Blueberry plant named `HX`

Abstract

A new and distinct low-chill blueberry (Vaccinium) variety ‘HX’. The parent of ‘HX’ is ‘Avonblue’ (unpatented) an interspecific hybrid of several species. ‘HX’ is(a) free flowering without the use of growth regulating chemicals,(b) has the lowest chilling requirement on all commercial cultivar,(c) has the earliest fruiting of all commercial cultivar,(d) is resistant to phytophthora cinnamomii and(e) its fruits ripen uniformly.

Description

[0001]Vaccinium. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a blueberry Variety, ‘HX’ Blueberry plant.[0003]The closest known variety is its parent ‘Avonblue’ (unpatented) an interspecific hybrid.[0004]The variety ‘HX’, was developed by Hartmann's Plant Company.[0005]Vaccinium hybrid ‘HX’ was derived from an open pollinated seed tested as E-2. The parent of ‘HX’ is Avonblue (non-patented), an interspecific hybrid of corymbosum, ashei, darrowi and australe. Plants of ‘HX’ were hybridized at Hartmann's Blueberry Lane Plantation, located in Earleton, Fla. The hybridization took place in 1973 and testing resumed of the variety from that date until the present.SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY[0006]The following is a summary of the description of the new and distinct variety of blueberry, its flower, fruit and foliage based on observation of specimen grown in Earleton, Fla.[0007]‘HX’ is free flowering without the use of growth regulating chemicals. ‘HX’ is a multi-stemmed, er...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]‘HX’ was asexually propagated in a cultivated area of Earleton, Fla. in 1973 utilizing soft wood cuttings. The plants so propagated have shown that the unique features of this new Vaccinium plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Problems solved by technology

The fruit is suitable for fresh markets, but cannot be stored for long periods of time.

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