Content
Duke blueberry is hardy and fruitful. It is still rare in our areas, but it is becoming popular due to the healing properties of berries. The blueberry bush in the garden will make an unusual accent with original flowers and berries, crimson autumn decoration.
Breeding history
Since 2018, the Duke garden blueberry variety in the State Register of Russia, is recommended for cultivation in all regions. Its originator is Rassvet LLC of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The variety was bred in the early 70s by breeders from the United States.
Description of berry culture
For a shrub of a medium early ripening period, a stable high yield is characteristic. The first berries are tried in the second year after planting.
General understanding of the variety
A bush of a variety with a fibrous root system, which deepens 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 plus in the northern regions: the plant and the set fruits are well warmed up by the sun. Fruit-bearing branches are thin, with a bend. Only with age does the shrub thicken.
Oval leaves up to 6-8 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, with short petioles. Turn red in autumn. The edges of the leaf blade are solid, the surface is smooth. Duke garden blueberry flowers are pale white with a slight pink tint, collected in a brush up to 10 pieces. They have the shape of an elegant bell 1 cm wide.
Berries
The fruits of the tall-growing Duke blueberry are large, round, slightly flattened, 17-20 x 12 mm in size, not uniform. Weight 1.8-1.9 g, up to 2.5 g. The skin of the berries is blue, with a bluish bloom, smooth texture, strong, elastic, pleasantly crunchy. Juicy greenish pulp is dense, contains many seeds. The pleasant sweet-sour taste of the Duke blueberry variety is distinguished by piquant astringency and aromatic aftertaste, which becomes more pronounced during storage. The assessment of the tasters is 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 tolerates frosts up to 34 degrees. Plantations of the Duke garden blueberry variety in the middle climatic zone came out without losses after a harsh winter with a 40-degree cold. The plant is moisture-loving, it needs a lot of water to get the entire root ball wet.
Planting and caring for Duke blueberries is easy. The composition and structure of the soil is important for the plant:
- acidity in the range of 4.3-4.8 pH;
- loose, light mechanical composition of the soil;
- the presence of 40-50 g of sulfur on a square meter of the site.
The variety is readily planted because of 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 decade of May.But even with a sudden drop in temperature, the flowers are preserved. Another significant advantage of bushes is self-fertility. Although in reviews of Duke blueberries, there are tips to plant several plants nearby for better pollination. The period from flowering to the start of harvest is 42-56 days. The berries are harvested in two to three approaches, starting from the twenties of July to mid-August.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
With the age of the bush, the berries do not become smaller. The Duke variety is reliable, productive, high-yielding. The berries are separated with a dry separation; mechanized harvesting is also possible. Plants with complex care give up to 6-8 kg. A bush of tall blueberries Duke is early-growing: the berries are tied in the second year after planting. The plant has been producing a solid crop for 20 years.
Scope of berries
The Duke variety is universal, suitable for freezing and heat treatment. Given the shelf life of the fruits in the refrigerator, you can treat yourself to a healing delicacy for a month and a half.
Disease and pest resistance
With proper planting and caring for 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 maturing;
- large-fruited;
- with a pleasant taste and aroma;
- fruitful;
- friendly ripening of berries;
- transportable;
- frost-resistant;
- resistant to pests.
The imperfections of the variety can be attributed only to the specific requirements of the bushes to the special composition and moisture of the soil.
How Duke blueberries reproduce
Shrubs in nurseries are propagated by seeds, but such seedlings will yield a crop only after 8 years. The most convenient reproduction of Duke blueberries by layering and cuttings:
- A shoot is laid in a groove near a bush with peat and sawdust, fixed and covered with a film. The sprouts are dug out 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, protecting them from frost.
Landing rules
For a good harvest, it is important to plant the bushes correctly.
Recommended timing
In the middle lane, Duke blueberries are planted in the spring. The bushes take root until autumn. In the south, they also move in early autumn.
Choosing the right place
Garden varieties are located in well-lit, drained areas. In the northern regions, places that are protected from cold winds are chosen. Groundwater should be no higher than 0.6 m.
Soil preparation
For planting Duke blueberries, a sandy-peat substrate is prepared. The soil is acidified:
- peat;
- citric acid;
- table vinegar.
On alkaline soils, the acidity must be checked with instruments. A year before planting, sulfur is applied 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 to preserve the created acidity. A layer of gravel and sand for drainage, then the required soil:
- 60% sour peat;
- 20% old needles;
- 10% each of chopped pine bark and small sawdust.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
For moving, choose 2-3-year-old bushes with elastic branches, without damage to the bark, with a closed root system.
Algorithm and scheme of landing
The distance between the 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 cut off.
- The hole is watered and mulched.
Follow-up care of the culture
According to descriptions of Duke garden blueberry, it is an unpretentious variety.
Necessary activities
The soil is loosened, mulch after watering. Watered twice a week, 10 liters per bush, do not allow stagnant water. You cannot fertilize with fresh manure.Take mineral preparations:
- nitrogen in the form of ammonium;
- potassium sulfate.
- superphosphate.
Shrub pruning
Duke blueberry care includes pruning for the 4th year. The lower drooping shoots are removed in early spring, damaged branches are cut on the straight lines. The procedure is carried out taking into account that the fruits are tied at 2-year increments. 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 a harsh and snowless winter, 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 kept fresh for more than 10 days. Compotes and jams are prepared from them. Frozen blueberries are convenient.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
When the bushes thicken, outbreaks of fungal diseases are possible.
Diseases | Signs | Treatment | Prophylaxis |
Anthracnose | Dark spots on shoots and leaves, fruits | "Fitosporin-M" or fungicides
| Removing fallen leaves |
Gray rot | Gray spots of mycelium, decay | Give nitrogen preparations strictly according to the norm, thin out the bush | Treatment in early spring with iron vitriol, at the end of May with Bordeaux liquid |
Cancer | Cracks and red sores on the bark | Thinning pruning | Apply "Azophos", "Speed" |
Pests rarely attack the plant.
Pests | Signs | Treatment | Prophylaxis |
Leaf roll | Leaves are twisted, buds and flowers are damaged | Insecticides | Removal of fallen leaves and carrion |
Chafer | Leaves turn yellow - the larvae gnaw at the roots | "Antikhrusch" | Shaking off, light traps |
Aphid | Damaged leaves | Soap or baking soda solution | Ant fighting |
Conclusion
Duke blueberry is a high-yielding variety that is easy to care for. Taking care of the correct soil and planting site, they enjoy the vitamin fruits in summer. The berry shrub is a good choice for gardens in the middle climatic zone.
