A Family Organized to Improve Fruit Worldwide
Many of Dave Wilson Nursery's most outstanding fruit varieties have been developed by Zaiger's Inc. Genetics of Modesto, California - a Family Organized to Improve Fruit Worldwide. Floyd and Betty Zaiger, joined by their daughter Leith Gardner and sons Gary and Grant, have achieved global prominence for their robust fruit and rootstock breeding program.
Zaiger varieties introduced over the last four decades have made important contributions to both commercial and home garden fruit culture in the U.S. and abroad. Zaiger varieties produce millions of boxes of fruit each year in the U.S., Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South America.

Agricultural research agencies, nurseries and growers in more than a dozen countries around the world have entered into contracts with Zaiger's Genetics to receive new selections as they are released. Dave Wilson Nursery is proud of its privileged position as licensor and primary propagator of varieties developed by Zaiger's Inc. Genetics.
In recognition of his contributions to varietal improvement, Floyd Zaiger has received numerous prestigious awards over the years including the Wilder Medal from the American Pomological Society (1995), an Award of Distinction (1999) and Distinguished Achievement award (2001) from the University of California, and the Horticultural Achievement award from the California Association of Nurseries (2001). In 1997, the French government advanced Floyd from Chevalier (awarded in 1981) to Officier in the Order du Merit Agricole, equivalent to receiving knighthood in the U.K. In 2004, Floyd Zaiger was inducted into the Stanislaus County Hall of Fame.
A Prolific Program

Innovative Technicians
A Leader in White-Fleshed and Low Acid Varieties
Rootstocks
History

Zaiger Varieties Today (1993/2009)

- varieties with low winter chilling requirements,
- dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties,
- dwarfing rootstocks and extremely vigorous semi-dwarfing rootstocks,
- nematode and disease-resistant rootstocks,
- extra-early and extra-late-ripening varieties,
- low acid/high flavor white-fleshed peaches and nectarines,
- low acid/high flavor experimental varieties,
- Asian and European pear hybrids,
- apples, red pears, canning clingstone peaches,
- prunes with improved dry-away and very high sugar content,
- canning and drying apricots,
- extra-large and very-late-shipping apricots, and
- fruiting varieties with enhanced ornamental qualities such as showy double flowers.
Nursery Sources of Zaiger Varieties
See the Zaiger Fruit collection and Zaiger Interspecifics.