US PATENT #36263
A vigorous, high-yielding early to mid-season cultivar bred for firm fruit, low freeze risk, and dependable machine harvest.
Built for the early window.
Blue Steele blooms late yet harvests before Duke in North Carolina. Its upright, high-vigor bush carries firm, heavily bloomed berries that stay in packable condition even when left on the plant for extended periods.
ESTIMATED CHILL
700 hrs
2023 YIELD
6–8 lb
FIRMNESS
238 g/mm
MACHINE HARVEST
Very good
COMPLETE GROWER REFERENCE
US Patent #36263 · Possible cross of Southern and Northern Highbush
Blue Steele is a vigorous, high-yielding early/mid-season cultivar with no known disease concerns at this time. It blooms late but harvests early to mid season in North Carolina—before Duke and Legacy. Recommended for North Carolina, it is currently tested there and is being test planted across U.S. blueberry growing areas, with potential for Northern states.
Production & harvest
Estimated chill hours: 700
Production system: Typical Southern Highbush
Hydrogen cyanamide: Recommended in low-chill areas
Machine harvestability: Very good; fully machine harvestable, high tolerance to bruising, and very packable
Per-plant yield: 6–8 lbs per bush (2023)
Fruit quality
Firmness: 238g/mm · Berry weight: 25g average · Diameter: 16–18mm
Brix: 9.8 · Brix/acid: 27.8
Very small, dry fruit scar · Heavy wax/bloom · No observed fruit defects
Flavor: Medium · Aroma: Medium · Storage: Similar to Legacy
Additional field notes: High-vigor, upright bushes produce large early-to-mid-season yields with firm fruit and a heavy wax bloom. Late bloom means buds tend to break together, with a short gestation period of approximately 43 days. Low chance of freeze damage; no splitting observed during heavy rain or prolonged wet conditions. Fruit remains high quality even when left on the bush for extended periods. Flowering overlap is similar to Blue Ribbon and Jersey. No known disease or insect susceptibility at this time.
IN THE FIELD
