2010/2011 Variety Evaluations - Bathurst, NSW

WEEK 7 - 20 December 2010

Comments: The weather leading up to this week has been unstable again with storms. 20mm+ with minimal sunshine and no heat, so low sugars in fruit. Cold mornings early in the week down to 4-5C. Maximum temps in low to mid -20's.

Solar Fire apricot 21/12/10 - The fruit had no red skin blush, 50mm (60g) fruit, average 13 Brix. No cracking even after 20mm rain. Beautiful apricot flavour, best of season so far. Approx. 80% crop load after a poor pollination season.

Solar Flair apricot 21/12/10 - The fruit had no red skin blush, 56mm (90g) fruit, average 13 Brix. No cracking even after 20mm rain. Nice apricot flavour. Approx. 80% crop load after a poor pollination season.

Solar Glow apricot 21/12/10 - The fruit had no red skin blush, 58mm (100g) fruit, average 15 Brix. No cracking even after 20mm rain. Nice apricot flavour. Approx. 80% crop load after a poor pollination season.

Solar Nugget apricot 21/12/10 - The fruit had no red skin blush, 52mm (66g) fruit, average 15 Brix. No cracking even after 20mm rain. Nice apricot flavour. Approx. 80% crop load after a poor pollination season.

The Solar series of apricots have performed well again this season under very trying apricot conditions. Reports from other production areas have supported these comments this year.

J21-107 apricot 21/12/10 - J21-107 is a medium chill apricot variety from New Jersey, USA. The fruit had 50% red skin blush, 60mm (96g) fruit, average 17 Brix. No cracking even after 20mm rain. Nice apricot flavour. Approx. 30% crop load after a poor pollination season.

D14-1 apricot 21/12/10 - D14-1 is a high chill apricot variety from New Zealand. This is the first fruit seen in Australia (3 fruit). The fruit had 50-60% red skin blush, 56mm (98g) fruit, average 17-20 Brix. Slight cracking even after 20mm rain. Nice apricot flavour.

Mascot apricot 21/12/10 - Mascot is a high chill apricot variety from New Zealand. The fruit had 20% red skin blush, 58mm (95g) fruit, average 14 Brix. No cracking even after 20mm rain. Nice apricot flavour.

SF 03-152 YF Nectarine 21/12/10 - This is a low to medium chill variety from France. Average 68mm fruit (150g) with average TSS (13 Brix) this season.

Turquoise WF Nectarine 21/12/10 - This is a medium chill variety from France. Average 66mm fruit (155g) with average TSS (13 Brix) this season.

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The Commercial Grower acknowledges that no information, representation or warranty has been made by ANFIC or any of its member nurseries on its behalf as to: the suitability of the plant for the Commercial Grower’s needs and environment; and the performance of the Plant and fruit variety to which it belongs, and the Commercial Grower acknowledges that it has not relied on any such information, representation or warranty. The Commercial Grower represents and warrants that it has made its own inquiries prior to the purchase of the Plants and has satisfied itself as to all matters or qualities pertaining to the Plant.