Blueberries "River": description and characteristics of the variety

The owners of household plots try to accommodate not only vegetable crops and flowers, but also fruit and berry plantations.Everyone wants to drink cold fruit drink on a hot day or sit for a cup of fragrant tea with jam on a winter evening. Yes, and just like fresh berries, many. And I also want the berries to be not only tasty, but also healthy, and give a stable harvest. One of the satisfying these criteria is the blueberry "River".

For the first time, blueberries as a garden plant appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The first was bred "Bruke", then "Russell". As a result of the interbreeding of these varieties among themselves and the addition of blueberries grown in the southern regions, four more valuable varieties were bred. To date, there are about fifty.

The variety of blueberries “River” was bred in the late 80s of the 20th century in New Zealand, when the country took part in the US international breeding program. Three varieties were taken as a base: Erliblyu, Bleukrop and Ashwort. As a result of breeding work, it was possible to isolate the best qualities from the original varieties and combine them in the new. High yield, fast growth, fruit quality and bright taste make it particularly recognizable. The variety gained particular popularity in the USA and Canada. In these countries, it is grown on an industrial scale. And also it is quite popular among European manufacturers.

Blueberries "River" refers to tall varieties. It is a shrub with a rather voluminous crown, reaching a height of up to two meters. The branches of the plants are powerful, well-branched. Young shoots appear annually in large numbers. It grows pretty fast. The average sheet size is with a matchbox. The very green is brilliant.

Fruiting grade begins three years after planting. The first harvest can be collected up to one kilogram of selected berries. After 4-6 years, the harvest from one bush will grow to five kilograms. Experts note that yields may vary due to a number of factors. Ten kilograms declared in the description from a bush are very difficult to achieve, yet they cultivated a variety for a slightly different climate and soil.

Blueberries are blooming with fragrant white flowers that have a light pink stripe and a light blush. Blueberries are a cross-pollinator, so to achieve maximum yield during flowering, other flowering fruit and berry crops should be present nearby.

Maturation begins in the second half of July. Berries are covered with a waxy bloom and become dark blue in color. The diameter reaches 1.5 mm and weighs about two grams. In the brush can be up to twelve berries. The fruits themselves are dense and resilient, but not solid. To taste the berries are sweet-sour, with a fruity berry and blueberry aftertaste, as well as very fragrant. The variety tolerates transportation and storage.

Grade "River" is becoming increasingly popular every year due to such advantages as:

• medium-large berries have a presentable appearance with a large number of wax coating, ripen in clusters and are well kept;
• begins to ripen one of the first;
• adapts well to new soil and climatic conditions;
• begins to bear fruit in three years;
• unpretentiousness;
• has resistance to diseases;
• the ideal ratio of the amount of jelly pulp and delicate skin;
• is rich in vitamins;
• The appearance of the bush can be used for decorative purposes.

Despite all its advantages, the Blueberry variety “River” has a number of disadvantages, namely:

• with too abundant fruiting, the berries become smaller, and the taste changes to a fresher one;
• requires frequent and competent pruning;
• long blooms;
• berries ripen gradually, but not all together;
• the skin is painted slowly.

The Blueberry variety “River”, which is famous for its unpretentiousness, needs care and proper planting to ensure the earliest and most abundant fruiting.Acid-base balance of the soil for planting should be in the range of 3.5–4.5. Bushes are planted by the belt method, leaving up to one meter in a row between them, and from three to four meters between rows. For landing, you can use the grid two and a half and a half meters.

It is recommended to mulch the soil at the branches. For these purposes, the bark of coniferous trees, sawdust is perfect, but in no case should you use chips or peat. A layer of 10–15 centimeters will be enough to slow the spring vegetation (the emergence of shoots). To accelerate the warming of the soil mulch can be moved. To loosen the ground should be shallow and neat.

Water the plant must be regularly and in sufficient volume, if necessary, water can be acidified. Excess alkalis in water changes the acid-base balance in its favor and can lead to chlorosis (lack of photosynthesis). For the formation of a beautiful and straight bush, experts recommend tying young shoots together. And you can also create a fence that will form a bush.

Blueberries "River" quickly gained popularity among buyers. Most reviews about it are positive. Owners celebrate rich taste and unpretentiousness. Berries are left fresh, frozen or processed into fragrant and healthy preparations for the winter. Many people like the availability of the collection, it can be produced both manually and automated. Among the shortcomings, the buyers noted that the size of the berries was not very large and the yield was low compared to the declared one.

See how to plant blueberries and care for them in the next video.