Technical sheet of the Estive blueberry variety
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Fruit Flesh Color: Not Specified (but fruit color is dark blue to black)
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Skin color: Dark blue to black, sometimes described as intense blue-black.
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Size and shape: Small to medium (depending on the source, some indicate small size, others medium to large), firm, well grouped on the bunch. Estimated diameter between 10 and 13 mm.
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Tree Size: Medium to strong vigor, reaching 1 to 2 meters in height, with a spread of 1 to 2 meters. Upright habit.
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Fruit maturity: Very early, harvest from mid-June, sometimes early July. Harvest in groups over 2 to 3 weeks, or in one go by cutting the bunches.
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Fruit taste: Tangy with a woody dominance, reminiscent of the taste of wild blueberry. Tannic notes. Very aromatic, rich in chlorogenic acid.
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Earliness of the variety: Very early.
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Fruiting period From mid-June to early July.
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Disease resistance and storage: Very hardy, withstands cold down to -25°C. Keeps well in the fresh. Disease resistance not specified in detail, but considered "classic" or "moderate".
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Variety yield: Very productive, suitable for professional needs.
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes, but cross-pollination with other varieties improves yield. Recommended varieties for cross-pollination: 'Bluetta', 'Patriot', 'Duke', 'Collins' and 'Stanley'.
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Commercial use: Fresh consumption (lovers of distinctive tastes), processing (jam, desserts, juices), very good resistance to freezing, nutraceutical industry (rich in chlorogenic acid).
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Comments: Produces fruit with a very aromatic taste, similar to wild blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), with the productivity advantages of the American shrub blueberry. Harvesting is easy and quick thanks to the firmness of the fruit and the density of the clusters.
Quick read / the essentials on Myrtillier Estive
The 'Estive' blueberry bush has established itself today as an essential reference for demanding producers looking for precocity, quality and typicality. Coming from French selection on Vaccinium corymbosum , this cultivar combines woody flavor, firmness and excellent processing ability, all assets that appeal to both fresh markets and those of the artisanal industry. At Bairiverse , a wholesale supplier specializing in blueberry plants , we provide professionals with the best strains of 'Estive' to guarantee abundant and uniform harvests.
Ideal for an early harvest from mid-June, 'Estive' is characterized by small to medium-sized fruits, a beautiful dark blue to black color, offering a tangy and woody flesh, sought after for the production of juices, jams and high-end desserts. Thanks to its excellent post-harvest stability and its high juice content, this variety perfectly meets the requirements of short supply chains and processors. Buying Estive blueberry plants from Bairiverse means ensuring robust, high-performance plants adapted to the constraints of the terrain.
With medium to strong vigor, a naturally upright habit, and improved self-fertilization through cross-pollination, 'Estive' demonstrates valuable adaptability to various French production areas. By choosing our expertise as a specialist wholesale supplier of blueberry plants , you are investing in long-term performance and reliability. Buying Estive blueberry plants from Bairiverse also means benefiting from tailored technical support to ensure the success of every stage of your project.
Blueberry 'Estive'
The 'Estive' blueberry is a French selection resulting from breeding work on Vaccinium corymbosum . It is distinguished by its remarkable precocity , its distinctive woody flavor reminiscent of wild blueberry, and good processing ability . It is particularly aimed at producers looking for a productive , robust variety that can be used both fresh and in processing.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the 'Estive' blueberry have a dark blue to black skin and are small to medium in size , generally less than 13 mm in diameter. The shape is generally spherical , typical of shrubby blueberries. The flesh is not precisely described, but would be, by analogy with wild blueberries, white to wine-red in color .
Their flavor is tangy and woody , with pronounced tannic notes . This typicality, combined with a high content of chlorogenic acid and other phenolic compounds , makes it a fruit appreciated for high-end processing (juices, jams, flavorings). The sugar level (Brix) remains moderate, much lower than that of very sweet tasting varieties.
The fruits have good firmness , which gives the variety excellent post-harvest shelf life . This characteristic facilitates fresh marketing and freezing .
The juice content , between 78% and 82% , demonstrates good extraction suitability for processing circuits.
Harvest period and yield
'Estive' is one of the earliest varieties on the market , with harvesting beginning in mid-June and concentrated over a period of 2 to 3 weeks . Ripening is relatively clustered , which allows for mechanical or manual harvesting in one or two passes , often in whole bunches.
The average yield per plant is not precisely documented, but the variety is described as very productive , meeting the expectations of professionals. In optimal conditions, we can expect performances comparable to varieties such as 'Duke' (up to 6 kg/plant/year).
Plant behavior
The 'Estive' blueberry bush displays medium to strong vigor . It reaches 1.5 to 2 meters in height at maturity, with a spread of about 1 meter , with an upright habit , less wide than it is tall. This natural habit limits the need for staking. Light staking may nevertheless be recommended in the first few years to properly guide the structure.
The variety is non-remontant : it produces a single annual harvest .
Fertility and pollination
'Estive' is self-fertile , meaning it can bear fruit without any other variety. However, cross-pollination significantly improves yield , fruit set and fruit size. It is therefore strongly recommended to combine 'Estive' with other varieties that flower synchronously (late May to early June) .
Recommended pollinators : 'Bluetta', 'Patriot', 'Duke', 'Collins', 'Stanley'.
Resistance and adaptation
'Estive' has moderate disease resistance: it is considered classic , with no particular weaknesses but inferior to the most resistant varieties such as 'Bluecrop'. It is nevertheless suitable for the professional circuit with standard health management.
On the parasite side, professional feedback indicates good overall tolerance , without there being any specific numerical data.
The root system is shallow (80% of the roots in the first 40 cm). This makes the variety susceptible to root asphyxiation . It is therefore crucial to provide well-drained soil .
'Estive' requires an acidic soil , like all Vaccinium corymbosum . No specific data on lime tolerance are available, but a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is recommended.
Water needs are regular, but drought resistance is not precisely documented . Well-managed irrigation is essential.
Melliferousness and flowering
'Estive' is a honey-producing variety. Its flowering, in March-April , lasts 3 to 4 weeks . The flowers attract pollinators, especially bees, whose presence can increase yields by 13 to 36% .
Longevity and culture
Like other blueberry shrubs, 'Estive' can live from 30 to 50 years in professional conditions, with optimal productivity from the 3rd or 4th year .
For planting, a spacing of 2 to 3 meters between plants is recommended to ensure good ventilation and optimal foliage development.
The variety is generally grown on its own roots , no specific rootstock is currently recommended for cultivation in France.
Commercial uses
The fruits of 'Estive' are suitable for fresh consumption , particularly for markets looking for distinctive and authentic flavors . Their firmness, woody aroma and dark color also make them an excellent variety for artisanal or industrial processing (juices, jams, frozen desserts).
Conclusion
The 'Estive' blueberry combines precocity, productivity, moderate hardiness and typical taste , all in a French variety adapted to the French climate . Its ability to be valued both fresh and in processing , its post-harvest stability and its compatibility with mechanical harvesting make it a reliable solution for professional producers wishing to position themselves on differentiated markets.
To summarize: Myrtillier Estive
The 'Estive' blueberry bush brilliantly combines precocity, authentic flavor and excellent storage capacity, valuable qualities for producers wishing to differentiate themselves in demanding markets. At Bairiverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of blueberry plants , we rigorously select our 'Estive' plants to guarantee you an optimal start and long-lasting performance.
Its production cycle concentrated over 2 to 3 weeks facilitates both manual and mechanical harvesting, while its natural firmness allows for uncompromising use, both fresh and in processing. The root behavior requires well-drained and acidic soil, but good agronomic management allows this variety to flourish fully and deliver yields worthy of the best references on the market. Buying Estive blueberry plants with Bairiverse means opting for vigorous plants, capable of ensuring quality production for several decades.
Thanks to its floral attractiveness and its compatibility with numerous pollinators, 'Estive' also optimizes its fruit-setting potential naturally. Incorporating this variety into your orchard means betting on reliable and sought-after production, whether for fresh or high-quality processed products. As a wholesale supplier specializing in blueberry plants , Bairiverse remains your preferred partner for purchasing Estive blueberry plants and building the future of your farm on solid foundations.
