Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium darrowii) COOPER

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) 'Cooper'

Reliable Southern Highbush variety with solid traits and later flowering.

'Cooper' is a variety released by the USDA breeding program in 1987. It was developed specifically for the conditions of the Gulf Coast regions of the southeastern USA. It is a variety with stable, balanced characteristics and no significant flaws. Compared to other early varieties, it blooms slightly later, providing an advantage in areas prone to late spring frosts.

Key Highlights:

• Later flowering: Reduces the risk of frost damage to blossoms.
• Balanced traits: Solid fruit size, firmness, and flavor.
• Stable yield: Moderately productive and reliable variety.
• Higher chill requirement: Needs more chill hours than extreme low-chill varieties.

Origin and Registration

• Origin: USA (USDA breeding program). Released in 1987.
• Genetics: Cross of G-180 x US75 selections.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Medium vigor, grows upright.
• Chill hours: Higher within the Southern Highbush group. Not suitable for areas with extremely mild winters (like South Florida) where dormancy cannot be reliably broken.

Fruit

• Size: Medium-sized, uniform berries.
• Quality: Average firmness and a good stem scar.
• Flavor: Good, balanced, typical blueberry aroma.

Resistance and Requirements

• Cultivation: Requires careful management. Mulching is essential to maintain plant vigor and health.
• Frost: Well-suited to avoid spring frosts due to its slightly delayed flowering.

Harvest and Usage

• Usage: Suitable for fresh consumption and home processing.