By Karla Arboleda University of Florida (UF) researchers are working to establish honeybee hive recommendations specific to Florida blueberries. Right now, Florida blueberry growers rely on honeybee hive recommendations from research based in other states. Rachel Mallinger, an assistant professor in entomology at UF and part of the research team, said the amount of honeybees available to pollinate blueberries is …
Managing Pests in Florida Blueberries
By Karla Arboleda Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are working on techniques for managing pests in Florida blueberries. Both blueberry gall midge and chilli thrips are problematic for several blueberry varieties. Oscar Liburd, a professor of entomology at UF/IFAS, shared findings from the past season on managing pests. PEST ACTIVITY AND IDENTIFICATION …
Potential Hurricane Damage to Southern Highbush Blueberries
In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association has sent out an article by University of Florida experts detailing the potential damage blueberry growers could experience in Hurricane Dorian. Read the article here. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata …
How to Deal with Blueberries in Summer
By Karla Arboleda Summer weather is in full swing in affecting Florida crops, and blueberries are no exception. During the summer, algal stem blotch can dominate blueberry fields if not handled quickly and properly. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, explains the important steps to take. “In the summer when …
Beetle Borer in Blueberries
By Janine Spies Since 2014, several Florida blueberry growers have reported seeing tunneling or girdling on the canes of their blueberry bushes. Oscar Liburd at the University of Florida has been investigating the source of the damage in blueberries along with his graduate students Lindsy Iglesias and Krystal Ashman in the Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory. In the summer of …
U.S. Blueberries Gain Traction in India
U.S. blueberries have gone global, making a splash in India at a Blueberry Cocktail event. Donald Van De Werken, proprietor at JD Farms, said the event was a huge success. According to a report from Bollywood Town, Glocal Junction, Andheri, a new-age dining and bar concept incorporating global and local elements, hosted the event. Food and drinks made with U.S. …
U.S. Blueberries Making an Impact in India
By Alison DeLoach Blueberries have recently become a very popular and healthy snack option in India. Anusaya Fresh, a U.S. distributor of frozen blueberries, is releasing product at Global Junction in Andheri, Mumbai. According to the Food and Beverage News website, FnBnews.com, Anusaya Fresh, JD Farms and Rajv Khinchi will be working together to launch the Blueberry Cocktail event. Dinesh …
Natural Gall Midge Management in Blueberries
By Alison DeLoach Gall midge has been wreaking havoc in blueberry crops across the Southeast. However, introducing more insects into your production system could help solve the problem. Renee Allen, area blueberry agent with University of Georgia Extension, recently spoke about the advantages of using beneficial insects that are natural enemies of blueberry gall midge. Blueberry gall midge destroys the …
Gibberllic Acid Tested on Southern Highbush Blueberries
By Breanna Kendrick Gibberellic acid (GA) is a plant growth regulator that is used to increase fruit size and quality. Researchers know that it works on rabbiteye blueberries recovering from freeze damage when flower parts were injured and weren’t able to be pollinated. Juanita Popenoe is a multi-county fruit production agent for the University of Florida for Marion, Orange and …
Improving Mechanical Harvesting of Fresh-Market Blueberries
By Fumiomi Takeda The growth of the blueberry industry in the past three decades has been remarkably robust. For the blueberry industry to remain competitive and sustainable, growers are seeking solutions to ever-increasing problems with labor shortages and rising labor costs for harvesting blueberries by hand. More growers are now using over-the-row (OTR) mechanical harvesters to pick blueberries for the …