Bluegem Blueberry

Abstract

Rabbiteye blueberries, Vaccinium asheiReade, are being commercially grown on approximately 50 acres in northern Florida. The varieties, 'Tifblue,' 'Homebelle,' and 'Woodward', from Georgia, are most important.

Breeding work was started at Gainesville, Florida with rabbiteye in 1950 and approximately 4000 seedlings of this species have since been fruited and evaluated. One of these, 'Bluegem,' tested as Fla. 6-164, is being released in 1970.

'Bluegem' blooms at about the same time as Woodward,' and in greenhouse tests, pollination with 'Woodard' has resulted in better fruiting than from 'Bluegem' selfed. In the Gainesville area both of these varieties bloom in early March before 'Tifblue.' 'Bluegem' appears to be adapted to the same areas where 'Woodard' is successful, and is suggested for interplanting with this variety.

An outstanding character of 'Bluegem' fruit is the long retention on the' bush in firm condition. In 1969, 90% of the fruit could have been harvested in a single picking between June 20 and 25. This is a very valuable characteristic for mechanical harvesting. For best quality, it is recommended that 'Bluegem' be picked one to two weeks after blue color first develops. The picking scar is dry and very small, thus reducing chances of decay, and enhancing shelf life of the fresh fruit. Crop production has been heavy in the Gainesville area. Yields of threeyear old bushes of 'Bluegem' in 1969 ranged from 2,1/2 to 5 lbs. per plant. Fruit size is average for the rabbiteye type, with approximately 110 berries per standard cup from non-irrigated bushes.

Both fruit and young leaves have a heavy glaucescence and light blue appearance which exceeds that of any other commercial rabbiteye variety. 'Bluegem' plants are moderately spreading, and make a limited number of new suckers. It is intermediate in plant size between 'Woodard' and 'Tifblue.'

Distribution of plant material will be handled by Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., P. O. Box 14006, Gainesville, Florida 32601.