Cultivar 154: Waneta

Waneta is a large Hansen hybrid plum, a Japanese plum x native plum cross, bred in South Dakota. It is remembered as one of the standout hardy plums from N. E. Hansen's program. Sources describe it as a full sister of Kahinta and Tawena, with Apple plum as the female parent and Terry as the male parent. Apple plum was a large Japanese variety from Luther Burbank. Terry was described as a notably large native Prunus americana plum from H. A. Terry of Iowa. Hansen wrote that Waneta seemed to combine the best qualities of native and Japanese plums, and later summaries repeated that view. [S1] [S4] [S5] [S6]

Sources place its introduction in 1912 or 1913. Hansen's earlier breeding report says it was introduced in spring 1912 and shown at the South Dakota State Fair at Huron in September 1912. Later bulletins and summaries usually give 1913. Waneta was also described as probably the largest selection from a seedling population of more than 10,000, which helps explain why it remained one of the best known plums from this breeding line. Its name was tied to Waneta, a Yanktonais boy from the James River country who later became a noted chief after the War of 1812. [S4] [S1] [S5]

Sources repeatedly praised the fruit for its size. Contemporary descriptions give plums about two inches across and about two ounces in weight, and later prairie orchard notes still call the fruit very large. Color descriptions agree on a strong red finish. One later source describes yellow skin mostly overlaid with dark red and a medium bloom. The flesh was described as deep yellow, juicy, sweet, and of good quality. Hansen said the skin was free from acerbity and the flavor was delicious. Waneta was later used as a size benchmark, with other hybrids described as not as large as Waneta. [S4] [S5] [S6]

Waneta seems to have been valued both for fresh use and for kitchen use, though the emphasis shifts by source. Hansen stressed its dessert quality and lack of skin harshness. A prairie orchard note rates it good in quality but only fair for cooking. The season is early, with one prairie source placing it in early September. [S4] [S6]

The tree was described as a very strong grower, spreading, vigorous, and very productive. Hansen called it an early and persistent annual bearer and reported that it had already borne for four successive years by the time of his early account. Prairie orchard notes from Morden add that it proved hardy there, which is important northern evidence beyond its South Dakota origin. Extension guidance in South Dakota also listed Waneta among Hansen plums recommended for all zones, including the colder prairie parts of the state. [S4] [S6] [S2]

Waneta belongs to an important line of hardy prairie plum breeding. It is part of the Japanese plum x native plum group and was grouped with Kahinta and Tawena as sister varieties. Tawena was later described as a full sister and an anagrammatic companion name, while Waneta and Kahinta were recalled at the 1920 Iowa State Fair as by far the largest plums on exhibition. In prairie fruit history, Waneta mattered because it showed how far size and quality could be pushed without losing the hardiness of native plum blood. [S1] [S5] [S4] [S6]

Summary source basis

• S1: New Hardy Fruits for the Northwest
• S2: South Dakota Fruit Garden
• S3: Nursery Plants Available from South Dakota Nurseries
• S4: Progress in Plant Breeding
• S5: Plant Introductions
• S6: TreeFruitsGrownInPrairieOrchards WRLeslie 1946 HQ

This summary currently draws chiefly from Plant Introductions, with 6 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“The entry begins with the author's belief that in this variety he combined the best points of the native and the Japanese plum.”
— ^[6]

“Waneta is one of three sister varieties described with Kahinta and Tawena.”
— ^[3]

“Indexed entry with reference to Bulletin 224, page 27.”
— ^[3]

“'Waneta' 2,6,15,20,23,27,32”
— ^[5]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• The pedigree was stated to be the same as Kahinta.
• South Dakota Experiment Station, 1913, Apple plum x Terry.
• Across of the America, a large Japanese plum, with pollen of the Terry, the largest native plum.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• WANETA. This is the largest of all the Hansen Hybrid Plums. It is a 2-inch, 2-ounce plum, and of very strong growth in nursery.Northern novelties for 1921 : some new fruits, ornamentals, etc., p3
• WANETA. This is the largest of all the Hansen Hybrid Plums. It is a 2-inch, 2-ounce plum, and of very strong growth in nursery.Northern novelties for 1921 : some new fruits, ornamentals, etc., p3
• WANETA. This is the largest of all the Hansen Hybrid Plums. It is a 2-inch, 2-ounce plum, and of very strong growth in nursery.Northern novelties for 1921 : some new fruits, ornamentals, etc., p3
• WANETA. This is the largest of all the Hansen Hybrid Plums. It is a 2-inch, 2-ounce plum, and of very strong growth in nursery.Northern novelties for 1921 : some new fruits, ornamentals, etc., p3

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context