lacks fruit quality, while Cal Red has exceptional fruit quality (best in season) but lacks hardiness and cropping consistency.
-24 to -30 DAE (Fairtime season)	Fairtime is the best of the real late varieties but lacks hardiness, cropping consistency and has bacterial spot problem; Parade is generally satisfactory, while Marsun exhibits minimally acceptable fruit quality and poor tree characteristics.

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