Wayne

Wayne is an early season production blueberry cultivar with high yield potential.

Cultivar name: Wayne (selection code FL 06-354)

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

FL region best adapted to: none

Production system: deciduous system

Hydrogen cyanamide:  recommended; low doses can be used (additional research being conducted)

Machine Harvestability: not recommended; may not perform well using current technology

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

o North-central FL (2018-2021): 3.5 – 10.9 lbs/plant, average 6.5 lbs/plant

Known disease susceptibility: none observed to date

Known insect damage susceptibility: none observed to date

Fruit quality data:

o Fruit firmness: 177 – 221 g/mm, average 195 g/mm, similar to Emerald

o Berry Weight: 2.2 – 2.6 grams, average 2.4 grams, similar to Emerald

o Berry Diameter: 16.8 – 18.4 mm, average 17.5 mm, smaller than Emerald

o Brix: 9.7 – 12.4, average 10.9, lower than Emerald

o Brix/Acid Ratio: 25.1 – 80.5, average 55.0, much higher than Emerald

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

o Wax/bloom: high

o Fruit defects: none observed

o Flavor Score 27.6 – reference Emerald (19.9), Kestrel (29.0)

o Aroma: none

Cultivars with overlapping timing of flowering: Endura, Farthing, Kestrel, Magnus, Patrecia, Vireo

Other information: Similar yield potential as Jewel, but matures two weeks earlier. Berries tart until fully ripe.

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