Rabbiteye blueberry cultivar Snowflake

#The new and distinct variety of rabbiteye blueberry originated from a hand pollinated cross of Florida - K.times.NC 1830 made in 1981 at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station experimental blueberry greenhouse in Gainesville, Fla. The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization were germinated in a greenhouse during the winter of 1981-1982. Resulting seedlings were planted in the spring of 1982 in a field on the University of Florida Horticultural Unit at Gainesville Fla. The seedlings fruited in the spring of 1984 and one, designated FL 84-106, was selected for its outstanding fruit quality and early ripening, as compared to other known varieties.

#During 1984, the original plant selection was propagated asexually by rooting softwood cuttings, and a test planting of 15 plants was established. Other rooted cuttings of this clone have been grown in the University of Florida blueberry breeding greenhouse to obtain information on fertility and fruit quality under greenhouse conditions.

#The new variety has been asexually propagated on at least three other occasions by softwood cuttings. It roots readily from softwood cuttings and grows well in the cutting nursery. In all cases in which the clone has been propagated by cuttings, the vegetative and fruit characteristics of the original plant have been maintained.

#The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the fruit and leaf of the new variety in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this character.

#The following is a detailed description of the pomological characteristics of the subject blueberry clone. Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations of averages set forth as accurately as practicable.

#The description reported herein is from specimens grown in Gainesville, Fla.

#Plant: