Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/459886
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 15, 2015 25 to describe the effect of the environment on the fruit), cooling marine influence, and complexity to describe his fruit. "Just like Napa and Sonoma produce higher quality red wines than those grown in the Central Valley, the same is true of stone fruit grown here," he said. The cool nights allow trees to respire and fruit can stay on the tree longer, retain sugar and acidity, and develop rich, complex flavors. UNIQUE varieties A ndy Mariani of Andy's Orchard has a variety list as long as some nurseries. He grows about 150 varieties of cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots to sell through his on-farm store and selected markets. But he has another collection of some 300 varieties of stone fruit, which may be one of the largest private collections in the country. The collection includes heirloom and spe- cialty varieties, some used for research and development, and some kept just for the sake of diversity. He's also bred and developed several of his own varieties specifically adapted for his climate, such as his Kit Donnell peach. "My signature fruit is the Baby Crawford, a peach that's small but with juicy, melting tex- ture that consumers go crazy over," he said. Baby Crawford, a variety from the breeding program at University of California, Davis, was rejected because it had poor color and was too small for commercial growers. "I grow a lot of Baby Crawford," said Mariani. "Customers love it, and I can't keep it on the shelves." The Kit Donnell is an off- spring of Baby Crawford. With a later harvest date than its parents, Kit Donnell helps extend his market window. Mariani develops his new varieties through a local hybridizing group that includes local fruit society members, Master Gardeners, and members of California Rare Fruit Growers, an association of fruit-growing enthusiasts. Volunteers help with breeding and making crosses, planting seedlings, pruning trees in the trial, and evaluating fruit. The Rare Fruit group helps fund the breeding work and maintain the small experimental plot. "Flavor is our only criteria when evaluat- ing," he said, noting that it takes about eight years to finalize a new variety. Last year, the group crossed Silver Logan, the best white peach in Andy's Orchard, with several different nectarine selections. Out of 50 to 60 seedlings from the crosses, they should find one that will expand the season on either side of Silver Logan, he says. The group also is working to develop red-fleshed nectarines. —M. Hansen PHOTOS BY DAVID KARP Andy Mariani's fruit collection includes this heirloom apricot Alameda Hemskirke discussed in a California news account in 1887. Greengage plums, originally from France, were imported into England in 1724 by Sir William *DJH&RORQLVWVZHUHWKH¼UVWWRJURZWKHPLQ the United States. Greengages were also grown in the plantations of American presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Andy Mariani is one of few U.S. growers who grow the green plums commercially. These are the Cambridge Greengage variety. PHOTOS BY DAVID KARP Apricot harvest time at Andy's Orchard. Some of the older or unusual stone fruit varieties grown at Andy's Orchard include: Alameda Hemskirke apricot Blenheim apricot Black Tartarian cherry Black Republican cherry Panamint nectarine White Rose nectarine Dixon peach Elberta peach Pallas peach Gold Dust peach Elephant Heart plum Inca plum Padre plum Greengage plum Mirabelle plum