Vireo

Vireo has a vigorous, spreading growth habit, and prolific early-spring leafing.

Cultivar name: Vireo

Recommended for Florida: no, requires more chilling than is available in Florida for maximum production.

FL region best adapted to: none

Production system: deciduous

Hydrogen cyanamide: recommended

Machine Harvestability: no data yet

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

o North-central FL (2018-2021): 1.7 – 16.4 lbs/plant, average 9.43 lbs/plant

Known disease susceptibility: none observed to date

Known insect damage susceptibility: none observed to date

Fruit quality data:

o Fruit firmness: 242 – 266 g/mm, average 252 g/mm, much higher than Emerald

o Berry Weight: 2.2 – 2.8 grams, average 2.5 grams, similar to Emerald

o Berry Diameter: 17.6 – 18.8 mm, average 18.4 mm, similar to Emerald

o Brix: 8.6 – 10.8, average 10.0, lower than Emerald

o Brix/Acid Ratio: 12.2 – 18.4, average 14.3, much lower than Emerald

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

o Wax/bloom: high

o Fruit defects: none observed

o Flavor Score: 15.6 – reference Emerald (19.9)

o Aroma: none

Cultivars with overlapping timing of flowering: Keecrisp, Kestrel, Patrecia, San Joaquin

Other information: Flowers early, produces large fruit with an excellent scar and good firmness, but can be acidic. Tends to over-crop, especially when young. Winter pruning may be needed to reduce crop load on young plants.

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