Farthing

Farthing is a vigorous cultivar with high yield potential producing in the mid-late part of the season, with a dense, compact canopy and heavy flowering.

Cultivar name: Farthing (selection code FL00-75)

Recommended for Florida: yes

FL region best adapted to: north-central Florida (although may also do well in certain areas of central Florida with sufficient chilling)

Production system: deciduous

Hydrogen cyanamide: recommended; mid-high doses required for good production

Machine Harvestability: possible; has performed well in trials and grower-reported machine harvesting

Per plant yields (Density 1,452-1,742 plants/acre):

o North Central FL (2018-2021): 5 – 10.9 lbs/plant, average 7.8 lbs/plant

Known disease susceptibility: algal stem blotch

Known insect damage susceptibility: some susceptibility to gall midge injury has been observed.

Fruit quality data:

o Fruit firmness: 212 – 263 g/mm, average 227 g/mm, higher than Emerald

o Berry Weight: 1.9 – 3.1 grams, average 2.2 grams, similar to Emerald

o Berry Diameter: 17.1 – 20.0 mm, average 17.7 mm, smaller than Emerald, similar to Arcadia

o Brix: 10.1 – 12.4, average 11.8, higher than Emerald

o Brix/Acid Ratio: 20.4 – 52.1, average 28.6, similar to Emerald

o Fruit scar: normal (small and dry), similar to Emerald

o Wax/bloom: medium, similar to Emerald

o Fruit defects: none observed

o Flavor Score: 23.4 – reference Emerald (19.9), Kestrel (29.0)

o Aroma: none

Cultivars with overlapping timing of flowering: Emerald, Magnus, Patrecia, Primadonna, San Joaquin, Vireo, Wayne

Other information: Farthing is vigorous and survives well in commercial fields. It has a dense canopy with dark green foliage and is not tall. Produces numerous flower buds and flowers very heavily. The berries of Farthing are potentially very large on plants that have a light crop, but the typical heavy crop reduces berry size somewhat. The berries are high in most fruit quality components, and berry firmness is exceptionally good.  Because of the high crop load typical of Farthing, the harvest continues for 6 weeks, similar to Emerald. Farthing is partially self-incompatible and may require cross pollination for full fruit set.

License availability: For a list of current nursery licensees in the USA, click here