Gupton Blueberry is a vigorous Southern Highbush variety developed for early fruit production in the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States. It produces medium to large, light-blue berries with very good sweetness, flavor, firmness, and a small, dry picking scar. The berries resist cracking during rainy weather and have good keeping quality after harvest. Gupton is an excellent choice for fresh eating, freezing, baking, preserves, and home fruit gardens. Gupton grows more vigorously and has better longevity than many older Southern Highbush varieties. Its upright growth, dependable production, and early harvest make it especially promising for North Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Plant Details Plant Type: Deciduous fruiting shrub Botanical Name: Vaccinium hybrid ‘Gupton’ Blueberry Type: Southern Highbush Mature Size: Approximately 5–7 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide Sun: Full sun for the best flowering, production, and berry sweetness USDA Zones: Approximately 7–9 Chill Hours: Approximately 500 hours Bloom Time: Mid- to late March under south Mississippi growing conditions Harvest Time: Early to midseason for a Southern Highbush blueberry; generally May through early June depending on location and weather Fruit: Medium to large, attractive light-blue berries Flavor: Sweet with very good fresh blueberry flavor Texture: Very firm Picking Scar: Small and dry Cracking Resistance: Good resistance to rain-related fruit splitting Pollination: Plant with another early- to midseason Southern Highbush blueberry Soil: Acidic, moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 4.0–5.5 Water: Keep evenly moist while establishing and during flowering and fruit development, but avoid waterlogged soil Growth Habit: Vigorous, open, upright growth with a narrow crown Landscape Uses: Home orchards, edible landscapes, blueberry gardens, fruit-producing borders, and large containers ATTRACTS POLLINATORS: Spring flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators Gupton has an estimated 500-hour chilling requirement. It produces medium to large berries with very good firmness, flavor, postharvest quality, and resistance to physiological cracking. Best Pollinator Partners Gupton should be planted near another Southern Highbush blueberry with overlapping bloom time to improve pollination, fruit set, berry size, and production. The strongest pollinator partner from our current selection is: Pearl Blueberry Pearl is the clearest match because both Pearl and Gupton were developed by USDA-ARS for Gulf Coast production and were observed flowering during a similar period in Mississippi trials. Both have chilling requirements in the 400- to 500-hour range. Other Southern Highbush varieties may provide some bloom overlap, including: Jewel Blueberry Farthing Blueberry Rebel Blueberry However, Pearl is the most dependable recommendation from the varieties we currently offer. Actual flowering overlap can vary with winter temperatures and spring weather. Plant the two varieties near one another—preferably within approximately 50 feet—so bees can easily move between the flowers. Do not depend on rabbiteye varieties such as Climax, Premier, Brightwell, Powderblue, or Tifblue to pollinate Gupton. Gupton should be paired with another Southern Highbush blueberry. USDA recommends interplanting Gupton with Southern Highbush cultivars to optimize fruit set, yield, and fruit quality. North Florida Growing Note Gupton’s approximately 500-hour chilling requirement is a good match for the winter chill normally received around DeFuniak Springs and much of the Florida Panhandle. Gupton generally blooms later than several earlier Southern Highbush varieties. Under south Mississippi conditions, its bloom period is often late enough to avoid some late-spring freeze injury. However, freeze protection may still be necessary when flowers or young berries are present. Southern Highbush blueberries usually require more careful soil preparation than rabbiteye varieties. For the best results: Plant in full sun on slightly elevated ground Avoid low areas where cold air settles Use acidic, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter Add aged pine bark when native soil is sandy or low in organic matter Mulch with pine bark or pine straw Keep the roots moist without allowing the soil to remain saturated Provide freeze protection when flowers are open and freezing temperatures are forecast Gupton may also be grown in a large container filled with a well-draining mix formulated for blueberries, azaleas, or other acid-loving plants. Available for local pickup at our nursery in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Shipping is not currently available for this blueberry plant. Wholesale availability may be offered on select sizes and quantities. Please contact us for current inventory and wholesale information. Advanced Nursery Growers1911 McLeod RoadDeFuniak Springs, FL 32435Call: 850-391-2228Email: [email protected]
Related
Related
Related
Related