What We Do
Our Offering
Since the 1960s, the Zaiger family in Modesto, California, has been pioneering cutting-edge deciduous stone fruit varieties coveted worldwide.
We hold the exclusive license to import and market these innovative varietals. Our seasoned team carefully selects for commercialisation in South Africa, only those varieties that promise exceptional returns and are ideally suited to our local conditions.
Our Process
Breeding
0-1 Years
Each year, Zaiger’s Inc. Genetics cultivates tens of thousands of new fruit tree seedlings, each resulting from a carefully controlled cross of two parent trees chosen from their vast inventory of breeding stock.
Their expert geneticists meticulously identify and single out promising new varieties from the primary seedling blocks for further assessment. These selected varieties are then propagated onto rootstocks in secondary orchards.
During our yearly visit to Modesto, we carefully identify and “cherry-pick” the most promising varieties from these secondary orchards for importation into South Africa.
Quarantine
2-3 Years
The selected varieties are imported in the form of hardwood cuttings and dispatched to the South African Quarantine facilities located in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
At these facilities, the hardwood cuttings are propagated onto rootstocks where they undergo a thorough inspection process lasting between 2 to 3 years. During this time, the plants undergo rigorous pest and disease phytosanitary tests to ensure the material is free of any contaminants.
Nursery Propagation
3-5 Years
Once the mother or nucleus plants have been cleared by the quarantine station, we receive material in the form of hardwood cuttings from quarantine plants. These newly released cuttings are then budded onto appropriate rootstocks at selected licensed nurseries.
In partnership with growers, we’ve established several dedicated evaluation sites covering all climatic regions across South Africa. Depending on the varieties’ chill requirement and growers’ preferences, we oversee the planting of trial trees in small numbers at these evaluation sites.
Nearly five years after making the initial selections in California, we can finally commence the evaluation process in South Africa.
Evaluation and Adaptability Studies
4-8 Years
We meticulously evaluate the trial trees over several years, observing all phenological stages and, ultimately, the fruit harvested from these trees to ensure the varieties are well-suited to the climate. Throughout the life of the trial trees, detailed evaluation notes are recorded, contributing to an extensive database. This data encompasses various aspects such as growth habit, bearing habits, bloom dates, blooming density, yield potential, and other traits equally important as the quality of the fruit itself.
Weekly, throughout the season, we showcase fruit samples harvested from the evaluation trees. Producers, exporters, and supermarkets are invited to see, taste, and feel the fruit firsthand. Our expert team is readily available to answer questions and provide guidance on our products.
Commercialisation
9-10 Years
Upon successful evaluation over several years and upon receiving confirmation from a licensed producer expressing their intent to cultivate the variety on a commercial scale, the plant material is multiplied and budded as needed at the licensed nurseries.
Subsequently, the licensed producers plant the nursery trees, care for them until maturity and harvest commercial volumes of fruit for both export and local markets.
The process continues
Year after year, we continue with the process ensuring an endless cycle of innovation, growth and improvement.
Thanks to the ongoing and successful development of new deciduous fruit varieties by Zaiger’s Inc. Genetics, we stay at the forefront of the fruit production industry. This enables us to offer South African growers fresh and innovative varieties annually, ensuring they can sustain their competitive edge in the market.
Breeding
0-1 Years
Each year, Zaiger’s Inc. Genetics cultivates tens of thousands of new fruit tree seedlings, each resulting from a carefully controlled cross of two parent trees chosen from their vast inventory of breeding stock.
Their expert geneticists meticulously identify and single out promising new varieties from the primary seedling blocks for further assessment. These selected varieties are then propagated onto rootstocks in secondary orchards.
During our yearly visit to Modesto, we carefully identify and “cherry-pick” the most promising varieties from these secondary orchards for importation into South Africa.
Quarantine
2-3 Years
The selected varieties are imported in the form of hardwood cuttings and dispatched to the South African Quarantine facilities located in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
At these facilities, the hardwood cuttings are propagated onto rootstocks where they undergo a thorough inspection process lasting between 2 to 3 years. During this time, the plants undergo rigorous pest and disease phytosanitary tests to ensure the material is free of any contaminants.
Nursery Propagation
3-5 Years
Once the mother or nucleus plants have been cleared by the quarantine station, we receive material in the form of hardwood cuttings from quarantine plants. These newly released cuttings are then budded onto appropriate rootstocks at selected licensed nurseries.
In partnership with growers, we’ve established several dedicated evaluation sites covering all climatic regions across South Africa. Depending on the varieties’ chill requirement and growers’ preferences, we oversee the planting of trial trees in small numbers at these evaluation sites.
Nearly five years after making the initial selections in California, we can finally commence the evaluation process in South Africa.
Evaluation and Adaptability Studies
4-8 Years
We meticulously evaluate the trial trees over several years, observing all phenological stages and, ultimately, the fruit harvested from these trees to ensure the varieties are well-suited to the climate. Throughout the life of the trial trees, detailed evaluation notes are recorded, contributing to an extensive database. This data encompasses various aspects such as growth habit, bearing habits, bloom dates, blooming density, yield potential, and other traits equally important as the quality of the fruit itself.
Weekly, throughout the season, we showcase fruit samples harvested from the evaluation trees. Producers, exporters, and supermarkets are invited to see, taste, and feel the fruit firsthand. Our expert team is readily available to answer questions and provide guidance on our products.
Commercialisation
9-10 Years
Upon successful evaluation over several years and upon receiving confirmation from a licensed producer expressing their intent to cultivate the variety on a commercial scale, the plant material is multiplied and budded as needed at the licensed nurseries.
Subsequently, the licensed producers plant the nursery trees, care for them until maturity and harvest commercial volumes of fruit for both export and local markets.
The process continues
Year after year, we continue with the process ensuring an endless cycle of innovation, growth and improvement.
Thanks to the ongoing and successful development of new deciduous fruit varieties by Zaiger’s Inc. Genetics, we stay at the forefront of the fruit production industry. This enables us to offer South African growers fresh and innovative varieties annually, ensuring they can sustain their competitive edge in the market.