Content
Duke blueberries are frost-resistant and productive. It is still rare in our areas, but is becoming popular due to the healing properties of the berries. A blueberry bush in the garden will make an unusual accent with original flowers and berries, and crimson autumn decoration.
History of selection
Since 2018, the Duke blueberry variety has been included in the State Register of Russia and is recommended for cultivation in all regions. Its originator is Rassvet LLC, Nizhny Novgorod region. The variety was bred in the early 70s by breeders from the USA.
Description of the berry crop
Shrubs of mid-early ripening are characterized by stable high yields. The first berries are tasted in the second year after planting.
General idea of the variety
A bush variety with a fibrous root system that goes deep by 15-20 cm, grows quickly, creates a lot of shoots, up to 5 shoots per season. The height of the Duke blueberry is 1.5-2 m. The circumference is the same. Erect skeletal shoots are green, brown in the sun. They branch weakly, which gives an additional advantage in the northern regions: the plant and the set fruits are well warmed by the sun. Fruitful branches are thin, with a bend. Only with age does the bush thicken.
Oval leaves up to 6-8 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, with short petioles. They turn red in autumn. The edges of the leaf blade are entire, the surface is smooth. Duke blueberry flowers are soft white with a slight pink tint, collected in clusters of up to 10 pieces. They have the shape of an elegant bell, 1 cm wide.
Berries
The fruits of the highbush blueberry variety Duke are large, round, slightly flattened, measuring 17-20 x 12 mm, and not uniform. Weight 1.8-1.9 g, up to 2.5 g. The skin of the berries is blue, with a bluish coating, smooth texture, strong, elastic, pleasantly crunchy. The juicy greenish pulp is dense and contains many seeds. The pleasant sweet and sour taste of the Duke blueberry variety is distinguished by its piquant tartness and aromatic aftertaste, which becomes more pronounced during storage. The tasters' rating was high - 4.8 points.
Characteristic
According to reviews of the Duke blueberry variety, the plant is economically profitable.
Main advantages
The shrub will become an abundant source of vitamin products in the northern regions, because it can withstand frosts of up to 34 degrees. Plantings of the Duke blueberry variety in the middle climate zone emerged without losses after a harsh winter with a 40-degree cold. The plant is moisture-loving; it requires a lot of water to wet the entire root ball.
Planting and caring for Duke blueberries is not difficult. The composition and structure of the soil is important for the plant:
- acidity within 4.3-4.8 pH;
- loose, light mechanical composition of the soil;
- the presence of 40-50 g of sulfur per square meter of area.
The variety is readily planted due to its excellent transportability and extended shelf life - up to two weeks in a cool place.
Flowering period and ripening time
The Duke variety blooms in the last ten days of May. But even with a sudden drop in temperature, the flowers remain. Another significant advantage of the bushes is self-fertility. Although in reviews of Duke blueberries there is advice to plant several plants nearby for better pollination. The period from flowering to the start of fruit harvesting is 42-56 days. The berries are harvested in two or three approaches, starting from the twentieth of July until mid-August.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
As the bush ages, the berries do not become smaller. The Duke variety is reliable, productive, and high-yielding. The berries are separated with a dry separation; mechanized harvesting is also possible. Plants with comprehensive care yield up to 6-8 kg. The tall blueberry bush Duke is early-bearing: the berries are set in the second year after planting. The plant produces a solid harvest for 20 years.
Area of application of berries
The Duke variety is universal, suitable for freezing and cooking. Considering the shelf life of the fruit in the refrigerator, you can treat yourself to this healing delicacy for a month and a half.
Resistance to diseases and pests
With proper planting and care of tall blueberries, the plant is little affected by pests. For fungal diseases, traditional early spring treatment with fungicides is used.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Distinctive properties brought the Duke variety into the list of plants of industrial importance:
- early ripening;
- large-fruited;
- with a pleasant taste and aroma;
- productive;
- friendly ripening of berries;
- transportable;
- frost-resistant;
- resistant to pests.
The only imperfections of the variety include the specific requirements of the bushes for the special composition and moisture of the soil.
How does Duke blueberry reproduce?
The shrub is propagated in nurseries by seeds, but such seedlings will yield a harvest only after 8 years. The most convenient propagation of Duke blueberries is by layering and cuttings:
- A shoot is placed in a groove near the bush with peat and sawdust, secured and covered with film. The sprouts are dug up after 1-2 years.
- Cuttings cut in the fall are rooted in the substrate in the spring. From the greenhouse, the sprouts are moved into the ground in the fall, protected from frost.
Landing rules
For a good harvest, it is important to plant the bushes correctly.
Recommended timing
In the middle zone, Duke blueberries are planted in the spring. By autumn the bushes take root. In the south they are also moved in early autumn.
Choosing a suitable location
Garden varieties are placed in well-lit, drained areas. In the northern regions, places protected from cold winds are chosen. Groundwater should lie no higher than 0.6 m.
Soil preparation
To plant Duke blueberries, a sand-peat substrate is prepared. The soil is acidified:
- peat;
- citric acid;
- table vinegar.
On alkaline soils, be sure to check the acidity with instruments. A year before planting, sulfur is added to the site.
On alkaline soils, spacious pits are prepared for the substrate: 0.8 x 0.8 m, 60 cm deep.Agrotextiles are placed at the bottom, which will help maintain the created acidity. A layer of gravel and sand for drainage, then the required soil:
- 60% acid peat;
- 20% old pine needles;
- 10% each of crushed pine bark and fine sawdust.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
For moving, choose 2-3-year-old bushes with elastic branches, without damage to the bark, and with a closed root system.
Algorithm and landing scheme
The distance between bushes of the Duke variety is at least 1.2-1.5 m. The planting procedure is usual:
- The seedling is placed 4 cm lower than it grew in the container.
- The root collar deepens.
- The bush is pruned.
- The hole is watered and mulched.
Subsequent care of the crop
According to descriptions of the Duke garden blueberry, this is an unpretentious variety.
Necessary activities
The soil is loosened and mulched after watering. Water twice a week, 10 liters per bush, do not allow water to stagnate. Fresh manure cannot be fertilized. Take mineral preparations:
- nitrogen in the form of ammonium;
- potassium sulfate.
- superphosphate.
Shrub pruning
Duke blueberry care includes pruning in the 4th year. In early spring, lower drooping shoots are removed, and damaged branches are cut off on straight ones. The procedure is carried out taking into account that the fruits are set on 2-year-old growths. In the 9th year, 20% of the old branches are cut off.
Preparing for winter
Despite the frost resistance of Duke blueberries, in regions with harsh and snowless winters, the bushes are mulched and covered with agrofibre. If snow falls, it is applied to the plants.
Collection, processing, storage of crops
The strong skin allows Duke berries to be stored fresh for more than 10 days. Compotes and jams are prepared from them. Freezing blueberries is convenient.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
When bushes thicken, outbreaks of fungal diseases are possible.
Diseases | Signs | Treatment | Prevention |
Anthracnose | Dark spots on shoots and leaves, fruits | "Fitosporin-M" or fungicides
| Removing fallen leaves |
Gray rot | Gray spots of mycelium, rotting | Give nitrogen preparations strictly according to the norm, thin out the bush | Treatment in early spring with iron sulfate, at the end of May with Bordeaux mixture |
Cancer | Cracks and red sores on the bark | Thinning pruning | Apply "Azofos", "Skor" |
Pests rarely attack the plant.
Pests | Signs | Treatment | Prevention |
leaf roller | Leaves are curled, buds and flowers are damaged | Insecticides | Removing fallen leaves and carrion |
Chafer | The leaves turn yellow - the larvae gnaw the roots | "Antikhrushch" | Shaking off, light traps |
Aphid | Damaged leaves | Soap or soda solution | Fighting ants |
Conclusion
Blueberry Duke is a high-yielding variety that is easy to care for. Having taken care of the correct soil and planting site, they enjoy the vitamin-rich fruits in the summer. Berry bushes are a good choice for gardens in the middle climate zone.
