'Honey Red’, an Early Maturing Japanese Plum

Abstract

‘Honey Red’, a Japanese plum ( Prunus salicinaLindl.), originated from a cross between ‘Oishiwase’ and ‘Santa Rosa’ made in 1992 at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI) of the Rural Development Administration (RDA) in Korea. It was first selected as 92Oishiwase*SantaRosa43-2 in 1997 for its high fruit quality with attractive appearance for a very early ripening cultivar. After evaluating the characteristics of the tree and fruit compared with those of ‘Oishiwase’, a leading Japanese plum in Korea, it was named as ‘Honey Red’ in 2002. It blooms two days later than ‘Oishiwase’. ‘Honey Red’ has severe self-incompatibility. Therefore, crosscompatible cultivars such as ‘Soldam’, ‘Formosa’ and ‘Akihime’ that bloom simultaneously need to be interplanted in commercial orchards to ensure consistent fruit set. The tree is moderately vigorous and productive. ‘Honey Red’ is more susceptible than ‘Oishiwase’ to bacterial leaf spot ( Xanthomonas campestris pv. pruni[Smith] Dye). The fruit ripens in early July at Suwon, similar to that of ‘Oishiwase’. The fruit is round and skin color is bright red. Fruit weight averages 60 g and soluble solids content 12.5 °Brix. The fruit flesh is yellow, marketably firm, sweet and slightly adherent to the pit.