Honey Sun® Yellow Flesh Nectarine Variety Data Sheet
-
Fruit flesh color: Yellow
-
Skin color: Dark red, very deep and shiny
-
Size and shape: Good size (2A), round
-
Tree Size: Medium vigor, semi-spreading habit
-
Fruit Maturity: Approximately 8 days after the Big Glory® variety
-
Fruit taste: Very good taste quality, sweet, "Honey" type, sweet and aromatic
-
Earliness of the variety: Early
-
Disease resistance and storage: Good post-harvest performance
-
Variety yield: Production potential of approximately 30 to 35 tonnes/hectare
-
Is this variety self-fertile? Yes
-
Commercial use: Primarily for fresh consumption
-
Is this a COV variety? Yes
-
Comments: Adapted to southern areas (southern France), part of the "Honey" series developed by Zaiger Genetics, early flowering, requires careful summer pruning to optimize production.
Quick read / the essentials on Honey Sun® Nectarine
Honey Sun® is a yellow-fleshed nectarine variety developed by Zaiger Genetics in the HONEY ZEE® line, renowned for its superior taste qualities. With a high sugar content of up to 12° Brix, this sweet, juicy, and intensely aromatic fruit is ideal for fresh consumption, particularly in high-end markets. Its large size (2A to AA-A), glossy dark red skin, and good post-harvest stability make Honey Sun® an attractive and sustainable fruit.
At Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , this variety is offered in a package designed for professionals looking for precocity, quality and performance. Harvesting takes place approximately eight days after Big Glory®, or early to mid-July depending on the region, extending the commercial window for early varieties. The tree's behavior (semi-erect habit, controlled vigor, compactness) facilitates cultivation, particularly for farms geared towards intensive or semi-intensive orchards.
Buying Honey Sun® nectarine plants from Arboriverse means access to certified plants, compatible with the main rootstocks such as GF 677, Cadaman®, Montclar® or Rubira, depending on your soil type and your management objectives. Self-fertile, Honey Sun® allows simplified orchard management and a good yield (up to 30 T/ha), with fruits of 25 to 68 kg per adult tree. For crops oriented towards high-end fresh consumption, trust a wholesale supplier specializing in nectarine plants . Buying Honey Sun® nectarine plants means choosing aroma, quality and competitiveness.
Introducing the Honey Sun® yellow-fleshed nectarine variety
The Honey Sun® variety comes from the California-based Zaiger Genetics breeding program, renowned for creating fruit varieties with high flavor. This yellow-fleshed nectarine belongs to the "Honey" series, known for its very sweet and aromatic fruits. Protected by a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC), its propagation and marketing are subject to authorization.
Fruit characteristics
Honey Sun® fruits are distinguished by their excellent taste and attractive appearance. The yellow flesh is sweet, juicy, and fragrant, with a typical "Honey" or "Honey Zee" flavor profile. The high sugar content reaches a Brix level of approximately 12, which contributes to its sweet and intense aroma.
The size is mostly category 2A or AA-A, positioning Honey Sun® among the large-fruited varieties. The skin is dark red, very deep and shiny, giving a very attractive commercial appearance. The shape is round and regular, and the firmness of the fruit, coupled with a slow evolution after harvest, offers good prospects for conservation and transport.
Earliness and production schedule
Honey Sun® is an early-maturing variety. Its harvest occurs approximately eight days after Big Glory®, which generally corresponds to early to mid-summer in southern growing areas. This early maturity can be a strategic advantage in the markets, allowing for early arrival in the season with a quality product.
Flowering is relatively late, a positive point in regions exposed to the risk of spring frosts.
Agronomic behavior
The tree exhibits notable vigor, with a semi-erect habit and compact growth. It is recommended to accompany the training with specific pruning, simultaneously establishing the scaffolds and sub-stems. The tree is described as productive and robust.
Although no mature height is specified, it should be noted that this compactness facilitates cultivation and harvesting. The variety is self-fertile, which simplifies monoculture orchard management, although cross-pollination can improve yield.
Resistances and sensitivities
Honey Sun® is generally robust and exhibits good general disease resistance. However, sources do not detail its tolerance to specific diseases such as peach leaf curl or brown rot. Similarly, no specific data are available on its pest resistance, although nectarine trees are generally susceptible to aphids and require regular monitoring.
Information on resistance to drought, limestone, or root asphyxiation is limited. The choice of rootstock is therefore a key lever for adapting the variety to the different French soil and climate constraints.
Compatible rootstocks
Several rootstocks are possible depending on the nature of the soil:
-
GF 677 : vigorous, suitable for calcareous and dry soils.
-
Cadaman® Avimag : resistant to root asphyxiation, ideal for heavy soils.
-
Montclar® : efficient in humid and infertile soils.
-
Julior® Ferdor : semi-vigorous, versatile.
-
Rubira : suitable for calcareous and poor soils, good resistance to bacterial disease.
The choice of rootstock must be guided by soil analysis and the climatic conditions of the plot.
Performance and business potential
The yield potential of Honey Sun® is estimated at around 30 tonnes per hectare, with a production per tree of between 25 and 68 kg depending on the planting density. Its high taste quality, attractive appearance and precocity make it primarily intended for the fresh consumption market.
These characteristics make it an attractive product for high-end distribution channels, as well as for local and export markets looking for quality, early-ripening fruits.
Crop management advice
Particular attention should be paid to summer pruning to prevent sunburn on the fruit. Good sunlight and careful irrigation are essential to maintain the fruit's taste quality and firmness.
Regulatory aspects
Due to its VOC protection, any propagation or commercialization of Honey Sun® requires the agreement of Zaiger Genetics or its authorized representative in France. It is advisable to check the licensing terms and contractual obligations before establishing professional orchards.
Conclusion
The Honey Sun® yellow-fleshed nectarine variety offers many advantages for professional apple growers and producers in France: high taste quality, attractive appearance, early maturity, self-fertility, and robustness. It is well positioned in the niche of high-value fruits for fresh consumption.
To summarize: Honey Sun® Nectarine
With Honey Sun® , producers have access to a yellow-fleshed nectarine variety designed for taste excellence and commercial performance. This sweet (12° Brix), juicy, fragrant and generously sized fruit (2A and above) offers a remarkable presentation thanks to its very shiny dark red skin. It is naturally positioned in the premium fresh consumption segment, for demanding markets, whether local, export or in specialized channels. Its precocity, approximately eight days after Big Glory®, constitutes a strategic asset to gain visibility on shelves from the beginning of summer.
Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of nectarine plants , recommends this variety to producers wishing to promote the "Honey" range in their orchards. With a late flowering (limiting the risk of frost), a vigorous but compact tree and a strong adaptability to soils via rootstocks such as GF 677, Rubira or Montclar®, Honey Sun® meets the expectations of professionals seeking reliability, simplicity and quality. The yield potential reaches up to 30 tonnes per hectare in good growing conditions.
Buying Honey Sun® nectarine plants from Arboriverse means benefiting from the support of a specialist nectarine plant wholesale supplier who understands the challenges of the sector, from varietal choice to marketing requirements. We support you in adapting this variety to your regional and technical constraints. Whether you are aiming for high added value or agronomic performance, buying Honey Sun® nectarine plants is a reliable and strategic investment for a modern and profitable orchard.
