Performance of ten cultivars of rabbiteye blueberries in north Florida

Ten cultivars of rabbiteye blueberries [Vaccinium virgatum Aiton (formerly Vaccinium ashei Reade)] were evaluated from 2006 to 2009 at the North Florida Research and Education in Quincy, FL. ‘Austin’, ‘Brightwell’, ‘Cimax’, ‘Powderblue’, and ‘Premier’ were planted in Spring 2003. ‘Alapaha’, ‘Ira’, ‘Ochlocknee’, ‘Savory’, and ‘Yadkin’ were planted in Spring 2005. Plant growth, yield estimates, berry weights, and berry soluble solids were determined. At an in-row spacing of 1.5 m, most cultivars formed a hedgerow after 3 to 4 years of growth. Berry weights averaged 1.0 to 1.6 g, and average soluble solids varied from 13 to 16 ° Brix depending on cultivar and year. Details of 10 cultivars are listed.