U.S. Patent PP21,553
Southern Highbush Blueberry Variety
- Fruit Size: Large
- Chill Requirement: 200 hours
- Growth Habit: Very upright
- First Harvest: Around April 10 near Gainesville, FL
Description: Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ is one of the newest releases from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences blueberry breeding program. Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ may be used for early season production on deciduous plants from Orlando, FL to Gainesville, FL.
Plants of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ are very early-ripening and have an upright growth habit. The plant of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ is vase-shaped with stout, upright stems, and a smaller plant stature. Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ has a superior ability to leaf strongly during flowering. Plants of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ have high yield potential and survive medium to well in field conditions, although plants may be susceptible to blueberry bud mites.
Fruit of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ ripens extremely early, about 10 days before that of ‘Star’. Flowers of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ are 50% open by approximately February 3, and fruit of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ is 50% ripe by approximately April 24 in Windsor, FL. Berries of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ average 2.45g. Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ has very open clusters of flowers and berries due to remarkably long pedicels and peduncles, which may be due to the presence of sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) in its pedigree. Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ produces very loose berry clusters with medium berry detachment force, and may have potential to be harvested mechanically. Berries of Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ have a mild flavor with a good balance of sugar and acid, and mature berries maintain quality for a long time on the plant.
- Average Berry Weight (g): 2.8
- Fruit Firmness (g/mm): 228
- Soluble Solids (%): 10.9
- Titratable acidity (%): 0.25
- SS/TA Ratio (%): 63.9
License Availability: For a list of current licensees in the USA, please click here.
License Availability:FFSP Has licensed the following entities for the Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’ cultivar outside of the USA
| Licensed Territory | Licensee | Type of License |
| Argentina | Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. | Exclusive License |
| Brazil | Dole Berry Company | Exclusive License |
| European Union | Rusticas del Guavaquir SA | Exclusive License |
| Japan | Ozeki Blueberry Nurseing Co., Ltd. | Exclusive License |
| Mexico | Hortifrut S.A. | Exclusive License |
| New Zealand | Gourmet Blueberries, Ltd. | Exclusive License |
| Peru | Hortifrut S.A. | Exclusive License |
| Republic of South Africa | Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. | Exclusive License |
| Uruguay | Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. | Exclusive License |