By
Kristin Churchill
Assistant Editor
New and long-established
apple, cherry and peach varieties are popular this year, three nursery
industry experts said.
Columbia Basin Nursery’s John Renick, Van Well Nurseries’
Pete Van Well and Pat Leuthardt, of Henry Leuthardt Nurseries Inc.,
said new and traditional fruit varieties are popular among growers.
The three cited color and maturity timing as reasons for the trends.
Renick, of Columbia Basin Nursery’s nursery field service, said
strong color found in Brookfield and Ultima Gala is drawing attention.
“What we’re seeing this year is high color, better than
Royal and Imperial,” he said. “Color is what buyers and
growers are looking for.”
Van Well, a sales manager for Van Well Nurseries, said the blush-type
Auvil Early Fuji apple has been popular the last few years because
it ripens earlier than the standard Fuji.
“It ripens six weeks earlier,” he said. “The same
time as Red and Golden Delicious.”
Van Well said sports of the traditional Red Delicious also remain
popular. He said Adam’s Apple and Scarlet Spur have been “fairly
well received.”
“You keep hearing Red Delicious is dead, but Adam’s has
a high color red, very nice flavor and nice, beautiful finish on the
apple,” he said.
He said Jonaprince and Braeburn also are well-liked this year because
of their strong color.
Leuthardt, president of Henry Leuthardt Nurseries, said some of her
most sought-after apple varieties include traditional varieties such
as Red and Yellow Delicious, Jonathan and Gala.
For sweet cherries, she said Black Tartarian, Royal Anne, Sam and
Stella are popular. The Montmorency tart cherry also is in demand.
Van Well said Sunset Bing, which ripens about 25 days after Bing,
is a sweet cherry that will attract growers’ attention this
year.
“It’s popular because of the timing,” he said. “It’s
later than other varieties.”
Early Robin is another sweet cherry that appeals to growers, Renick
said.
“There’s not that many on the market,” he said.
“Growers see something new and want to try it.”
For peaches, Leuthardt said the traditional Red Haven, Golden Jubilee
and Elberta remain popular. She said the white-fleshed peach Belle
of Georgia also is a top seller.
Van Well agreed Red Haven and Elberta are still in demand, and he
added O’ Henry to that list.
He’s also happy with peaches from the Flamin’ Fury and
Stellar programs. He said PF 24-007 is one of the best varieties for
Flamin’ Fury. He named Coral Star the most popular in the Stellar
program.
“For the programs, the fruit is really attractive,” Van
Well said. “It has very good quality so it holds up well for
packing and shipping.”
Van Well said growers also need to make sure they get their orders
in as early as possible this year, especially for cherries and the
newer apple varieties. His popular Sunset Bing variety is sold out
until 2007.
He said nurseries are “trying to catch up” now that prices
have been stabilized for a couple years after some poor price years.
“The more advanced planning, the better. The nurseries will
better fit the growers needs,” Van Well said.
Leuthardt and Renick agreed ordering early is a necessity for growers.
Renick said 2005 availability is poor.
“Are we going to get a lot of trees back? I don’t know,”
he said.
