- Chilling requirements: 600 hours.
- Bloom time: Blooms several days after Tifblue.
- Ripening period: Ripening occurs from mid-June to July in Southern Mississippi.
- Plant yield, vigor and growth habits: Blooms are relatively self-fertile. Plants are productive, vigorous, have an upright growth habit and possess tolerance to higher pH soils.
- Plant pathogen susceptibility: Ira has been outstanding for cropping over a wide range of environments in North Carolina.
- Berry quality: Berries are medium size, medium blue color, have an excellent picking scar, good firmness and aromatic flavor. Berries are resistant to fruit cracking during wet periods and have a good post-harvest shelf life.
- Harvest techniques: Ira may be hand or machine harvested.
- Breeding history: Released by North Carolina State University in 1997; patented.
See also: Rabbiteye Blueberry Varieties
Reference:
Braswell, John. Establishment and Maintenance of Blueberries. 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.