Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium darrowii) CAPE FEAR

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) 'Cape Fear'

Highly productive Southern Highbush variety with large fruits and excellent resistance.

'Cape Fear' is a sibling variety to 'Blue Ridge', released in 1990 by the North Carolina State University and USDA program. Unlike Blue Ridge, Cape Fear focuses primarily on high production and rapid onset of bearing. It is an extremely vigorous variety, highly valued in the horticultural world for its unmatched resistance to wood diseases.

Key Highlights:

• Extraordinary productivity: Bred for high yield potential.
• Very large fruits: Attractive size and good firmness.
• Excellent resistance: Top-tier resistance to stem blight (Botryosphaeria).
• Early onset of bearing: The bush starts producing very soon after planting.
• Quality stem scar, making it suitable for handling.

Origin and Registration

• Origin: USA (North Carolina State University and USDA). Released in 1990.
• Genetics: Cross of US 75 selection x 'Patriot' variety.

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Very vital, semi-erect habit.
• Chill hours: Medium, requires 500 to 600 chill hours.

Fruit

• Size: Very large berries.
• Color and Appearance: Good blue color with a high-quality, small stem scar.
• Flavor: Average (relative to varieties bred specifically for dessert flavor).
• Firmness: Good, fruits handle well.

Resistance and Requirements

• Diseases: Excels in excellent resistance to stem blight (Botryosphaeria corticis), outperforming most other varieties of its time.
• Cultivation: Suitable for regions with milder winters, requiring standard Southern Highbush conditions.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early season.
• Usage: Well-suited for commercial production where yield volume and plant health are priorities.