06-30-2008, 01:15 AM
Have not yet seen 'em.
Have heard of a few -- Waimea, Volcano, and upcountry Maui.
In the past I've assisted in blueberry research and production in a professional context (Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana), and helped my father with growing a few.
When we owned land in Mountain View (1600' elev, S Kopua Rd) did a good bit of background reading to consider how they would do.
Reckon it is possible in some places with the right varieties. [we sold that land in 2005 for an obnoxious 3 times what we gave for it in 2001 -- and used that money to fund our three 20-something children's college education).
Should we invest in good land up high again, will definitely proceed to see what we can do.
If I may take the liberty of a couple of suggestions:
1. Definitely look for some 'low-chill' varieties -- Florida and Mississippi have some that looked promising to me (Google and read up on 'low-chill').
2. Keep to the higher elevations to try to get a few days of temperature below 50 degrees F.
3. Real soil, not rocks, is essential -- blueberries have extra-fine roots and suffer badly if those tiny hair-like roots are restricted in anyway.
4. The roots also require water at easy disposal -- they won't go far to find water.
Finally: should you grow any, I MUST be the first taste tester!
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Have heard of a few -- Waimea, Volcano, and upcountry Maui.
In the past I've assisted in blueberry research and production in a professional context (Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana), and helped my father with growing a few.
When we owned land in Mountain View (1600' elev, S Kopua Rd) did a good bit of background reading to consider how they would do.
Reckon it is possible in some places with the right varieties. [we sold that land in 2005 for an obnoxious 3 times what we gave for it in 2001 -- and used that money to fund our three 20-something children's college education).
Should we invest in good land up high again, will definitely proceed to see what we can do.
If I may take the liberty of a couple of suggestions:
1. Definitely look for some 'low-chill' varieties -- Florida and Mississippi have some that looked promising to me (Google and read up on 'low-chill').
2. Keep to the higher elevations to try to get a few days of temperature below 50 degrees F.
3. Real soil, not rocks, is essential -- blueberries have extra-fine roots and suffer badly if those tiny hair-like roots are restricted in anyway.
4. The roots also require water at easy disposal -- they won't go far to find water.
Finally: should you grow any, I MUST be the first taste tester!
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park