What are the characteristics of Duke ?
- Duke blueberry, which was bred in 1987 in New Jersey, USA; It is a fruitful variety with strong and upright shoots, forming many shoots, well branched, short and self-pollinating.
- It blooms late and blooms in the same period as Bluecrop.
- Duke blueberry saplings, which can withstand the lowest temperature level of -15 degrees, shed their leaves in winter and do not need irrigation due to the rainy weather in winter.
- Its fruits are medium in size, hard, dry and distinctly colored.
- Its taste is slightly sour and its fruits are resistant to carrying.
- Duke blueberry sapling; It is frequently preferred by producers because it is early, high yield, easy to harvest and high post-harvest quality.
What are Duke Sapling Soil and Climate Conditions?
Duke blueberry, known for blooming at the same time as Bluecrop; It is recommended to be grown in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soils rich in organic matter, slightly moist in summer and preferably located adjacent to or near the forest. The shallow and fibrous roots of Duke blueberries need constant moisture and good drainage. Although the blueberry variety is self-fertile, cross-pollination is recommended for tasty and large fruit. Duke blueberry, which is resistant to cold temperatures down to about -15°C, should not be fertilized starting from August, especially nitrogen fertilizers should not be given and irrigations should be reduced in order to increase resistance to winter cold in our eastern regions below -15°C. Duke blueberry seedlings need full sun and well-drained acidic soils.
How to Grow for Duke ?
It is necessary to pay attention to the care of Duke blueberry sapling, which is a high bush type variety, with a very high yield and high quality fruits. It is grown in organically rich, slightly moist summers, preferably adjacent to or near a forest, in well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Planting spacing of Duke blueberry; It is recommended to be between 1.00 – 1.50 m between rows and 2.00 – 3.50 m between rows, depending on the processing equipment. The ideal planting size is to plant 1 m x 2.5 m and grow 400 plants in 1 decare area. In order to obtain positive results from Duke blueberry sapling, which is a mid-season harvest variety; shallow, fibrous roots, constant moisture and good drainage are required. For the healthy development of plants and ease of cultivation, the best method is planting on a light ridge on mulch. Finally, In order to prevent fruit formation and encourage new vegetative growth, it is best to remove flowers from plants and avoid fruiting in the planting year and the following year. In the period after planting, pruning should be done towards the end of winter, as of the 2nd or 3rd year.
