Honey Flame® Yellow Flesh Nectarine Variety Data Sheet
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Fruit flesh color: Yellow
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Skin color: Bright red to garnet red
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Size and Shape: Large size (2A/A), round to slightly oval in shape
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Tree size: Strong vigor, semi-erect habit
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Fruit Maturity: Early to seasonal, about 3 to 5 days after Honey Blaze
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Fruit taste: Very good taste qualities, soft and aromatic, very sweet (Brix 13 to 16)
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Earliness of the variety: Early to seasonal
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Fruiting period Beginning of June (southern France) to end of July/beginning of August depending on the region
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Disease resistance and storage: Good fruit retention after harvest. Susceptibility to common nectarine diseases not specified in detail.
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Variety yield: Very good productivity (around 35 to 40 tonnes/hectare)
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes
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Commercial use: Mainly for fresh consumption
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Is this a COV variety? Yes
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Comments: Variety belonging to the Honey Zee® series developed by Zaiger Genetics. Well adapted to all production areas. Easy to manage. Requires thinning for good size.
Quick read / the essentials on Honey Flame® Nectarine
Honey Flame® , a yellow-fleshed nectarine from the renowned HONEY range, is a high-value early variety developed by Zaiger Genetics in California. Its 2A/A size (67 to 73 mm) fruits are round to slightly oval, with a glossy garnet-red skin covering up to 100% of the surface. The yellow flesh is firm, juicy and intensely sweet, with a sugar level reaching 13 to 16° Brix. This rich taste, combined with an excellent presentation, positions Honey Flame® as a benchmark on the fresh market.
At Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , we support growers who want to structure their harvest schedule from the beginning of June. Honey Flame® is harvested 3 to 5 days after Honey Blaze®, and before Honey Royale, ideally fitting into a sequence of high-value varieties. The tree, vigorous and semi-erect, is self-fertile and well-suited to southern growing systems. Its good post-harvest behavior and firmness allow for excellent commercial logistics.
Buying Honey Flame® nectarine plants from Arboriverse guarantees successful planting with certified plants, advice on the choice of rootstock (GF 677, Cadaman®, Montclar, Rootpac® 20) and tailor-made technical support. As a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , we provide our customers with strategic support to effectively integrate Honey Flame® into a range of premium nectarines. Buying Honey Flame® nectarine plants means choosing a variety that is productive, aesthetically pleasing and tastes impeccable.
Origin and varietal protection
The Honey Flame® variety is a yellow-fleshed nectarine tree native to California , selected by the renowned breeder Zaiger Genetics . It is part of the HONEY range , renowned for its high taste qualities and consistent production. This variety is protected by a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC) , with International Plant Selection (IPS) as publisher in Europe. Any commercial exploitation in France therefore requires a license authorization.
Fruit characteristics
Honey Flame® is known for its large fruits, classified 2A/A , with an average diameter of 67 to 73 mm . Their shape is round to slightly oval , regular, with a bowl at the top which facilitates packaging.
The skin has a very bright garnet red color , covering between 80 and 100% of the fruit's surface . It is thick and not very punctuated , offering an excellent presentation on the stalls.
The flesh is yellow , firm, juicy, sweet and aromatic , with a high sugar content . The Brix level is generally around 13 to 16 , making it a highly valued variety for its sugar-acidity balance and consistent taste qualities .
Post-harvest storage and handling
Although little precise information is available, the high firmness of the fruits suggests good post-harvest stability . This characteristic is ideal for fresh marketing , in long or short circuits.
Maturity period and harvest schedule
Honey Flame® is an early-ripening seasonal variety , typically harvested in early June in the south of France . It ripens approximately 3 days after Zee Glo , 5 days after Honey Blaze , and 8 days before Honey Royale , giving it a strategic position in the HONEY range's production schedule .
Tree and vegetative behavior
The tree displays strong vigor and a semi-erect habit . It is also described as basitone , which means that it tends to develop its branches from the base. This makes it easy to train but requires careful pruning to balance the structure .
The tree's adult height is estimated at 3 to 4 meters , with a width of 2 to 3 meters . It is recommended to stake it during the first two to three years , especially in windy areas.
Fertility and pollination
Honey Flame® is self-fertile , meaning it does not require the presence of another variety to produce fruit. However, the presence of complementary varieties in the orchard environment can improve cross-pollination and optimize yields.
Resistance and health behavior
No specific data were found regarding disease or pest resistance, but nectarine trees are generally susceptible to peach leaf curl, brown rot, and aphids . A preventative strategy, including copper treatments and rigorous health monitoring, is strongly recommended .
Concerning resistance to drought , limestone or root asphyxiation , no particularity is specified. As for other nectarine trees, well-drained, low-limestone soils and regular watering during the fruiting period are recommended.
Rootstocks recommended in France
To maximize the development and adaptation of Honey Flame® in French orchards, the following rootstocks are recommended :
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GF 677 : high vigor, tolerant of limestone and dry soils.
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Cadaman® Avimag : very vigorous, suitable for replanting and wet soils.
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Montclar® : moderate vigor, good affinity with most French soils.
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Rootpac® 20 : dwarfing, suitable for high-density or intensively cultivated orchards.
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Myrobalan Plum : for heavy or wet soils.
The choice will depend on the type of soil, the driving method and the business objectives .
Economic potential
Honey Flame® is very productive , with a yield potential of between 35 and 40 tonnes/ha , or between 20 and 40 kg per adult tree depending on the cultivation system and planting density. Its regular production and high-value fruit make it a profitable variety for the fresh market.
It is particularly well positioned for demanding distribution channels , whether local or export , thanks to its visual quality , its firmness , and its aromatic richness .
Recommended commercial use
The main use is fresh consumption , targeting consumers looking for sweet, juicy and aesthetic nectarines. Although not explicitly intended for processing, its characteristics (high Brix, good firmness) may be suitable for artisanal jam making or pastry making .
Conclusion
Honey Flame® stands out as a safe bet among yellow-fleshed nectarines , both for its taste quality and its commercial presentation . Its early positioning in the HONEY range , its firmness and its high production potential make it an interesting option for growers wishing to structure their harvest schedule while maintaining high standards in terms of fruit quality .
This variety is perfectly adapted to the southern areas of France , but can also be suitable for other areas subject to a good choice of rootstock and appropriate agronomic management.
To summarize: Honey Flame® Nectarine
Honey Flame® is an early nectarine variety with yellow flesh, perfectly suited to southern France. With its large fruit size (2A/A), uniform garnet-red skin, and high-sugar flesh (up to 16° Brix), it meets the expectations of the most demanding fresh markets. Harvesting begins in early June, positioning Honey Flame® as one of the first in the HONEY range, ideal for opening the season with a visually appealing and flavorful nectarine.
Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , recommends Honey Flame® to growers looking to capitalize on early-maturing crops with a consistent, robust, and profitable variety. The tree is vigorous, self-fertile, and adapted to various soil types using proven rootstocks such as GF 677 or Montclar. With careful management and rigorous thinning, Honey Flame® can achieve yields of 35 to 40 T/ha, while maintaining premium-quality fruit.
Buying Honey Flame® nectarine plants from a specialist nectarine plant wholesaler like Arboriverse means investing in a variety known for its agronomic and commercial performance. Buying Honey Flame® nectarine plants means guaranteeing a strategic place in a sequenced harvest program geared towards fruit excellence.
