U.S. patent number PP27,867 [Application Number 14/998,806] was granted by the patent office on 2017-04-11 for gala apple tree named `bl-14`.
The grantee listed for this patent is Brandon Lewis. Invention is credited to Brandon Lewis.
United States Patent |
PP27,867 |
Lewis |
April 11, 2017 |
Gala apple tree named `BL-14`
Abstract
A new and distinctive cultivar of Malus domestica `apple`,
variety Gala, that is distinguished by the combination of the
uniqueness of its fruit, bloom and harvest date differences.
Inventors: |
Lewis; Brandon (Wenatchee,
WA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lewis; Brandon |
Wenatchee |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
58460490 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/998,806 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/7418 (20180501); A01H 5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/162 |
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. A new and distinct apple tree cultivar of the variety Gala named
`BL-14` as herein illustrated and described.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus
domestica.
Variety denomination: `BL-14`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In August 2010 while viewing the maturity development of apples in
my `Banning Gala` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,753) apple tree orchard
located at 18998 Marten Road, Quincy, Grant County, Wash. 98848, a
limb mutation of advanced maturity and more intense color
development was discovered on one of these trees. Trees were
asexually propagated at my direction by budding on `M9-RN29`
rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,714) in the fall of 2011 and
planted a cultivated area of my East Wenatchee, Wash. orchard in
2012. Fruit from these second generation trees were identical to
those from the mother limb with respect to maturity dates and
appearance.
Asexual reproduction of this new variety budded onto `M9-RN29`
rootstock in East Wenatchee, Wash. and observation of the resulting
trees growing in East Wenatchee, Wash. has shown that the foregoing
characteristics are firmly fixed and come true to type.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`BL-14` Gala, as shown, exhibits a distinct early maturity date
from other comparison Gala varieties grown in close proximity to
`BL-14`, has an intense coloration and striping pattern in
comparison to the other compared selections, and exhibits higher pH
and lower acid levels than `Gale Gala` (U.S. Plant Pat. No.
10,114), `Banning Gala`, and `Simmons Gala` (U.S. Plant Pat. No.
10,840). Table 1 below contains a comparison of selected properties
of `BL-14` with some other gala varieties.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Table comparing mature fruit indices of
`BL-14` Gala, `Banning Gala`, `Gale Gala`, `Imperial` Gala (not
patented), and `Simmons Gala`. Harvest Run Pres- Bloom Variety Date
Date sure Brix pH Acid* Date `BL-14` Aug. 8, Aug. 9, 18.1 12.5 3.94
2.89 Apr. 18, 2015 2015 2015 `Banning Aug. 17, Aug. 18, 17 14 3.84
3.40 Apr. 17, Gala` 2015 2015 2015 `Gale Aug. 19, Aug. 20, 20.8
15.8 3.74 4.28 Apr. 16, Gala` 2015 2015 2015 `Imperial` Aug. 17,
Aug. 18, 14.5 11 3.93 2.89 Apr. 15, Gala 2015 2015 2015 `Simmons
Aug. 11, Aug. 12, 17.7 13 3.81 3.11 Apr. 20, Gala` 2015 2015 2015
*measured as g/L using 0.1M NaOH.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of typical spur development of my new variety at
the green tip stage.
FIG. 2 is a view of a `BL-14` second generation tree during
bloom.
FIG. 3 is a close up view of blossoms of my new variety at 85% full
bloom.
FIG. 4 is a view of a second generation `BL-14` tree at harvest
maturity.
FIG. 5 is a view of harvested mature fruit from trees of the
`Lewis` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,406).
FIG. 6 is a view comparing mature fruit of my new `BL-14` variety
with, `Banning Gala`, `Gale Gala`, `Simmons Gala` and `Imperial`
Gala (unpatented) fruit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The observations below are from a typical 4th leaf second
generation tree growing on `N9-RN29` rootstock and at the Lewis
orchard, 2820 Grant Rd, East Wenatchee, Douglas County, Wash., USDA
hardiness zone 6b. All color references are from The R.H.S. colour
chart by The Royal Horticultural Society copyright 2001 edition).
Tree: Type.--Spur type with single buds per spur. Training is of
the slender spindle type. The new `BL-14` tree is a consistent
bearer with moderate spur development. Vigor.--Moderate. Overall
shape.--Upright and spreading as trained to slender spindle.
Height.--10 feet. Width.--5 feet. Hardiness.--Hardy for the
Wenatchee, Wash. region. Productivity.--Moderately heavy with
yields of about 32 pounds from 4.sup.th leaf trees on `N9-RN29`
rootstock in Wenatchee, Wash.; and expected to be about 48 to 52
pounds per tree in 6.sup.th leaf. Trunk: Size.--Diameter at a
height of 30 cm above graft union is 3.9 cm. Bark texture.--Smooth.
Bark color.--From the grey-brown group N199A. Lenticels.--Present
and numerous in number averaging twelve per 4 cm.sup.2. Average
width is 1.5 mm, average length is 4.5 mm. Lenticels color.--From
the greyed-orange group 175D in the centers with the margins from
the orange-white group 159A. Branches: First year
branches.--Diameter: At mid-point of growth averages 6.5 mm with a
range of 4.8 to 9.6 mm. Length: Averages 55.2 cm with a range of
30.5 to 81.0 cm. Color: From the brown group 200C. Lenticels: Are
numerous averaging 14 per running cm of growth, are oval in shape
and range from 0.8-0.9.times.1.3-1.5 mm. Color is from the white
group 155B. Branch pubescence: Moderate in density covering 100% of
surface area. Color from the white group 155C. Internodes: Distance
between nodes ranges from 28.3 mm to 39.8 mm with an average of
34.3 mm. Two year old fruiting branches.--Diameter: At mid-point of
growth averages 6.3 mm ranging from 4.4 to 8.6 mm. Bark color is
from the grey-brown group N199C. Spur development: Moderate. Spurs
range in length from 2.8 mm to 8.5 mm in length with an average of
5.2 mm. Will tip bear. Lenticels: Few, averaging 5 per running cm
and are round being 1.4 to 1.7 mm in diameter. Buds: Length ranges
from 8.0 mm to 11.2 mm with an average of 9.6 mm. Diameter ranges
from 4.3 mm to 5.6 mm with an average of 4.8 mm. Scale color is
from the greyed-purple group 184B. Light scale pubescence observed,
color from the white group 155B. Scaffold branches.--Size: Ranges
from 14.8 mm to 20.7 mm in diameter as measured 3 cm from trunk.
Angle: As trained is moderate to flat - ranging from 75 to 90
degrees from vertical. Color: Color is from the grey-brown group
199A. Lenticels: Numerous in number, averaging 7 per 4 cm.sup.2.
Shape and size: Oval, ranging from 0.9 mm to 1.9 mm in width and
1.7 mm to 1.9 mm in length. Lenticels color: Color is from the
yellow-white group 158D. Leaves: Shape.--Acute and upward folding.
Texture.--Upper surface leathery and undulating. Lower surface
smooth with veins protruding. Sheen.--High sheen on upper surface.
Pubescence.--Present on lower surface only, fine and moderate in
density over 100% and color is from the white group 155B.
Length.--Blade length ranges from 8.2 cm to 10.3 cm with an average
of 10.1 cm. Width.--Ranging from 4.3 cm to 6.0 cm with an average
of 5.1 cm. Margin.--Considered serrate, with an occasional
bi-serrate. Tip.--Acuminate. Base.--Rounded. Stipules.--Present, 2
on all leaves. Shape: Subulate -- Length ranges from 9.1 to 14.5 mm
with an average of 12.2 mm; Width ranges from 0.8 to 2.0 mm with an
average of 1.5 mm. Color: Is from the yellow-green group 147A.
Pubescence: Is present on 100% of the lower surface only, light in
quantity, and color from the white group 155B. Leaf color.--Upper
surface from the yellow-green group 147A; Lower surface from the
yellow-green group 147B. Mid-vein.--Prominent with considerable
downiness over entire under surface. Pubescence color from white
group 155A. Width at mid blade averages 1.7 mm. Under and upper
surface vein color is from the yellow-green group 145C. Petiole:
Length.--Ranges from 25.5 to 33.7 mm with an average of 28.5 mm.
Shallow grove running the entire length. Diameter.--Ranges from 2.0
mm to 2.4 mm with an average of 2.2 mm. Color.--Upper and lower
surface color from the yellow-green group 145C; Basal end
high-lighted from the greyed-purple group 185A; Upper surface
groove color from the yellow-green group 185C.
Pubescence.--Abundant with moderatc density over the entire length
and circumference and the color is from the white group 155D.
Flowers: Full bloom date was Apr. 18, 2015 with 2 year average
being April 24; number of blossoms per bud ranges from 5-6 mostly
6. Size.--Considered medium in size. Diameter ranges from 37.7 to
47.9 mm when fully open with an average of 43.5 mm. Petal.--Five in
number. Shape is oblong and cupped inward with tip rolled upward
and inward. Base is rounded and apex is rounded. Width averages
12.3 mm; length averages 19.4 mm. Color: background color is white
(20%), overcolor both upper and lower surfaces is variable in the
red-purple group 62D and 63A. Stamen.--Number ranges from 19 to 20,
mostly 20. Filament.--Length ranges from 3.0 to 9.0 mm with an
average of 6.2 mm. Color is from the yellow group 2C with a basal
highlight from the red group 48A. Anthers.--Kidney shaped that
average 1.7 mm wide.times.2.2 mm long. Color is from the
greyed-yellow group 162D. Pollen is considered moderate in
abundance with color from the greyed-yellow group 162D. Pistil:
Style.--Length ranges from 10.4 mm to 13.7 mm with an average of
12.5 mm. Fused an average of 5.6 mm from base. Color is from the
yellow-green group 145A. Pubescence is light at the base and color
is white group 155B. Stigma.--Clubshaped. Color is from the
yellow-green group 153A. Sepals.--5 per blossom. Shape is
considered thin lanceolate with the tip being acuminate and the
base being truncate. Average length is 9.4 mm and average width is
4.5 mm. Sepal color upper surface is from the yellow-green group
146B, sepal lower surface color from the yellow-green group 146D.
Abundant pubescence is present on both 100% of the upper and lower
surfaces with color from the white group 155B. Peduncle.--Length
ranges from 19.1 mm to 30.8 mm with an average of 25.9 mm. Diameter
ranges from 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm with an average of 1.1 mm. Color is
from the yellow-green group 148A. Considerable white downiness
present over the entire surface with color from the green-white
group 155B. Thalamus depth.--ranges from 3.9 to 4.6 mm with an
average of 4.0 mm. Fruit: Observations and testing from second
generation tree fruit. Form.--Round conical. Equatorial diameter
cross section is mostly regular. Exhibits mild lopsidedness with 5
crowns lightly pronounced. Size.--Medium with a normal crop level.
Averaging 7.6 cm in equatorial diameter and 6.9 cm in axis
diameter. Stem.--Long and medium in thickness. Length ranges from
26.3 mm to 38.1 mm with an average of 32 mm. Diameter ranges from
2.0 mm to 3.1 mm with an average of 2.7 mm. Exhibits moderate
clubbing. No pubescence. Color from the grey-brown group N199D.
Stem cavity.--Average width is 27.9 mm and average depth is 16.1
mm. Cavity shape.--Cone shaped. Lipped.--No. Russet.--No. Basin
cavity.--Is lightly ribbed and sides considered sloping. Average
width is 24.8 mm and average depth is 8.7 mm. Eye.--Erect
convergent; Light white downiness covering 100%; Eye sepal color is
from the yellow-green group 146C. Skin.--Appearance: Washed in
appearance (over 95% of surface area) and smooth, with over
stripping of 30-50% of surface area. Wash under color from the red
group 47A, stripe over color from the red group 46A.
Thickness.--Thin, 0.5 mm in thickness. Texture.--On the brittle but
somewhat tough side. Lenticels.--Present, prominent and evenly
distributed; averaging 8/cm.sup.2; round with size ranging from 1.3
to 1.5 mm in diameter; color is from the white group 155D. Core:
Core position.--Distant. Core line position.--Basal meeting.
Shape.--Flat conical. Length.--Ranges from 23.9 mm to 27.7 mm with
an average of 25.6 mm. Diameter.--Ranges from 34.1 mm to 40.7 mm
with an average of 36.8 mm. Cell.--Tufted: no. Cell Shape:
elliptical. Length averages 16.1 mm, width averages 9.8 mm, wall to
wall depth averages 6.3 mm. Tube.--Cone shaped. Stamen
position.--Median. Axis.--Is axile and open. Seed.--Number: 1-3,
mostly 2. Shape: Mostly obtuse with occasional acute; Length
averages 8.4 mm; Width averages 4.6 mm. Color: From the
greyed-orange group 177A. Flesh.--Crisp, firm, melting, juicy and
mildly subacid. Flavor is apple like. Browning noted 10-15 minutes
following cutting. Color is from the white group 155A.
Aroma.--Mild, apple like. Date of harvest maturity.--Aug. 8, 2015.
Maturity indices.--(Averages). Starch.--Averages 3.5.
Pressure.--20.1. Soluble solids.--12.0. Keeping quality.--Good. Up
to four months in common storage. Pollination: Any diploid apple of
the same bloom season. Use: Desert. Excellent eating quality that
is snappy, juicy, sweet with a very good mild acid balance with a
melting skin. Disease and insect resistance: Is considered to be
susceptible to all insects and diseases found in the region of
Central Washington. Fruit does not exhibit any physiological
disorders on the tree nor during storage for the duration of normal
storage lengths.
* * * * *