Blueberry Erliblyu (Earliblue)
Maturity: early
Fruits: 1.6-2.0 gr., blue
Growing conditions: outdoors
Yield: 4-6 kg/plant
Selection: USA
| Shipping and pickup: | 2022 |
| Ripening period | Early ripe variety |
| fruit size | Large-fruited varieties |
| Productivity: | high |
| Selection | USA |
Earliblue blueberry was bred by American breeders in 1952. The variety has become widespread in Europe, Russia, Belarus. Included in the State Sort Register.
Variety advantages:
- early ripening;
- high resistance to frost and powdery mildew;
- large tasty berries;
- no need for frequent pruning.
Variety Features
Plant. Erliblu bushes up to 2 meters high, not thickened. Shoots erect with reddish bark. The root system is fibrous, located close to the surface of the earth (up to 40 cm deep). The foliage is rounded, smooth, shiny. The flowers are white-pink, formed into multiple clusters.
Fruits rounded flattened shape, large. Weighing 1.6-2.0 gr. The skin of ripe blueberries is deep blue with a bluish bloom. Pulp – blue-violet juicy, tender. Taste – sweet-sour. Ripe berries do not fall off the bushes.
Variety Purpose: Airlie Blue Weaknesses – low keeping quality of fruits and their unsuitability for transportation. Blueberries are best consumed fresh immediately after harvest, frozen or processed. The variety is more suitable for private than for commercial cultivation.
Productivity and ripening terms. On average, one bush of Erliblu gives 4-6 kg of crop per season, and with the observance of agricultural technology and careful care, up to 9-10 kg. In terms of ripening, blueberries belong to early varieties. By the beginning of June, the fruits begin to form and gradually ripen.
Immuneto powdery mildew. Airlie Blue may be attacked by larvae of the May beetle, leafworm, flower beetle. Insecticides will help in the fight against them.
Of the diseases, the variety is most prone to stem cancer (when water accumulates in the root zone). If the summer is humid, it is necessary to provide the bush with constant drainage and choose the right watering pattern.
In general, preventive spring treatment will help protect the plant from diseases and pests.
Growing conditions.
Due to the increased cold resistance, the Airly Blue blueberry grows well and bears fruit in the sharply continental climate of Siberia. The plant winters calmly without shelter at temperatures up to – 36 ° C, is not afraid of frost. We recommend that you cover young blueberry bushes for the winter (in the first year after planting) so that they get stronger and acclimatize.
Erliblu blueberries do not tolerate drought well, and at the same time they do not tolerate stagnant moisture. It is important to develop the correct scheme for watering the plant. In warm weather, the bushes are watered moderately and infrequently, 1-2 times a week. In drought, increase the frequency of watering. In rainy weather, the water supply is stopped and moisture is removed from the root area, otherwise the plant may get sick.
For planting Airlie Blue, you need light acidic or slightly acidic soil (pH 3.5 & ndash; 5.0) with the addition of sand, peat, needles. Planting close to other blueberry varieties for cross-pollination will increase the yield of the variety by 3-4 times.
Selection of seedlings
Before you buy blueberry seedlings Erliblue (Earliblue), pay attention to the quality of planting material.
- The age of suitable seedlings is 2-3 years,
- The root system – developed, moist, without breaks. Preferably closed type (with a clod of earth).
- Shoots "live" without dryness, damage and signs of disease.
Beware of fakes and contaminated planting material, buy blueberry seedlings «Erliblu» in professional nurseries and specialized stores.