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The plan is to keep about 60 plants, and to extend the harvest as long as possible, both earlier and later. Plus to have the best tasting berries possible. In my area, there is virtually zero chill hours and a light frost maybe once a decade.
Since it's been nearly impossible to get hold of any of the good varieties in past years, when I got some, I kept them longer than maybe I should. But access has changed, thank goodness, so I can now get rid of more that are not the best.
On the chopping block are some duplicates of Star, and Jewel, and Abundance. I've already given a dozen or so to friends. But a dozen more need to go to make room for trialing new varieties.
Keepers:
Emerald - plants grow and bear very well here, I like the mild flavor, and they can rebloom and bear at odd times.
Southmoon - late bearing of extremely good-flavored fruits. One of my favorites, but plants not that vigorous. I currently have a few ripe ones. I want more of these, though chill hours are a bit high for here.
Sweetcrisp - A keeper. What more can be said? Here, a very long, light fruiting season. Plants healthy, leggy.
Sharpblue - old variety, but reliable and good flavor. Also later ripening to extend the season. Have given some plants away already.
Misty - older variety. Good blueberry flavor, reliable here. Have giving some plants away already.
Biloxi - Zero chill, blooms at odd times to extend season. One bush has had ripe fruit for a month. Not the best, but I keep it for berries out of season when there are no others.
Jewel - it's a work horse. Flavor not that great however. If some of the new ones pan out, more of the Jewels might have to go.
New ones I'm trying:
Snowchaser - FHN source, but seems true to type. First ripe berry from less than a year old plant was exceptional.
Springhigh - FHN source, plants still very young.
Scintilla - FHN source. Wills says they don't live very long, but I already had them. We'll see.
Since it's been nearly impossible to get hold of any of the good varieties in past years, when I got some, I kept them longer than maybe I should. But access has changed, thank goodness, so I can now get rid of more that are not the best.
On the chopping block are some duplicates of Star, and Jewel, and Abundance. I've already given a dozen or so to friends. But a dozen more need to go to make room for trialing new varieties.
Keepers:
Emerald - plants grow and bear very well here, I like the mild flavor, and they can rebloom and bear at odd times.
Southmoon - late bearing of extremely good-flavored fruits. One of my favorites, but plants not that vigorous. I currently have a few ripe ones. I want more of these, though chill hours are a bit high for here.
Sweetcrisp - A keeper. What more can be said? Here, a very long, light fruiting season. Plants healthy, leggy.
Sharpblue - old variety, but reliable and good flavor. Also later ripening to extend the season. Have given some plants away already.
Misty - older variety. Good blueberry flavor, reliable here. Have giving some plants away already.
Biloxi - Zero chill, blooms at odd times to extend season. One bush has had ripe fruit for a month. Not the best, but I keep it for berries out of season when there are no others.
Jewel - it's a work horse. Flavor not that great however. If some of the new ones pan out, more of the Jewels might have to go.
New ones I'm trying:
Snowchaser - FHN source, but seems true to type. First ripe berry from less than a year old plant was exceptional.
Springhigh - FHN source, plants still very young.
Scintilla - FHN source. Wills says they don't live very long, but I already had them. We'll see.
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