Blueberry varieties
LEGACY
Legacy is a cultivar derived from crossing a Northern highbush and a Southern highbush. Legacy is very well suited for growing in South Africa because of being tolerable of mild to moderate winter climates. Although the literature available indicates that It requires 400-600 chilling hours, it has been grown successfully in areas with less than 150 hours. Legacy is a vigorous, upright bush which bears in late mid-season.
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Legacy is self-pollinating but it is beneficial to overall yield to plant with other varieties like Star and Biloxi as they flower at similar times. The fruit is medium to large, powder blue in colour with outstanding flavour, firmness and a small scar. Legacy may be a little slower to produce in the first few years, but yields are consistently large once plants have become established. It blooms early which leads to a long harvest period. It is suitable for mechanical harvest and is highly adaptable for both fresh and process sales. Legacy has a high resistance to fruit rot (anthracnose) and some resistance to both phases of mummy berry. Legacy is frost tolerant. In mild winter areas, Legacy will keep its leaves through most of the winter, and may require a different approach with pruning. If this is achieved the harvest may be sooner than if the plant went dormant. Legacy doesn’t tolerate extreme pruning very well and prefers a moderate winter prune as opposed to an extreme summer prune. Legacy yields between 4-5 kg by year 5.
Legacy grows to an approximate height of 1,4m and 60cm wide. Plant spacing is minimum 90cm between the plants and 2,2m within the rows. The distance between the rows is determined by the size of the tractor plus 75cm to cater for the ridges. If plants are planted in a tunnel, higher densities can be achieved.
SHARP BLUE
Sharpblue is the leading and most adaptable variety in low chill areas throughout the world. Sharpblue is ideal for a home grower due to its longer picking season. Great for milder zones, it requires only 150 chill hours. Sharpblue is known to fruit twice a year. This is not advised for commercial operations as it could result in smaller berries.
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Sharpblue is recommended in areas with mild winters where frosts are uncommon. Upright, spreading bush reaching 1.2m tall with green foliage in fall. Medium, robust flavored berries. It handles heat and humidity well. Sharpblue is self-pollinating and produces approximately 4,5kg per plant
STAR
Star is an early bearer with a chilling requirement of about 200-400 hours. It is an upright bush which is slightly spreading with moderate vigour. Berries are large, with good flavour and firmness, medium blue in colour and small scar. Star is self-pollinating but it is beneficial to plant with other varieties like Legacy and Biloxi.
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Star features good concentration of ripening and is easy to harvest by hand with most of the berries coming off in two pickings. It has excellent post-harvest fruit quality. Star is an early bloomer and its berries are suitable for mechanical harvest. Star has a high resistance to stem blight (Botryosphaeria) & Phytophthora root rot. Star is susceptible to botrytis during wet springs and fruit cracking with heavy rains during ripening and in some cases susceptible to Septoria. Star grows to an approximate height of 1,4m and 60cm wide. Plant spacing is minimum 90cm between the plants and 2,2m within the rows. The distance between the rows is determined by the size of the tractor plus 75cm to cater for the ridges. If plants are planted in a tunnel, higher densities can be achieved. Star yields between 4-5kg, plant spacing is a minimum of 80cm
BILOXI
Biloxi is an early bearer with a chilling requirement of less than 150 hours. The plant has a bushy habit and vigorous growth. Berries are small to medium, light blue in colour, firm, well flavoured with a medium scar. Biloxi is self-pollinating but it is beneficial to plant with other varieties like Star and Legacy.