The Tropical Fruit Forum

Temperate Fruit & Orchards => Temperate Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: odin.9 on December 07, 2021, 12:36:40 PM

Title: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: odin.9 on December 07, 2021, 12:36:40 PM: I stumbled upon a HUGE blueberry "tree" on the lot next to my property. Apparently, it's a Vaccinium arboreum. There are many wild-growing bushes all over the wooded areas in my area mostly 4 ft to 7 ft tall. This one is the largest at over 20ft. The berries have blueberry flavor but are mostly skin and seed (so not worth picking).

Anyone have experience growing these? Or grafting them? I found some info saying OSU was trying to use them as rootstock for commercial varieties.

I'm in N. Florida (panhandle).

Vaccinium arboreum
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/sparkleberry.html

grafting reference
https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/new-blueberry-growing-system-could-help-improve-efficiency/

(https://i.postimg.cc/9wX6yw86/IMG-7343.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9wX6yw86)

(https://i.postimg.cc/9zW56smL/IMG-7344.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zW56smL)
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: CarolinaZone on December 10, 2021, 05:26:31 PM: Does it hybridize with other vacciniums?
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: Jaboticaba45 on December 10, 2021, 08:34:54 PM: I have several large ones in the woods, not that big, around 10 ft. I have seen ones that big when hiking though.
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: Galatians522 on December 10, 2021, 09:27:55 PM: Quote from: CarolinaZone on December 10, 2021, 05:26:31 PM
Does it hybridize with other vacciniums?

Only if you have a lot of patience and the resources to obtain plants that have had their chromosomes doubled. That being said, it has been done by the University of Florida.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289917518_First_Report_of_Vaccinium_arboreum_Hybrids_with_Cultivated_Highbush_Blueberry&ved=2ahUKEwi8iNLc19r0AhXMQzABHSULBYkQFnoECDIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0MjcxvGw27iGli5EjUNlLP
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: odin.9 on January 20, 2022, 10:15:28 AM: so no one has tried some backyard grafting of v. arboreum?

I may have to give it a try myself...
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: vall on January 20, 2022, 01:50:11 PM: I heard it mentioned a couple months ago through CRFG San Diego. As it might be more tolerant of our soils than blueberry. Not sure if the person followed through and grafted.
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: odin.9 on January 25, 2022, 12:57:44 PM: the fact that there was a group in Oregon trying to also do it give me hope that it may be possible.
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: mysteryknight on June 01, 2022, 03:20:23 PM: Would you consider sending seeds to CRFG-San Diego peeps? I know the person that is gonna raise them for blueberry rootstock.
Title: Re: 20 ft tall wild blueberry (N. FL) - Vaccinium arboreum ("sparkleberry")
Post by: 850FL on June 19, 2022, 03:31:51 PM: I think it would be more viable as a rootstock itself rather than being grafted onto something! I have not been able to root these from cuttings, either.. Not saying it's impossible, but comparatively blueberries are easy. Easiest option for these would be cutting out root suckers. What others in vaccinium are best graft compatible anyway?