U.S. Patent PP26,312
Southern Highbush Blueberry Variety
General Description
Emerald has very high yield potential for the mid season in central Florida window, vigorous growth, and large berries with good shipping qualities.
Cultivar name: Emerald (selection code FL 95-209a)
Recommended for Florida: yes
FL region best adapted to: central Florida
Production system: deciduous
Hydrogen cyanamide:recommended; a moderate to high dose can result in earlier fruit ripening.
Machine Harvestability: Possible; tight clusters may need hand picking before any machine harvesting.
Per plant yields (Density 1,452-1,742 plants/acre):
o North-central FL (2015-2021): 9.18 – 16.8 lbs/plant, average 13.5 lbs/plant (mid-late season)
o Central FL (2013-2014): 4.9 – 8.3 lbs/plant, average 6.6 lbs/plant (reported by grower)
Known disease susceptibility: target spot
Known insect damage susceptibility: none observed to date
Fruit quality data:
o Fruit firmness: 184 – 211 g/mm, average 195 g/mm
o Berry Weight: 1.8 – 2.9 grams, average 2.4 grams
o Berry Diameter: 17.2 – 19.6 mm, average 18.4 mm
o Brix: 9.5 – 12.7, average 11.3
o Brix/Acid Ratio: 13.5 – 36.7, average 26.5
o Fruit scar: normal (small and dry)
o Wax/bloom: medium
o Fruit defects: none observed
o Flavor Score: 19.9 – reference Arcadia (21.6), Kestrel (29.0)
o Aroma: none
Cultivars with overlapping timing of flowering:
o North-central FL – Magnus, Optimus
o Central FL – Arcadia, Chickadee, Kestrel (all in evergreen system) when Emerald with hydrogen cyanamide application blooms
Other information: vigorous bush, early bloom, long harvest period
License availability: For a list of current nursery licensees in the USA, click here
License Availability
For licensing availability contact Florida Foundation Seed Producers (FFSP):