The Farthing blueberry, a southern highbush cultivar released by the University of Florida in 2007, is a popular choice for its robust growth and prolific fruit production. It thrives in warmer climates due to its low chill hour requirement and early ripening, making it suitable where other blueberry types might struggle.
Key Characteristics of Farthing Blueberries
The Farthing blueberry has a low chill hour requirement, typically 100 to 300 hours, allowing it to thrive in milder winter climates. The plant exhibits a vigorous, compact growth habit, forming a dense bush with strong canes.
Farthing blueberries produce medium to large fruit with exceptional firmness and a crisp texture. The berries are sweet, with a good flavor profile, and feature a small, dry picking scar, contributing to their excellent shelf life. They are dark blue, though the stem end may retain a reddish or purplish hue. These berries ripen early, typically in April or May, with a harvest period extending for about six weeks.
The cultivar demonstrates notable disease resistance, developed to be less susceptible to common fungal infections. It shows above-average resistance to root rot and stem blight, and good resistance to leaf spot diseases and cane canker. However, algal stem blotch is the most common disease observed.
Successful Cultivation and Care
Establishing Farthing blueberries begins with selecting an appropriate site. They thrive in areas receiving at least six hours of full sunlight daily, tolerating some afternoon shade in hotter climates. Proper drainage is important, as well-drained soil prevents root rot.
Soil preparation is crucial. Farthing blueberries require acidic soil, ideally with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.2, though a broader range of 4.0 to 5.5 pH can be acceptable. Amending the soil with organic materials like peat moss and compost improves texture and acidity; avoid mushroom compost or manure due to high nitrogen. Elemental sulfur effectively lowers soil pH when thoroughly mixed around the plant’s drip line, though it can take several months to adjust.
When planting, space each Farthing blueberry bush five to six feet apart for adequate growth and air circulation. Hydrate the root ball before planting. Consistent watering is paramount, especially during establishment and fruiting, with plants needing one to two inches of water per week.
During fruit ripening, this can increase to up to four inches weekly. Deep watering two to three times per week, allowing the topsoil to dry slightly, promotes healthy root development and prevents overwatering. Check soil moisture by digging a few inches down.
Fertilize with care, as blueberries are sensitive to excessive nutrients. Use acid-specific or slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. Apply in a ring around the plant, ensuring it does not directly contact the roots. A general schedule involves three applications per year: when new spring growth emerges, after bloom, and after harvest. Discontinue fertilizing before winter dormancy.
Pruning maintains plant health and maximizes fruit production. The optimal time is late winter, typically January or February. Remove older, less productive canes to encourage new, vigorous growth. Selectively remove weak, twiggy branches to improve air circulation and concentrate energy on fruit-bearing wood.
Prolific flowering may require dormant pruning to prevent over-fruiting and reduced berry size. In the first year, remove flowers or developing fruit to allow the plant to focus on root and bush development.
Harvesting and Yield
Farthing blueberries are ready for harvest when they develop a dark blue color and detach easily. Hand-picking is preferred, as ripe berries readily fall with a gentle touch.
This cultivar has high yield potential. Mature plants, typically three years or older, can produce 5 to 10 pounds of berries per bush. While some yield is possible in the first year, full productivity is usually reached from the third year onwards. The extended harvest season, lasting up to six weeks, allows for prolonged fresh berry enjoyment.
Addressing Common Challenges
Growers may encounter issues when cultivating Farthing blueberries, but most can be addressed. Lack of fruit or low yield can stem from insufficient chill hours, hindering proper leafing and blooming. Poor pollination is another common cause; Farthing blueberries benefit from cross-pollination with other southern highbush varieties. Improper care, such as incorrect soil pH or nutrient deficiencies, also negatively impacts fruit production.
Pests can threaten blueberry crops. Birds are a common nuisance, attracted to ripening fruit; netting is an effective control. Farthing blueberries also show some susceptibility to gall midge injury.
While Farthing blueberries have good overall disease resistance, algal stem blotch is a known susceptibility. This condition, caused by green algae entering through small injuries, can be mitigated by avoiding plant damage and ensuring good air circulation. Root rot can occur from consistently waterlogged soil due to poor drainage or overwatering, despite the Farthing’s resistance.
Nutrient deficiencies manifest in visual signs. Chlorosis (yellowing leaves with green veins) often indicates iron deficiency, caused by high soil pH (above 5.2) making iron unavailable; correct by lowering pH with elemental sulfur. Nitrogen deficiency results in pale green or yellowish leaves and reduced growth.
Phosphorus deficiency might cause stunted growth and a dark green to purple tint on leaves. Magnesium deficiency presents as yellowing or reddening between leaf veins on older leaves. Potassium deficiency can lead to dieback of shoot tips and marginal leaf burn. Boron deficiency may cause deformed young leaves with halted growing points. Regular soil testing helps identify and correct these issues.