Blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) PREMIER®

Blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) 'Premier'

Reliable early Rabbiteye variety with large fruits and excellent flavor.

'Premier' is a highly valued variety from North Carolina State University, released in 1978. It was bred as a reliable and productive variety that excels not only in fruit quality but also in its role in the orchard – it is considered one of the best universal pollinators for early and mid-early varieties (especially for 'Climax'). It offers large, firm fruits with one of the best flavors among Rabbiteye varieties.

Key Highlights:

• Excellent taste: One of the tastiest Rabbiteye varieties, sweet and balanced.
• Large and firm fruits: Suitable for storage and transport.
• Excellent pollinator: Ideal partner for 'Climax' and other early varieties.
• High productivity: Strong, healthy growth and abundant harvest.
• Reliable variety with no significant weaknesses.

Origin and Registration

• Origin: USA (North Carolina State University). Released in 1978.
• Genetics: Cross of 'Tifblue' x 'Homebell'.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Very vigorous, upright.
• Chill hours: Medium (approx. 550 hours).

Fruit

• Size: Large to very large.
• Color: Light blue.
• Quality: Very firm fruits with a small, dry stem scar.
• Taste: Excellent, sweet with mild acidity, highly rated.

Resistance and Requirements

• Pollination: The variety is self-sterile. It is an excellent pollinator itself, ideally complementing the 'Climax' variety.
• Resistance: Shows good disease resistance.

Harvest and Usage

• Harvest time: Early to mid-season (ripens shortly after 'Climax').
• Usage: Due to firmness and quality, it is suitable for fresh consumption, longer storage, and transport.