1. Overview Blueberry Production Practices in Florida Jeff Williamson Horticultural Sciences Department IFAS, University of Florida

2. Cost of Establishment Land Preparation $1500 Land Preparation $1500 Pine bark (450 yd 3 ) $4500 Pine bark (450 yd 3 ) $4500 Plant costs (1800/a) $4500 Plant costs (1800/a) $4500 Overhead irrigation $4750 Overhead irrigation $4750 Labor (2 ½ years)$3000 Labor (2 ½ years)$3000 Chemicals $ 500 Chemicals $ 500 Total establishment costs $18,750 Total establishment costs $18,750

3. Planting Establishment Soil test Soil test Water test Water test Eliminate difficult to control weeds (brambles, nut sedge, smilax) Eliminate difficult to control weeds (brambles, nut sedge, smilax) Drainage Drainage Pine bark Pine bark Irrigation system Irrigation system

4. Pine bark is often used as a growing media for blueberries.

5. Pine Bark Culture

6. Construction of a trench revealed that very few roots were located in the underlying soil.

7. Root systems are easily separated from underlying soil by pulling back the pine bark layer.

8. Excavated Blueberry Plant with root system intact.

9. Pine Bark Culture New bark must be applied to fields every 3 to 4 years. New bark must be applied to fields every 3 to 4 years.

10. Pine bark incorporated culture Grower trials and UF studies are underway to evaluate alternatives to pine bark culture. Grower trials and UF studies are underway to evaluate alternatives to pine bark culture.

11. Single rows are most common Plant spacing is about 2.5 to 3.0 feet in the row. Plant spacing is about 2.5 to 3.0 feet in the row. Between row spacing is typically about 8 feet. Between row spacing is typically about 8 feet.

12. Double row beds Once popular are now becoming less common. Once popular are now becoming less common.

13. 3-row beds 3-row beds are rare. They increase plant densities but complicate harvesting, spraying and other cultural practices. 3-row beds are rare. They increase plant densities but complicate harvesting, spraying and other cultural practices.

14. Drainage

15. Blueberry Pollination Alternating rows of different varieties provide good cross- pollination. Alternating rows of different varieties provide good cross- pollination.

16. Blueberry Pollination All blueberry varieties benefit from cross- pollination. Bumble bees are the most efficient pollinators. All blueberry varieties benefit from cross- pollination. Bumble bees are the most efficient pollinators.

17. Cultivar Improvement Sharpblue and Misty were the most widely planted cultivars until newer, improved, cultivars were released during the 1990’s and 2000’s. Sharpblue and Misty were the most widely planted cultivars until newer, improved, cultivars were released during the 1990’s and 2000’s.

18. Cultivar Improvement Cultivar Selection Cultivar Selection Newer cultivars like Jewel, Emerald, and Star have improved quality, increased yield, and advanced harvest date. Newer cultivars like Jewel, Emerald, and Star have improved quality, increased yield, and advanced harvest date.

19. Freeze Protection Freezes are the primary yield limiting factor for Florida blueberries. Freezes are the primary yield limiting factor for Florida blueberries. Most blueberry use water for freeze protection. Most blueberry use water for freeze protection.

20. Typical appearance of non-pruned blueberry plant during fall

21. Typical appearance of pruned blueberry plant during fall

22. Conclusions Blueberries are very expensive to grow in Florida. Blueberries are very expensive to grow in Florida. Knowledge and labor requirements are high. Knowledge and labor requirements are high. Improved cultivars and cultural practices have resulted in consistent annual production. Improved cultivars and cultural practices have resulted in consistent annual production. Florida’s blueberry has steadily increased in acreage, value, and production during the last 7 years. Florida’s blueberry has steadily increased in acreage, value, and production during the last 7 years. Prices have remained high despite increased production. Prices have remained high despite increased production. Many new plantings indicate continued growth for the immediate future. Many new plantings indicate continued growth for the immediate future. Prices will likely decline as supply continues to increase during Florida’s market window. Small growers may be forced out of business. Prices will likely decline as supply continues to increase during Florida’s market window. Small growers may be forced out of business. Other production regions may eventually encroach on Florida’s market window. Other production regions may eventually encroach on Florida’s market window.

23. Thank You For more information visit the Small Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu For more information visit the Small Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu This presentation brought to you by the Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.