If the temperatures are below freezing, then the plant can acclimate to the cold and its cold hardiness increases. Cultivation, protection, breeding and biotechnology article pdf available january 2007 with 3,441 reads how we measure reads. Plants grow in an upright form, and depending upon variety, may range from 3 feet to over of 6 feet in height. Meadowlark us plant patent 21,553 figure 5 was released in 2009 by the university of florida. Varieties for 2020 aurora medium berries ripen just slightly after elliot. Highbush blueberry is native to northeastern north america and forms the basis of the blueberry growing industry. How to grow blueberries southern blueberry varieties. Southern highbush cultivars cape fear, gulf coast, oneal and blue ridge. Southern region small fruit consortium crops blueberries.
Plus all of our northern highbush plants are selfpollinating, which is ideal for those with limited growing space. The berries freeze well and retain their quality when frozen. The author addresses various aspects of blueberry management, including how to select new cultivars, pruning techniques, soil preparation and management, harvesting, pest control, and marketing. However, growing blueberry plants in gardens and on farms is a relatively recent occurrence, since breeding and propagation of blueberry plants did not begin until early in the 20th century. Blueberries are a member of the ericaceae or heath family. Southern highbush blueberries are hybrids of the northern highbush blueberry v. One unique feature of plants within this botanical family is that they require acidic soil conditions with ph ranges between 4 to 5 units. Blueberries dont appeal to honeybees, because the flowers have long corollas, and nectaries are deep in the flower, where honeybees tongues cant reach.
Plant at least two different varieties of blueberries for cross pollination to increase yield. In 1976 and 1977, the university of florida blueberry breeding program released three southern highbush blueberry varieties sharpblue, flordablue, and avonblue that were bred specifically for floridas mild climate and showed promise for producing earlyripening, highquality fruit. Highbush and lowbush species are the most common species grown for commercial production so the rest of this summary will focus on these species. In 1976, the university of florida blueberry breeding program released three new southern highbush blueberry varieties which were bred. Highbush blueberry cul tivation and breeding programs, which began in the early 1900s, paved the way for the modern blueberry industry. Extension bulletin e1456, major revision, january 2001 blueberry varieties for michigan jim hancock and eric hanson, department of hortioulturo michigan state university dave trinka, mbg marketing, grand junction, site selection the traditional range for highbush blueberry production is south of a line extending from muskegon to the lower end. These highbush varieties could not be grown in florida because they had a high chilling requirement. Scouting your fields for blueberry red ringspot virus pdf bacterial leaf scorch of blueberry pdf photos of blueberry. Pdf the highbush blueberry and its management download full. Bushes bloom in late winter, and flowers are frequently damaged by frost. Many southern highbush are self fertile, however, the planting of multiple varieties is still recommended for improved fruit set.
Most fresh market blueberries are from highbush plants and. At temperatures below 18 f, we begin to see flower. Highbush blueberry is a native, upright, 612 feet tall, crownforming shrub. Annual growth cycle of northern highbush blueberry. There are several important considerations in deciding which particular varieties are best suited to the gardeners goals. Northern highbush cultivars blueray, jersey and patriot.
Plants are vigorous with upright growth that tolerates late spring frost and warm summers. By 1983, a small blueberry shipping industry was established in florida. They are handsome landscape plants that have bright red foliage in the fall. For colder areas that are north of gainesville, rabbiteye blueberries are recommended. Pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet to lower soil ph one unit. Recommended highbush blueberry varieties for nova scotia introduction duke is at present the most popular variety for new plantings because of its heavy production, high quality and even sized fruit. Bluetta, earliblue avoid very late varieties frost, hardiness e.
The highbush blueberry and its management provides detailed information that growers can apply directly to their work. It is low in calories and sodium, contains no cholesterol, and is a source of fiber. It was first grown as a commercial crop of the early 1900s when elizabeth white and frederick coville of whitesbog, new jersey began identifying superior wild plants and developing improved cultivars. Fruit is firm, large, 60 berries per cup and attractive, and is suitable for either fresh market or upick. The best lowbush and highbush blueberry varieties that are often grown most frequently in gardens include. Blueberry cultivars are chosen based on production area. Blueberry plants grow duke, blueray, bluejay blueberries. Rabbiteye within each species, there are many cultivars or varieties. Blueberries can be eaten fresh or used to make jelly, jam, pies, pastries, or juice. Blueberry cultivars for the pacific northwest t here are five main types of blueberries grown in the united states. Highbush blueberry production penn state extension. Southern highbush blueberry cultivars from the university of florida 4 farthing is best adapted for planting in northcentral and central florida.
Most small blueberry operations harvest their fruit by hand. Pdf the highbush blueberry and its management download. Southern highbush blueberry cultivars from the university of. Grow blueberry plants and enjoy the luscious fruits of this native american shrub that have been cherished since colonial times. Listed below with abbreviated descriptions are some of the more common forms. They bear fruit with well documented health benefits. The betterperforming highbush types are blueray, herbert, coville, bluecrop, berkeley and jersey. Varieties some of the betterperforming rabbiteye varieties are tifblue, garden blue, climax, southland, bluebelle and brightblue. Highbush blueberry information learn about growing. Ushbc programs are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, genetic information, parental status and marital or family status. The northern highbush is most common type grown worldwide and in the pacific northwest. Highbush blueberry information learn about growing highbush.
Early blueberry production was limited to the eastern united states and upper mid. Highbush blueberries planted on an unfavorable site usually perform poorly, regardless of other cultural or management practices. Because southern highbush blueberry cultivars vary in adaptation, vigor, and longevity. The ushbc has adopted a diversity outreach plan to attempt to achieve a diverse representation on the council. Recommended highbush blueberry varieties for nova scotia.
With eighteen varieties of the highbush blueberry now available, potential growers should have an adequate list from which to select. The market and potential demand for blueberries pdf pest information. Earlier maturing varieties bloom earlier than later maturing varieties and are consequently more prone tf tijto frost injury. The blueberry bush makes a wonderful choice for the home gardener as a flavorful food crop or as an ornamental landscape shrub.
Extension and advisory team the varieties included in the following list are recommended varieties. Highbush blueberries the plant northern highbush blueberry. Both highbush and lowbush varieties are native to north america. Extension bulletin e1456, major revision, january 2001. The most important thing to remember when growing highbush blueberries or any plant in the heather family is that the soil needs to be quite acidic, in the range of. They are often taller and wider than highbush plants and ripen their large, light blue berries from may into august, depending on location and selection. Because southern highbush blueberry cultivars vary in adaptation, vigor, and. The varieties we grow in michigan could easily handle cold temperatures down to zero degrees fahrenheit. In choosing a site for blueberry planting, air flow, water drainage. Highbush blueberries the plant northern highbush blueberry, vaccinium corymbosum, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern north america, from nova scotia and ontario south to alabama, and west to wisconsin. Rabbiteye blueberries are divided into pollination groups a, b, c and d.
Southern highbush blueberries have a much lower chilling requirement 200 to 300 hours than northern highbush blueberries more than 800 hours. To get the best fruit set and largest fruit, varieties that bloom at the same time should be blueberry production for the home garden table 1. Many cultivars have been selected for variation in fruit traits and plant growth habit. To obtain efficient pollination, more than one variety should be planted. Highbush blueberries belong to the same family of plants as cranberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas. See factsheet sp284a, small fruit varieties for home gardens, for a more detailed description of these varieties. Note that halfhigh blueberries grow only 3 to 4 feet tall so ideally, most of the fruiting area is protected below the snow line in regions with significant snowfall. Blueberry nursery plants come in a variety of types bare root, container grown, tissue culture and sizes rooted cuttings, tissue culture plugs, and 23 year old plants. Before improved varieties were available for commercial production, wild blueberries were used to supply the market demand. Our varieties typically ripen in july or august slightly later than their southern highbush counterparts and produce abundant crops of firm, flavorful, aromatic blueberries. Like southern highbush blueberries, these selections of the southeast native vaccinium ashei are adapted to hot, humid summers and mild winters. Highbush blueberry small fruit horticulture research.
Northern highbush plants can suffer winter injury to flower buds when temperatures drop below 20f. Blueberry variety selection sf fspring frost hardiness is based on floral developmental stage. This publication briefly describes each type of blueberry. Twigs are yellowgreen reddish in winter and covered with small wartlike dots. Southern highbush blueberries will grow in the pacific northwest but have low yields. Blueberries are longlived perennials, so taking care at the beginning will pay off for years. Because southern highbush varieties flower early, they are best adapted to areas south of gainesville with some varieties growing further north. This is the first report regarding the physical and chemical characteristics of the cultivated highbush blueberry and bilberry harvested in the same. Growing blueberries in missouri since only a few soils in missouri have these characteristics, modifications are usually necessary to grow blueberries.
The maximum cold hardiness for most michigan varieties is about 18 f. Highbush blueberry plant care begins with proper site selection and soil amendment. Blueberry two types of blueberries are grown in florida southern highbush and rabbiteye. Size of the individual fruit is not allimportant when judging the qualifications of a new blueberry. It is native to eastern canada and the eastern and southern united states, from ontario east to nova scotia and south as far as florida and eastern texas. The common name refers to the relatively tall stature of these plants. There are several important considerations in deciding which particular varieties are best suited to the gardeners goals, planting site, and climate. Early season southern highbush will ripen 2 to 3 weeks before early rabbiteyes, and midseason varieties will ripen 8 to 12 days before early rabbiteyes.
Highbush blueberries belong to the same family of plants. Jul 11, 2019 southern highbush blueberry varieties production of southern highbush blueberries in the southeastern united states for the early fresh market is relatively new and acreage is limited. Blueberries are a very popular fruit in the united states because of their unique flavor, small soft edible seeds, and easy use in preparation figure 1. They are more tolerant of heat and mild winters than the above and do well in warmer and drier areas. Some tend to grow best in southern climates like the west coast, the southeast, and the southern hemisphere, and some fare better in northern environments northern u.
It is vigorous, with an upright growth habit, a very narrow crown figure. Highbush blueberry vaccinium corymbosum is a woody perennial shrub that is a member of the heath, or ericaceae, family. Some blueberry varieties require cross pollination, others dont. Because floridas southern highbush blueberries ripen earlier than. Highbush blueberries will produce a small crop, approximately 2,000 pints per acre, in the third year. New southern highbush blueberry varieties from the university of georgia pdf suggestions for organic blueberry production in georgia pdf marketing. To be safe, plant at least two varieties that flower at the same time, unless wild blueberries are nearby. Mix and match fruit plants save 20% when you buy any combination of 3 or more fruit plants.
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