BLUEBERRY PLANT NAMED 'FLR12-11'

Abstract

FLR12-11 is a new and distinct southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) variety distinguished by a low chilling requirement, semi-upright growth habit, and large, firm fruit that are aromatic with a small, dry picking scar.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of southern highbush blueberry plant named FLR12-11, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying photographs show typical bush, flower, and fruit characteristics for FLR12-11. Colors shown are as true as can be reasonably reproduced by photographic procedures and may differ from those cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of FLR12-11.

[0008] FIG. 1Shows several clusters of flowers of FLR12-11, as observed during flowering in March.

[0009] FIG. 2Shows branches with green fruit of FLR12-11 during the fruit ripening period.

[0010] FIG. 3Shows a close-up of harvested FLR12-11 ripe berries.

[0011] FIG. 4Shows a close-up of mature FLR12-11 leaves with a scale bar.

[0012] FIG. 5Shows several FLR12-11 plants when grown in an evergreen production system in Lalla Mimouna, Morocco.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0013] The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of FLR12-11. The data that define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Morocco. The plants were 2 years of age when the data was collected. Certain characteristics may vary with plant age. FLR12-11 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions, and the measurements given may vary when grown in different environments. Where means are given, the sample size was 10. Color descriptions are based on The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, Fifth Edition, 2007. When the R.H.S. color designations differ from the accompanying photographs, the R.H.S. color designations are accurate.

Phenotypic Description of Vaccinium corymbosum L. (FLR12-11) [0014] Plant: [0015] Plant vigor.High. [0016] Growth habit.Semi-upright. [0017] Flower bud density (number) along flowering twigs in march.Medium to High, averaging 8.1. [0018] Twigginess.High. [0019] Tendency toward evergreenness.High. [0020] Productivity.In trials in Morocco, FLR12-11 was very productive, with higher total yields than Snowchaser. [0021] Chilling requirement.FLR12-11 has performed best under evergreen production conditions where chilling is not calculated. FLR12-11 flowered and leafed well in areas receiving an average of 300 chill hours (0 to 7 C.). [0022] Cold hardiness.FLR12-11 has not been grown in temperate climates with extremely cold winter temperatures. Plants have survived winter freezes of 2 C. without damage. [0023] Ease of propagation.In propagation by cuttings of softwood stems, FLR12-11 has a good percentage of rooting (80% success), similar to Snowchaser. FLR12-11 has also a very good response to meristematic culture. [0024] Trunk and branches: [0025] Suckering tendency.High. Plants typically average 24 canes (with observed number of canes ranging from a minimum of 21 to a maximum of 30) arising from the crown. [0026] Surface texture (of strong, 6-month-old shoots observed in march).Smooth. [0027] Surface texture (of 3-year-old and older wood).Rough. [0028] Color of new twigs observed in the field.Yellow-green N144D, with Red 46A on sun-exposed side. [0029] Color of 3-year-old, rough-textured canes.Greyed-brown N199C. [0030] Internode length (strong, upright shoots measured in march).Mean of 3.53 cm. [0031] Leaves: [0032] Length (including petiole, from tip of petiole to end of blade).Mean of 8.7 cm. [0033] Width (at widest point).Mean of 4.4 cm. [0034] Shape.Elliptic. [0035] Margin.Lightly toothed. [0036] Color.Upper surface: Green N137B. Lower surface: Yellow-green N147B. [0037] Pubescence.Upper surface of leaves: Absent. Lower surface of leaves: Absent. Margins: Absent. [0038] Relative time of leafing versus flowering.When grown as an evergreen plant, leafing is after the first flowering wave. [0039] Flowers: [0040] Arrangement.Flowers are arranged alternately along a short, leafless, deciduous branch. [0041] Fragrance.Strong floral fragrance. [0042] Shape.Urceolate. [0043] Flowering period.The bloom period when observed under evergreen production in Morocco is during the month of December. [0044] Cluster (tight, medium, loose).Loose. [0045] Number of flowers per cluster.Mean of 7.7. [0046] Pedicel.Length at time of anthesis: Mean of 9.8 mm. Color at time of anthesis: Yellow-green 144C with Red 46B on the sun-exposed side. [0047] Peduncle.Length at time of anthesis: Mean of 20.4 mm. Color at time of anthesis: Green 142B. [0048] Calyx.Surface texture: Smooth. Diameter: Mean of 7.5 mm. Color (outer surface, visible at the time of anthesis without removing the corolla tube): Green 138C to Red 47B on calyx lobes. [0049] Corolla.Diameter: Mean of 8.18 mm. Length (from pedicel attachment point to corolla tip excluding the pedicel): Mean of 10.7 mm. Aperture diameter: Mean of 5.4 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: White 155B. [0050] Reproductive organs: [0051] Style.Length (top of ovary to stigma tip): Mean of 8.0 mm. Color: Yellow-green 145B. Location of tip of stigma relative to lip of the corolla Stigma tip is approximately even to 1 mm outside the corolla lip. [0052] Anthers.Color: Greyed-orange N167B. Pollen Abundance of shed: Medium. Color: Orange-white 159A. [0053] Self-fruitfulness.Medium to High. Planting in field configurations that promote cross fertilization with other southern highbush varieties is recommended for all southern highbush blueberry plants. [0054] Fruit: [0055] Mean date of 50% harvest in Lalla Mimouna, Morocco.March 30. [0056] Diameter of calyx aperture on mature berry.Mean of 9.8 mm. [0057] Size and shape of calyx lobes on mature berry.Small, flat. Medium calyx basin. [0058] Pedicel length on ripe berry.Mean of 11.7 mm. [0059] Detachment force for ripe berries (easy, medium, hard).Medium. [0060] Number of berries per cluster.Mean of 8.0. [0061] Fruiting type.On one-year-old and current season's shoots. [0062] Berry: [0063] Cluster (tight, medium, loose).Loose. [0064] Weight (on well-pruned plants).Mean of 2.7 grams. [0065] Height.Mean of 14.3 mm. [0066] Width.Mean of 20.9 mm. [0067] Shape.Oblate. [0068] Surface color of mature berries ripe on the plant.Violet-blue 98D. [0069] Surface color of ripe berry after polishing.Greyed-purple N186A. [0070] Immature berry color, with bloom.Greyed-green 193B. [0071] Immature berry color without bloom.Yellow-green N144C. [0072] Surface wax.Medium to high. The surface wax on FLR12-11 has only moderate persistence. [0073] Pedicel scar.Small and dry. Mean of 3.3 mm. [0074] Firmness.Firm. [0075] Flavor.High level of acidity with a strong aroma. [0076] Texture.Smooth. [0077] Seeds: [0078] Color of dried seeds.Greyed-orange N167A. [0079] Length of well-developed dried seed.Mean of 1.9 mm. [0080] Width of well-developed dried seed.Mean of 1.0 mm. [0081] Use: FLR12-11 produces southern highbush blueberries suitable for fresh markets. FLR12-11 has performed best in trials when grown under an evergreen management system. [0082] Resistance to diseases, insects, and mites: FLR12-11 has grown vigorously and shows excellent bush survival when grown under protected cultivation in an evergreen management system. It appears to be moderately resistant to root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi). FLR12-11 appears to have excellent resistance to the fungal species that cause summer leaf spots. Resistance of FLR12-11 to fungal leaf spots, Botrytis fruit rot, and powdery mildew (Microsphaera vaccinia) is greater than that of Snowchaser.