Emerald

Emerald has very high yield potential for the mid season in central Florida window, vigorous growth, and large berries with good shipping qualities.

Cultivar name : Emerald (selection code FL 95-209a)

Recommended for Florida : yes

FL region best adapted to : central Florida

Production system : deciduous

Hydrogen cyanamide : recommended; a moderate to high dose can result in earlier fruit ripening.

Machine Harvestability : Possible; tight clusters may need hand picking before any machine harvesting.

Per plant yields (Density 1,452-1,742 plants/acre):​

• North-central FL (2015-2019): 14.6 – 16.8 lbs/plant, average 15.7 lbs/plant (mid-late season)
• Central FL (2018-2020): 5.0 – 8.3 lbs/plant, average 6.6 lbs/plant (reported by grower)

Known disease susceptibility : target spot

Known insect damage susceptibility : none observed to date

Fruit quality data :

• Fruit firmness: 184 – 211 g/mm, average 195 g/mm
• Berry Weight: 1.8 – 2.9 grams, average 2.4 grams
• Berry Diameter: 17.2 – 19.6 mm, average 18.4 mm
• Brix: 9.5 – 12.7, average 11.3
• Brix/Acid Ratio: 13.5 – 36.7, average 26.5
• Fruit scar: normal (small and dry)
• Wax/bloom: medium
• Fruit defects: none observed
• Flavor Score: 19.9 – reference Arcadia (21.6), Kestrel (29.0)
• Aroma: none

Cultivars with overlapping timing of flowering :​

• North-central FL – Magnus, Optimus
• Central FL – Arcadia, Chickadee, Kestrel (all in evergreen system) when Emerald with hydrogen cyanamide application blooms

Other information : vigorous bush, early bloom, long harvest period.

License availability : For a list of current nursery licensees in the USA, click here

Read more: