North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Mauch1@aol.com]

Came across this Cornell Website I thought might be of use.  
I particularly like it because it provides sources for the 
varieties it discusses:
http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berry.html

As to blueberries, of the 13 plants (all different varieties) 
I have, I need/want to replace two of them.  Earliblue and 
Patriot, both seem severely virussed.  Patriot seems to be 
now know to have virus problems and Earliblue is highly 
susceptible.  Both were 'early' varieties.

Now my plan is to dig up the old shrubs and remove as much soil as possible.  
Then I'll refill the holes with a good mixture of soil, peat moss, and 
compost. 

The two varieties that I think I'm going to buy as 
replacement are the following:

Duke:  Considered now one of the best early varieties, with 
good flavor and keeping qualities.

Chandler:  The largest berry currently out. Good flavor and 
productivity.  Late.

Other varieties I considered, but have since rejected:
Rubel:  Old 1911 variety.  Highest in anti-oxidants.  
Rejected as it tends to be used for machine harvesting and 
has a small berry.

Spartan:  Good berry, but the shrub has a reputation for 
being particular about the soil its in.  As my base soil is 
actually a heavy clay, I think I should give this one a pass.

Of the other berries I have I'd say Berkley is my handsdown 
favorite.  Good tasting, bears over  a long time.

Bluecrop almost died out one year.  It produced so many 
berries, that it couldn't ripen them all and it died back 
after that. 

I've not been impressed with Elliot so far.  Far too acidic 
for my tastes.

Any thoughts on my variety choices or anything else?


-- 
Chris Mauchline
SE PA, zone 6
40° 5' N    75° 51'W
~650 ft elevation