Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) CALYPSO PBR

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) 'Calypso' PBR

A modern late mid-season champion featuring extreme fruit firmness, superior flavor, and record-breaking shelf life.

The 'Calypso' variety represents a new generation of blueberries that raises the bar for fruit quality. This American cultivar is highly prized for its large, exceptionally firm, and crunchy berries that leave a minimal, dry scar after picking. Thanks to its excellent frost hardiness and the ability of its fruit to stay fresh on the bush and in storage, it is a premier alternative to older varieties in northern growing regions.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Premium Quality: Exceptionally firm and crunchy berries with a heavy waxy bloom.
• Record Hang Time: Berries can remain on the bush for an extremely long time after ripening without losing quality.
• Excellent Flavor: Perfectly balanced sugar-to-acid ratio with a delicate aroma.
• Easy Harvest: Upright growth habit and exposed fruit clusters facilitate gardening work.
• High Productivity: Delivers heavy crops of large berries with outstanding shelf life.
• Good frost hardiness designed for cooler climates.

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: USA (Michigan State University). Breeder: James F. Hancock (crossed in 2002, selected in 2006).
• Lineage: Developed from the cross 'Draper' × 'Elliott'. It contains a small percentage of southern genetics, giving it unique characteristics.

Variety Characteristics

Shrub and Growth

• Vigor and Habit: Strong and vital shrub, reaching approximately 1.3 m in height and 0.9 m in width. It features upright growth with numerous shoots.
• Flowering and Pollination: Blooms late. The variety is moderately self-fertile, but for maximum yield, planting another Northern Highbush variety nearby is recommended to ensure optimal cross-pollination.

Fruit

• Size and Color: Large berries (averaging 2.44 g) of a medium light blue color with a strong protective wax.
• Texture: The flesh is very firm and crunchy to the bite, significantly firmer than older varieties like 'Legacy' or 'Jersey'.
• Stem Scar: Very small and dry (1.5 – 2.0 mm), which prevents decay and extends shelf life.
• Flavor: Sensorially perceived as very sweet and harmonious, backed by a balanced acidity.

Resilience and Requirements

• Frost: Good winter hardiness, well-suited for northern locations.
• Heat: Note that the variety has reduced tolerance to extreme summer heat above 30 °C (86 °F), which may cause fruit softening. It prefers sites with milder summers.
• Diseases: Due to higher acidity in the berries, it is less susceptible to fungal rots.

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest Time: Late mid-season variety. Ripens after 'Jersey' and just before 'Liberty'.
• Yield: Highly productive, suitable for both commercial production and home gardens.
• Shelf Life: Excellent. The fruits are among the best-storing blueberries on the fresh market.