Nectarine tree named ‘Honey Royale’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica var. nucipersica ), which has the following unique combination of desirable features, that are outstanding in a new variety. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on Nemaguard Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil, with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization: 1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 2. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color. 3. Fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality. 4. Fruit having firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 5. Produces relatively uniform large, yellow flesh, freestone fruit throughout the tree. 6. Fruit holding firm on the tree for 2 weeks after maturity (shipping ripe). 7. Vigorous, upright growth.

We claim:  
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, which is of large size, vigorous upright growth and a regular bearer of large, yellow flesh fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh with good storage and shipping quality, holding firm on the tree for two weeks after maturity (shipping ripe) and, in comparison to Honey Kist Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,333), which has a similar mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor, the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 25 days later in maturity.