blueberry Variety
Tropical Blue
" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen>
Very early, zero-chill evergreen blueberry variety
Zero-chill Evergreen Blueberry Variety
Breeder: Dr. Scott NeSmith, University of Georgia, USA
Tropical Blue will provide unrivalled fruit quality in zero chill growing regions. Fruit quality, size and flavour are well received by retailers. Well positioned to be a leading evergreen/zero chill blueberry variety globally.
Key Features
Flavour
Great, well balanced sugar acid profile
Yield
3.5 - 5 KG per plant
Fruit Colour
Mid blue attractive berries with a good bloom
Fruit Size
16-22 mm
Firmness
Firm berries with a good shelf life
Disease Resistance
Chilling
0 hours - Evergreen
Agronomy
Evergreen pruning techniques required
Seasonality
Exceptionally early
“It is incredible to see a plant 17 months after planting that is so full of early fruit.”
Comparative Results
Compare key commercial characteristics across our blackberry genetics, including chill type, yield performance, fruit firmness, flavour profile, and market suitability. Use the dropdown below to select a trait and compare performance across our blackberry varieties.
Chill Requirement
Tropical Blue
0 hours
Sweet Duchess
0-100 hours
Gladiator
0–200 hours
Maverick
0 hours
Seasonality
Tropical Blue
Exceptionally Early Season
Sweet Duchess
Exceptionally Early Season
Gladiator
Early to mid-season
Maverick
Early Season
Yield
Tropical Blue
3.5-5 kg/plant
Sweet Duchess
3 kg/plant
Gladiator
6+ kg/plant
Maverick
4.5-4.8 kg/plant
Fruit Size
Tropical Blue
16-22mm
Sweet Duchess
20-25mm (1.8-2.2 g)
Gladiator
18–22 mm (1.8–2.2 g)
Maverick
16-22mm (1.5–2.2 g)
Fruit Colour
Tropical Blue
Mid blue attractive berries with a good bloom
Sweet Duchess
Medium to light with good bloom
Gladiator
Light blue with excellent bloom
Maverick
Medium to light with good bloom
Firmness
Tropical Blue
Firm
Sweet Duchess
Exeptionally firm
Gladiator
Very firm
Maverick
Very firm
Flavour
Tropical Blue
Great, well-balanced sugar/acid profile
Sweet Duchess
Sweet, crisp berries with outstanding flavour
Gladiator
Crisp, sweet, balanced acidity
Maverick
Crisp and sweet with good acid balance
Shelf Life
Tropical Blue
Good
Sweet Duchess
Superb
Gladiator
Excellent
Maverick
Excellent
Use
Tropical Blue
Fresh market, zero-chill growing regions (evergreen systems)
Sweet Duchess
Fresh market, premium brand berry for very early supply windows
Gladiator
Fresh market, including premium listing
Maverick
Fresh market, tropical/zero-chill evergreen production
Growth Habit
Tropical Blue
Semi-upright, moderate vigour
Sweet Duchess
Upright, grower-friendly bush with natural branching
Gladiator
Upright, vigorous
Maverick
Upright, vigorous
Tropical Blue Enquiry
"*" indicates required fields