Monday, July 3, 2017

Popular Varieties Of Blueberries Mississippi

By Stephanie Price


When it comes to the blueberries that Mississippi is famous for, it's good to know there are only two types that are commercially grown, but each has its own popular varieties. Blueberries Mississippi are mostly grown in the Southeast part of the state, and those two basic types are known as Southern Highbrush and Rabbiteye. Harvesting season begins in May, and sometimes lasts till September, depending on the variety.

As it was said, the type Rabbiteye is native to Southeast area. Thanks to the fact that it requires so called cross pollination, it is important to grow at least two varieties in close proximity. They might have similar characteristics, or desired ones can be combined. Brightwell, Tifblue, Centurion or Premier are some of highly appreciated varieties.

Harvesting season for this popular Tifblue sort starts in June, to be more precise, June 20. The fruits are large, juicy and tasty, with small scars and lovely color. Beautiful berries may be picked manually, or harvested mechanically, both for freezing and consuming fresh. This sort needs up to six hundred and fifty chill hours. Powderblee is also quite popular, thanks to really good characteristics of fruits and vigorous plant growth.

Centurion has a rather rare quality when it comes to blueberries, its flowers are self-fertile. The berries are medium sized, have a nice blue color and are harvested usually late in July. But, the harvesting season goes on till September. This sort can be harvested mechanically for both fresh consumed berries and those that will be frozen, but this can be applied for most varieties as well.

Brightwell has medium size, medium blue berries, with small dry scars and especially good flavor. It produces quite a large volume of fruit, and harvesting season begins June 1 in Southeast Mississippi. It requires 350 to 400 chill hours, and the variety Premier, which is vigorous, highly productive and has large, beautifully blue berries, requires approximately 550.

Other blueberry type highly popular in Mississippi area is called Southern Highbush This type also comes in different varieties, such as Reveille, Gulf Coast, Georgia Gem, Cooper or Pearl River. Most sorts ripen during May, some earlier than others. The earliest ones are probably O'Neal and Reveille. The first one is popular thanks to very large berries, as well as for especially nice flavor. This particular sort requires 400 chill hours, and early harvesting has many advantages.

There are some other sorts there, for example Cape Fear, Bladen, Jubilee or Biloxi. All have specific characteristics, some have lighter berries, for example Cape Fear or Reveille, some hold up storage better than other sorts, for example Reveille, and some are highly appreciated thanks to their high harvesting qualities, such as Jubilee, which can be harvested in only one or maybe two picks, in 95%.

Blueberries have so many great characteristics and high nutritional value. Everyone has their favorites, depending on their size, taste or some other qualities. Some special characteristics are always appreciated, such as small, dry scars, appealing color or large berries. Market price is highest in the beginning of harvesting season, and that's why those earliest varieties are especially popular.




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