I found this article from LSUag (2001) about the LaSweet, LaRouge & the LaBelle peach that LSU developed, but can't find anything on the web as where I can find these trees. The "LaSweet" has my mouth watering just thinking about it. I'm a "sugar freak"!!!!!! And the article states that the "LaSweet" has a sugar to acid ratio of 75 to 1 , compared to most peaches with 20 to 1 . So now, if possible, I have to find this tree. Any info or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

THANKS TIM

LaSweet, LaRouge and LaBelle Join List of LSU
AgCenter Peaches
The LaBelle Peach. (Photo by Charlie
Johnson)

The LSU AgCenter has released three new peach varieties, which will be
available commercially in the fall of 2001. Their names match their
characteristics somewhat, says Charlie Johnson, horticulture researcher and
developer of the varieties. LaSweet is low-acid and very sweet. LaRouge has a
bright red skin. And LaBelle is a late-season peach that will extend Louisiana’s
fresh peach season into mid-July.

Johnson calls the white-fleshed
LaSweet, which should ripen the first week in June, an exotic variety. Because
it is low-acid, it almost doesn’t taste like a peach. The sugar to acid ratio is
75 to 1, compared to 20 to 1 for most peaches.

“It will be in demand
because it’s very aromatic and flavorful,” Johnson said. “It’s firmer than most
low-acid peaches but it’s still hard to handle for packing and shipping because
it bruises easily.”

LaRouge’s red color will show up well in the
marketplace. It will ripen about the first of July so will most likely be
promoted as a Fourth of July peach.

“The flesh is yellow, and the peach
is very firm. It will hold up well for picking and packing,” Johnson
said.

LaBelle, pictured in the photo above, should ripen about July 8-10
so will help fill a gap between two popular Louisiana peaches, also recommended
by the LSU AgCenter, LaFeliciana and Dixiland.

The LSU AgCenter has not
released any new peach varieties since 1992, when Gala, Delta and Glory became
available.

Developing a new peach variety takes on average 13 years,
Johnson said. The LSU AgCenter started releasing new varieties in 1969 with
LaPremier.

“LaPremier is still widely grown,” Johnson said. “Peach
varieties stay around for a long time.”

LaSweet, LaRouge and LaBelle are
Nos. 22-24 as the list keeps growing.

Johnson says the next releases
should be in the next two or three years. Waiting in the wings are some more
exotic, white-fleshed varieties.

“The trend is the development of
varieties that can be aimed more at niche markets,” Johnson
said.

Louisiana’s peach industry has not fared well the last few years
with mild winters and surprise freezes during the spring.

“Peaches do
best when the winters are cold – but when spring comes, it stays warm,” Johnson
said.

The three new varieties are best grown in Louisiana’s mid region,
which includes the Baton Rouge through Alexandria area.

Linda Foster Benedict

Last Updated: 9/23/2009 10:36:41 AM