Description
SUNRISE BLUEBERRY
Vaccinium corymbosum
Highbush type cultivar. Plants will grow to a mature height of 5 ½ feet. The bush is upright spreading slightly. The plants will tolerate high moisture and heavier soils than other highbush varieties. The ripening of Sunrise coincides with the 3rd picking of Duke and the third harvest coincides with the first picking of Blue Jay. Yields are consistent, averaging 10 to 12 pounds per plant, comparable to the yield of Duke.
Fruits are considered large, averaging 70 berries per 8 ounce cup. Hand pickers love to harvest the berries, once the berries become ripe they are easily harvested. Berry quality is firm without a picking scar and has uniform ripening. Fruits are dark blue and people rave about the fine flavors. The fruits maintain good quality in storage.
Harvesting is done by hand but the plants upright growth habit is conducive for mechanical harvest for fresh markets. Sunrise is highly recommended for the u-pick grower. The stems and fruit buds survive temperatures as low as -26F (-31C) for long periods during the winter. The excellent flavor, ease of harvest, high fruit quality are outstanding characteristics of the Sunrise cultivar. Hardiness zones 7a to 4b.
Care Info
- Plant Type:Highbush blueberry-height varying between 4 to 12 feet. Deciduous fruiting shrub.
- pH Requirements:4.0 - 5.5
- Soil Type:Well drained sand or sandy loam
- Light Requirements:Full to filtered sun
- Plant Rows Spacing:3 - 5 feet
- Plant Aisle Spacing:5 - 10 feet
- Mulching:Beneficial, but not necessary
- USDA Zones:4 - 10
- Scientific Name:Vaccinium corymbosum
