GROWER REFERENCE
Use this guide as a high-level starting point. Trial results vary by region, planting system, and management practices.
At a glance
Blue Steele
A vigorous, high-yielding cultivar bred for firm fruit, low freeze risk, and dependable machine harvest.
Sweet Payback
A high-yielding Southern Highbush cultivar valued for very good flavor, high aroma, and strong freeze recovery.
Timing references
Blue Steele flowers in a window similar to Blue Ribbon and Jersey, while Sweet Payback overlaps IndigoCrisp and O’Neal. Both are being trialed across U.S. growing areas.
CULTIVAR COMPARISON
Compare side by side
Sweet Payback
500 chill hours
7–9 lb per plant
192 g/mm
Very good flavor & aroma
Blue Steele
700 chill hours
6–8 lb per plant
238 g/mm
Very good machine harvest
CULTIVAR REFERENCE
Blue Steele
Late bloom and early-to-mid harvest help reduce freeze exposure. Firm, heavily bloomed fruit is highly suitable for machine harvest and maintains its quality in extended storage.
Sweet Payback
An early-to-mid harvest with strong freeze recovery. Its very firm fruit offers high aroma, good flavor, low splitting risk, and dependable packability through storage and shipment.
