<i>Vaccinium </i>plant named ‘DW18-04’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘DW18-04’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright and spreading plant habit, vigorous growth and semi-deciduous habit in Florida. Fruit is very firm, with an average firmness of 333 g/mm. The new variety shows tolerance for wet soil conditions. Fruit yield is exceptionally high, with fruit ripening early, with first harvest in mid-March in Central Florida. Fruit is globose, 18 to 25 mm in diameter with an attractive waxy coating. The new variety is a Vaccinium, and is normally used for commercial fruit production.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘DW18-04’ as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photographs illustrate the following:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DW18-04’ in February of 2022, grown outdoors in Winter Haven, Fla. This plant is approximately 3 years old.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical fruits of ‘DW18-04’, and typical fruits of ‘Winter Bell’ during February in Winter Haven, Fla.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates in full color primocane fruiting on ‘DW18-04’ in mid-February in Winter Haven, Fla.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates in full color typical immature fruit and mature flowers of ‘DW18-04’ in mid-February in Winter Haven, Fla.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates in full color a typical fruit of ‘DW18-04’ harvested Feb. 1, 2022 on primocane in Winter Haven, Fla.

(7) The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques. Photographs are supplied by the inventor.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(8) In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DW18-04’ plants grown outdoors in Winter Haven, Fla. Winter temperature ranged from approximately 38° to 85° F., night and day. Summer temperature night and day range is approximately 65° to 95° F. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given. Botanical classification: Vaccinium spp. ‘DW18-04’. Age of plant described: Approximately 5 years old, planted in the ground.

PROPAGATION

(9) Typically from semi-hardwood juvenile cuttings. Time to rooting: Typically 6 to 8 weeks at 68° to 73° F. Time to produce a rooted plantlet: Approximately 2 to 3 months. Rooting habit: Woody to semi-woody. Moderately well branched, colored near RHS Brown 200B.

PLANT

(10) Growth habit: Upright, semi-deciduous woody perennial shrub. Height: Approximately 1.5 meters. Plant spread: Approximately 90 cm. Growth rate: Vigorous. Branching characteristics: Free branching. Texture of lateral branches: Smooth. Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Green 143C. Aspect: Straight, occurring at approximately 15° to 45° angles. Strength of lateral branches: Very strong, very flexible. Vegetative bud burst under evergreen culture method: Spring, typically March or April in Southern United States.

FOLIAGE

(11) Leaf: Arrangement.—Alternate. Average length.—Approximately 7 cm. Average width.—Approximately 4 cm. Shape of blade.—Broad elliptic. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Obtuse. Attachment.—Stalked. Margin.—Entire. Texture of top surface.—Highly waxy, glabrous. Texture of bottom surface.—Highly waxy, glabrous. Leaf internode length.—Approximate range 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm. Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149C. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 140A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149C. Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upperside: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149C. Venation color underside: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149C. Petiole.—Length: Approximately 0.2 to 0.6 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Texture: Smooth. Color upperside: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149B. Color underside: Near RHS Yellow-Green 150C.

FLOWER

(12) Natural flowering season: 50% bloom open in January, in Winter Haven, Fla. Very low chilling or no chilling requirement. Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Urceolate flowers arrange in small, alternating racemes. Quantity of flowers per raceme: Approximately 4 to 15 flowers per raceme, variable. Diameter of raceme: Average approximately 4 to 9 cm. Depth of raceme: Average approximately 5 to 12 cm. Fragrance: Not observed. Bud: Shape.—Obovate. Length.—Approximately 0.4 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-White 158A. Flower size: Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm. Length.—Approximately 10 to 12.5 cm. Corolla tube length.—Approximately 0.6 cm. Color tube width.—Approximately 0.7 cm. Petals/corolla: Quantity.—5. Arrangement.—Fused. Length.—Approximately 0.6 cm. Width.—Approximately 0.7 cm. Shape.—Completely fused, no individual shape. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Shiny. Color petals and tube.—When opening, outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C. When opening, inner surface: No inner surface exposed. Fully opened, outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C. Fully opened, inner surface: No inner surface exposed. Calyx: Sepal quantity.—5. Arrangement.—Fused. Length.—Approximately 0.4 cm. Width.—Approximately 4 cm. Shape.—Deltoid. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Matte. Color.—When opening, outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149B. When opening, inner surface: Not exposed. Pedicels: Length.—Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm. Strength.—Weak to moderate. Texture.—Shiny. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 150A. Peduncles: Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm. Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm. Strength.—Moderate. Texture.—Matte. Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 150A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

(13) Stamens: Number.—Typically 10. Color.—Near RHS Yellow 163D. Length.—Approximately 0.4 cm. Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 163D. Pollen.—colored near Greyed-Purple N187D. Pistil: Number.—1. Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm. Style.—Length: Approximately 0.9 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B. Stigma.—Shape: Narrowly conical. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 153D. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. Fruit: Seasonal timing.—First fruit harvested typically March through April in the Southern United States, including Florida. Fruit cluster density.—Moderate. Fruiting habit.—Fruits on both one-year-old shoots and current season's shoots. Color.—Immature: First near Yellow-Green 145C, changing to Blue 100C. Fully ripe: Colored close to Blue 103A, but much darker, waxy blush coloration near Blue 106D. Ripe internal coloration: Near Yellow-Green 145D. Diameter.—Typical fruit diameter ranges from 18 mm-25 mm. Length.—Average 15 mm. Shape.—Globose. Acidity.—Considerably lower than its parent Winter bell during early ripening. While the acid content has not been measured, taste testing of ‘DW18-04’ has shown fruit taste sweet, with little acidity even if picked before fruit has reached its fully ripe coloration. Sweetness.—Brix range 11.5-14.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(14) Disease Resistance: Higher than average resistance to foliar diseases normal to Vaccinium in Florida, have been observed in this variety. Typical foliar pathogens of Vaccinium include rust (Naohidemyces vaccinii) and anthracnose leaf spot (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). The new variety appears more resistant to these varieties of foliar pathogens. Resistance to disease found in wet soil conditions also observed. The most common disease found in poorly drained soil is Phytophthora cinnamomi, the new variety is likely to have resistance to this pathogen. Pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the normal pests of Vaccinium. Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Low temperature tolerance and drought tolerance have not been tested.