Description
Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Duke’
Plant Size: 4-6′ H x 4-6′ W (stocky, upright habit)
Soil Type: Acidic soil, regularly moist with good drainage
Light: Prefers full sun
Ripening Time: Early season (late-June to late-July)
Berry: Large berry with savory, mild-sweet flavor
Pollination: Partially self fertile. Plant multiple varieties for better harvest.
Duke is one of the earliest blueberries to ripen! With Dukes you can be enjoying the berries a couple weeks before most other varieties. They bloom around the same time as other blueberries though so pollination and frost aren’t problems for these early producers. This classic favorite has good, reliable crops of powder-blue fruit. In storage the fruit will keep its excellent flavor better than other varieties. However, Duke Blueberries seem to be less adaptable to soil conditions than other varieties. Make sure they are planted in rich, acidic soil that drains well and water regularly.
In fall the orange and yellow foliage gives way to red branches.
Blueberry Type
This variety is a Northern Highbush type of blueberry. These plants are native to wet areas of North America. They have an upright habit and reach a size that is ideal for harvesting. They are the most common on commercial farms and also best for home growers. Northern Highbush plants need rich, acidic soil. They have shallow roots so they require regular water.
Planting Site
Blueberry plants need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. If they are planted in a site that doesn’t receive enough they will not set fruit. Blueberries grow best in rich acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5). You can improve the soil quality and acidity by mixing some organic compost with the soil at the planting site. After planting, mulching around the plant will help it to retain moisture.
Watering
Getting your blueberry plants the correct amount of water is essential to successful growth and fruiting. Blueberries want moist, but not soggy soil. How often you water depends on the weather and soil type. In general you will give them one gallon of water per square foot of plant space per week. This water should be applied once or twice during a week and not lightly each day. Light watering wets the soil surface, but does not saturate the root zone. Regular watering is especially crucial in summer. Even in our area of Oregon you should plan on irrigating your blueberry plants throughout the summer heat. They will not thrive without supplemental water when fruiting.
Fertilizer
To provide your plants with the nutrients that they need they should be feed in late winter through early summer. Use a fertilizer designed for acid loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries. For the exact application times, follow the specific instructions for the fertilizer that you are using. A good rule of thumb is to feed blueberries in March and again in June.
Pests
Deer and birds love blueberries as much as you do. The best way to protect the fruit is to use fencing or netting.
