Meadowlark™ ‘FL01-173’

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