Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) HURON

Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) 'Huron' (PBR)

Modern early variety with superior flavor and safe, late blooming.

'Huron' is a top-tier, patented variety developed by Michigan State University that perfectly fills the harvest window between the popular 'Duke' and 'Draper' varieties. It is highly valued for its superior flavor, excellent shelf life, and a very specific trait – it blooms unusually late, allowing it to avoid spring frosts, yet it ripens early. It is an ideal choice for the fresh fruit market.

Key Highlights:

• Frost avoidance: Late blooming protects the flowers, while harvesting remains early.
• Superior flavor: Considered one of the best-tasting early varieties.
• Long shelf life: Firm fruits with a small, dry picking scar.
• Excellent hardiness: Tested to withstand temperatures below -20 °C.
• Ideal harvest timing (approx. 5 days after 'Duke').

Origin and Registration

• Origin: USA (Michigan State University, Breeder J. F. Hancock). Patented in 2011.
• Genetics: Cross of selections 'MU-6566' x 'G-344U'.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Vigorous and upright. Reaches a height of approx. 1.4 m and a width of 0.9 m.
• Flowering: Blooms significantly later, which is a massive advantage in areas prone to late spring frosts.
• Productivity: Productive variety with consistent yields.

Fruit

• Size: Medium to large (averaging 1.7 g, larger than 'Duke').
• Color and Quality: Purple-blue color. Fruits are very firm with a small, dry stem scar.
• Taste: Superior flavor, well-balanced sweet and tart, but requires full ripening.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost: The variety exhibits excellent winter hardiness.
• Warning (Heat): During very hot weather at harvest time, stems may remain attached to the berries, potentially causing skin tearing.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Partially self-fertile, but cross-pollination is recommended for maximum yield and berry size.
• Harvesting: Fruit clusters are quite dense, which may slightly reduce hand-harvest efficiency.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Early to mid-early (approx. 5 days after 'Duke').
• Crucial harvest rule: Sugar development is slow. If picked immediately after turning blue, the berries will be tart. They must be left on the bush to fully ripen.
• Storage: Excellent, long shelf life.