Overview Blueberry
Production Practices in Florida
Jeff Williamson
Horticultural Sciences Department
IFAS, University of Florida
Cost of Establishment
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Land Preparation
Pine bark (450 yd3)
Plant costs (1800/a)
Overhead irrigation
Labor (2 ½ years)
Chemicals
Total establishment costs
$1500
$4500
$4500
$4750
$3000
$ 500
$18,750
Planting Establishment
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Soil test
Water test
Eliminate difficult to
control weeds
(brambles, nut sedge,
smilax)
Drainage
Pine bark
Irrigation system
Pine bark is often used as a
growing media for blueberries.
Pine Bark Culture
Construction of a trench revealed
that very few roots were located in
the underlying soil.
Root systems are easily separated
from underlying soil by pulling back
the pine bark layer.
Excavated Blueberry Plant with root
system intact.
Pine Bark Culture
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New bark must be
applied to fields every
3 to 4 years.
Pine bark incorporated culture
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Grower trials and UF
studies are underway
to evaluate
alternatives to pine
bark culture.
Single rows are most common
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Plant spacing is about
2.5 to 3.0 feet in the
row.
Between row spacing
is typically about 8
feet.
Double row beds
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Once popular are
now becoming
less common.
3-row beds
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3-row beds are
rare. They increase
plant densities but
complicate
harvesting,
spraying and other
cultural practices.
Drainage
Blueberry Pollination
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Alternating rows of
different varieties
provide good crosspollination.
Blueberry Pollination
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All blueberry varieties
benefit from crosspollination. Bumble
bees are the most
efficient pollinators.
Cultivar Improvement
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Sharpblue and Misty
were the most widely
planted cultivars until
newer, improved,
cultivars were
released during the
1990’s and 2000’s.
Cultivar Improvement
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Cultivar Selection
Newer cultivars like
Jewel, Emerald, and
Star have improved
quality, increased
yield, and advanced
harvest date.
Freeze Protection
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Freezes are the
primary yield limiting
factor for Florida
blueberries.
Most blueberry use
water for freeze
protection.
Typical appearance of non-pruned
blueberry plant during fall
Typical appearance of pruned
blueberry plant during fall
Conclusions
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Blueberries are very expensive to grow in Florida.
Knowledge and labor requirements are high.
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.
Prices have remained high despite increased production.
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.
Other production regions may eventually encroach on Florida’s
market window.
Thank You
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For more information visit the Small Farms
web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu
Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the
Virtual Field Day web at
http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu
This presentation brought to you by the
Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.