ECLIPSE asparagus
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Origin & history
- ‘Guelph Eclipse’ is a male hybrid developed at the University of Guelph, Ontario (Canada).
- Experimental number UG005 before being officially named Eclipse.
- The rights holder is the University of Guelph; plant variety protection was granted around 2017.
Main characteristics
- Type
- 100% male hybrid — no berry production; this promotes spear production.
- 100% male hybrid — no berry production; this promotes spear production.
- Hardiness
- Hardiness zones ≈ 2-8 (cold + varied climates)
- Hardiness zones ≈ 2-8 (cold + varied climates)
- Stem color & quality
- Green stems, thicker than standard varieties. Firm, uniform heads.
- Green stems, thicker than standard varieties. Firm, uniform heads.
- Productivity/precocity
- Good yields, especially early in the season. Better maturity than some existing varieties; faster early harvest.
- Good yields, especially early in the season. Better maturity than some existing varieties; faster early harvest.
- Tolerance/health
- Better tolerance to leaf diseases.
- Better tolerance to leaf diseases.
- Production life
- Perennial plant; once well established, it can produce for a long time. More than 15-20 years depending on conditions.
Advantages & things to watch out for
Advantages:
- High yield, so good for commercial growers and gardeners who want productivity.
- Early productivity: you can start harvesting relatively early compared to some varieties that take longer.
- Good stem strength: thickness, firmness, ability to withstand bad weather conditions.
- Resilience in cold climates—tolerates harsh winters well.
Things to watch out for/limitations:
- Like all asparagus, the plant needs to be well established—this requires patience (lower yield for the first 2-3 years).
- The soil must be well-drained, rich, and deep. Very heavy, poorly drained, or compacted soils reduce plant health.
- Spacing is important for good yields. If plants are too close together or poorly maintained, this can affect yield or stem quality.