US Plant Patent PP18734
Royal Ruby
Nectarine tree named ‘Royal Ruby’
UNDER PATENT
Still under patent. Protection ends November 21, 2026.
No term adjustment or disclaimer is recorded against this patent, so this is the full statutory term — twenty years from the filing date.

The record
- Patent number
- PP18734
- Filed
- November 21, 2006
- Granted
- April 15, 2008
- Expires
- November 21, 2026
- Inventor
- ZAIGER GARY NEIL; GARDNER LEITH MARIE; ZAIGER GRANT GENE
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 1. The tree having a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 300 hours at or below 45° F. 2. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 3. Vigorous, upright tree growth. 4. Fruit ripening in the early maturity season. 5. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality. 6. Heavy and regular production of fruit.
Show the legal claimThe single numbered claim as granted — the legal text that defines what this patent covers.
1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica var. nucipersica ), substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, upright growth, a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 300 hours at or below 45° F., being a productive and regular bearer of large, yellow, flesh, clingstone fruit with good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh with an attractive red skin color and good handling and shipping quality.
Read the full patent: US Plant Patent PP18734 in full — the complete specification, every figure, and the file history.