Flavorburst peach- one too many r's

Last season I complained about the insipid taste of this peach variety. This year it was one of only two peach varieties on my property to create crop, so it should win a place of affection in my heart- right?

Nope. Because it is the only peach I have to eat right now, its deficient flavor is even more pronounced. Its official name must have come about by way of a typo at the office of the breeding program responsible for its introduction. It was supposed to be called Flavorbust.

Sugar with no acid or peach essence.

6 Likes

Alan,

I put in a couple of these trees in 2012 mainly because Adams carried it, and I thought with a name like FlavrBurst (Officially, they leave out the O, but you’re right they should have left out the R) the peach had to have top notch flavor.

I should have know better since the name really doesn’t contain the word “flavor”, but some word imitating flavor, just like the peach.

I’ve got those two trees marked for removal this year. Not only are they are a sub-acid, but my FlavrBurst get bac. spot something terrible.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2009/summerfest-and-flavrburst-join-ars-peach-variety-offerings/

1 Like

I went to that link as well, and didn’t notice the spelling- thanks. I was glad to see that Summerfest is not in the same category because I have five of them as well. I will have to entirely graft over the FB’s before I can sell them in good conscience. I must have purchased ten Flavorbursts, and not many of my grafts on them took this year. Such a bummer.

The link is not working for me.

I have a distaste for such over-the-top names and feel vindicated by every one thats a flavor bust :grin: Give me an old-fashioned name any day - Salwey, Crawford, O’Henry.

1 Like

Of course, you might not feel that way if you were in the business of creating new varieties and having to market them. Anything that increases the likelihood and speed in which a promising new variety will be adopted by the growers and the public is crucial. Patents don’t really last long.

As you already know.

We will have to rename it FirewdBurst.

2 Likes

Yeah most have to find a nursery to propagate and market, usually how it works. Most nurseries don’t develop anything. Some exceptions with flowers and such. I decided if I happen to develop anything good, I’ll just give it away. unless it’s like an amazing plant that is a real stand out. then I might seek advice to patent. I found a good patent lawyer already. Just by chance. I took his card though!

Man, I’m slow- especially by this time of day. I read that 3 times before I got it.

This thread is funny! How do such trees even make it this far? Somebody must like it? Anybody?
Maybe it’s better commercial ripe?

Sorry for pasting the link above which didn’t work. Don’t know what happened.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090617.htm

That’s a good point. As grown on my property it is really awful, but low acid becomes more attractive as the brix rises, so maybe I can’t get up enough sugar at my site for this peach.

Looks like Adams might be carrying this variety because they had a hand in it’s development.
I got a chuckle at their description of it …
“FlavrBurst is another high-quality freestone peach that has a good amount of sweetness, but is **lower in acidity than typical peach varieties. It may be more suitable for those who cannot tolerate acidic fruits, but still desire a “peachy” flavor…”
Sounds like they’re trying to say something without saying it.

I don’t think that was the original description they gave because I avoid low acid fruit like the plague. Actually, I don’t try to avoid the plague, but if Adam’s sold it I wouldn’t buy it.

1 Like

Ah ha a moment of clarity. Sometimes even my operation can’t get brix high enough to enjoy low acid fruit. But I just picked a puny low acid peach off a drought stressed tree. The brix was 24 and it was marvelous. Best peach of the yr.

Sometimes it’s not the fruit. It’s the growing conditions. Or maybe better put the growing conditions don’t provide what the fruit needs to really shine.

Many climates often can’t get brix high enough to make a good peach unless it has a good acidic kicker. But IME and for my taste even those peaches are better at higher brix.

And a moment of clarity I owe to you, Mr. Obi Wan Kanobrix. May the brix be with you.

3 Likes

Yes I agree with that. This year though was drier than it usually is, way drier, yet brix for me was higher last year? I did water my trees more, but not that much, so I’m at a loss to explain the lower brix? Some trees didn’t produce any fruit this year due to the late freeze, maybe somehow that is a factor? Maybe my trees are just that much more established and found water by themselves?
I’m about to harvest Spice Zee Nectaplum. Which produced more fruit than any tree I have. Maybe 70 nectarines on it.See how the brix is on that one.

That’s a possibility. Haven’t we discussed when water is needed?

A low crop load should increase brix not lower it.

I’ve found it easier to increase brix on nectarines than peaches so maybe SZ will be good.

Yes, but mention it again if you don’t mind? I have a house guest, and he watered the trees while I was gone, I didn’t know till he did it a few times. Probably why the brix is lower.

The tree isn’t too dry until the leaves start to drop. This starts with yellowing, wilting, and then dropping of the oldest leaves.

There is a warning indicator that occurs prior. The tiny growing tips fire and stop growing. So basically if the tree is growing and not dropping leaves it’s not too dry.

1 Like