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Chris "Floyd" Zaiger (April 26, 1926 – June 2, 2020) was an American fruit breeder particularly known for hybrid development of stone fruit and numerous plant patents. Zaiger founded Zaiger's Genetics, a fruit-breeding business in Modesto, California, which is now an international business selling cultivars and hybrids. Zaiger developed varieties such as the pluot, and has been called "the most prolific stone fruit breeder in the modern era."

Early life and education

Chris Floyd Zaiger was born to Christian Fredrick Zaiger and Anna Marie Zaiger on April 26, 1926, in Kennard, Nebraska. The family moved to Iowa and then Oregon, before coming to California's San Joaquin Valley. Zaiger earned a degree in plant pathology and agricultural education in 1952 from the University of California, Davis. He taught agriculture classes at Modesto city high schools, Livingston High School, and Modesto Junior College.

Career

In 1954, Zaiger and wife Betty purchased a 2.5 acre nursery and began breeding heat-tolerant azaleas as a hobby. The family-owned company Zaiger Genetics cross-pollinates by hand, rather than gene-splicing or DNA manipulation, to develop new hybrids. As of 2020, they have patented 446 plant varieties.

Zaiger's first patented varieties were the Royal Gold peach, introduced in 1965, and ‘Crimson Gold’ nectarine.

Personal life

Zaiger married Betty Jean Taylor in 1950 and they had three children Leith, Gary, and Grant. Zaiger died at his home in Modesto, California on June 2, 2020.

  • 1997 Awarded rank of Officier, Ordre du Mérite Agricole
  • 1999 Alumni Award of Distinction award from UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

References

Further reading

  • About Zaiger Genetics
  • Interview with Floyd Zaiger The man who introduced the Kiwi (Internet Archive Audio)