Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) REKA

Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) 'Reka'

Extremely productive and early New Zealand variety with excellent flavor.

'Reka' is considered the jewel of New Zealand breeding and the most outstanding of the three sister varieties ('Puru', 'Nui', 'Reka'). It stands out primarily for its phenomenal and stable productivity, reaching an average of 9.3 kg per bush at maturity, significantly outperforming even global standards like 'Bluecrop'. It offers an early and concentrated harvest of high-quality fruits with excellent taste and shelf life.

Key Highlights:

• Record-breaking yield: One of the most productive varieties on the market (over 9 kg/bush).
• Very early harvest: Concentrated ripening at the start of the season.
• Excellent quality: Firm fruits with a small dry stem scar (long shelf life).
• Great taste: Aromatic, sweet, and popular.
• Vigorous and strong growth with an early onset of bearing.

Origin and Registration

• Origin: New Zealand (Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre). Breeder Franklin H. Wood. Patented in 1989.
• Genetics: Cross of 'Earliblue' x 'Bluecrop' (from seeds originating in the USA).

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Vigorous, upright with a slightly spreading habit.
• Shoots: Young shoots are characterized by green-pink coloration and fine pubescence (hairiness).
• Flowering: Flowers grow in large clusters (8–12 flowers) and are white with a subtle pink tint.
• Productivity: Very early onset of full production (from the 5th year).

Fruit

• Size: Medium to large (14 mm diameter, 1.6 g weight). Smaller than 'Puru' but larger than 'Earliblue'.
• Color: Light blue to greyish blue.
• Quality: Fruits have a small and dry picking scar, ensuring excellent storage capability.
• Flavor: Excellent, aromatic.
• Harvest: Berries do not drop spontaneously but grow in denser clusters.

Resistance and Requirements

• Resistance: The variety has lower resistance to fruit splitting (risk during heavy rains at ripening time).
• Cultivation: Due to vigorous growth and high yield, it requires regular pruning and sufficient nutrients.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Harvesting: Most of the crop (up to 95%) ripens within a short period, allowing for efficient harvesting.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Early (start of the blueberry season).