Titan: A New Large Fruited Blueberry

The UGA Blueberry Breeding Program has developed a new blueberry named 'Titan.' This will offer commercial growers as well as homeowners a well adapted variety with very large berries. Blueberries have become a major commercial agricultural commodity in Georgia, with most of the production being derived from the rabbiteye blueberry species. Rabbiteye varieties are easier to grow in many respects when compared to other blueberry species, which also makes them ideal for home gardeners. However, the species has typically been characterized by small berry size. Many commercial growers, consumers, home gardeners, and pick-your-own customers prefer large-fruited blueberries for their harvest efficiency and taste. After years of selecting and testing, the UGA horticulturists developed 'Titan' blueberry to offer the largest berry size for a rabbiteye blueberry to date. When grown under suitable conditions, 'Titan' berries can be two to three times larger than typical rabbiteye varieties. The new variety also has very firm fruit that holds on the bush extremely well during ripening which allows berries to achieve an even greater size. The high degree of berry firmness makes 'Titan' suitable for mechanical harvesting. The plant is very vigorous, and has proven to be well adapted across Georgia and the Southeast.