'Luna' - the juicy sweet moons
'Luna' - a late dessert selection suitable especially for integrated production but also for organic conditions and private gardens. Its growing requirements and some of other traits are similar to those of the traditional 'Golden Delicious' except for resistance to scab that gives 'Luna' an advantage. Its fruit is rather large, with a firm, crisp, fine-grained texture, high in juice and sugar, and you can store it for many months.
Parents
'Topaz' × 'Golden Delicious'
Plant variety rights
Community Plant Variety Rights EU 22063 (granted 07.04.2008)
United States Plant Patent US PP16,084 P2 (granted 01.11.2005 as 'UEB 3375/2')
Plant Variety Rights in New Zealand NZ 30978 (granted 30.07.2014 as 'UEB 33752')
Plant Variety Rights in Ukraine UA 110599 (granted 28.12.2011)
Health
monogenic resistance to scab, moderate tolerance to powdery mildew
Growth
tree type ramified, drooping, vigour strong, bearing on spurs only, diploid
Blossom
mid-season, one day before 'Golden Delicious'
Ripening
early to mid-October (with 'Golden Delicious')
Fruit size & shape
size medium to large, shape globose, ribbing weak, stalk thin and long
Fruit colour
ground colour yellow-green (turns yellow during storage), over colour occassionally light orange blush (pattern solid flush), russet free
Fruit quality & taste
flesh yellowish, firm, crisp, fine-grained, very juicy, flavour good, aromatic, with well-balanced sugar/acid ratio, sugar content 13.5° Brix
Productivity
similar to 'Golden Delicious', light fruit thinning recommended
Storability
in cold storage until March, in ULO (Ultra-Low Oxygen) conditions until June
Notes
consumption maturity 3 weeks after picking