Narrative
PINK LEMONADE, tested as ARS 96-138, is a cross of NJ 89-158-1 x Delite (V. ashei). The female parent, NJ 89-158-1 came from a cross of two triploids, NJ 856-1 x NJ 859-1 made by Dr. Nicholi Vorsa (Rutgers University). The clone NJ 856-1 is a cross of G-434 (a sibling of PINK CHAMPAGNE) x NJ 85-CS (a pink-fruited, wild, 2x selection of V. corymbosum). The clone NJ 859-1 is a cross of V. darrowi >Florida 4B= x Rancocas (see attached pedigree, Figure 2). The cross that produced PINK LEMONADE was made by M.K. Ehlenfeldt at Chatsworth, New Jersey in 1991, and was selected in 1996 at the Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Chatsworth, NJ. The selection was subsequently evaluated by M.K. Ehlenfeldt between 1996 and 2004, and also evaluated by C.E. Finn at USDA-ARS/Oregon State University test plots in Corvallis, Oregon. Its general characteristics are, mid-late- to late-season ripening, moderate yields, medium-sized, glossy fruit, bright pink fruit-color, mild pleasant flavor, and good firmness. Table 3 lists color data for PINK LEMONADE; Figure 4 shows fruit of PINK LEMONADE. The bush of PINK LEMONADE is vigorous, upright, and full (1.5 m high x 1.6 m wide). Leaves are glossy green and lanceolate, with a serrated leaf margins. Leaf surface texture is smooth, very similar to that of V. ashei. Winter-time twigs are dusky reddish-brown in color. Limited observations suggest that PINK LEMONADE has some resistance to the blighting phase of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (mummy berry). Flowering time is similar to other southern blueberry germplasm, with flowers developing earlier than those of hardy northern cultivars such as Bluecrop. Plants are hardy in New Jersey, but fruit production is irregular, producing reduced, or no crops in years with late spring frosts, and moderate crops in years with mild spring temperatures. Cropping ability is most likely related to flower bud deacclimation and hardiness in spring. The ideal area of adaptation of PINK LEMONADE is unknown, but its background suggests that it might perform equally well, or better, in milder climates, including areas where rabbiteye cultivars can be grown. Because of the inherent self-fertility problems of rabbiteye germplasm, it is recommended that another rabbiteye cultivar be planted with PINK LEMONADE to ensure good cross-pollination. In some southerly locales, the cultivar Florida Rose, a pink-fruited cultivar recently released by the University of Florida, may be suitable for this purpose.
Cultivar release by Mark Ehlenfeldt cross made in 1991, selected in 1996
NAMED FOR= pink fruit color