Topic: Blueberries

[Rosymacposie]

Just bought 2 little blueberry plants (thank you Mr Tesco) and wondered where is best to plant them.  I believe they do well in pots but will they thrive better planted in the ground?   I know that they need acid soil (not a problem here).

[jennym]

Not sure where you are in the country, but putting blueberries in the ground has been a success for me in Essex, even though I've had to obtain ericaceous compost to start them off.
Think I've had my bushes growing 4 or 5 years now, and get good crops. You've got acid soil so that's not a problem. But, blueberries don't like to dry out, and there's a real danger that could happen when they're grown in a pot.
Don't know about the quality or size of the Tesco plants, but hopefully you should get fruit in 2 -3 years.

[davholla]

Is your tap water hard?  If so try to give them rain water.

[GlentoranMark]

Blueberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries in Poundland atm.

[bennettsleg]

I've heard that even on acidic soil it is beneficial to line the hole with a good layer of ericacious compost before planting.  My blueberry bush was c.1ft high when I got it last year and it has doubled in size with what looks to be at leat triple the crop of last year! And it's in a pot.

[manicscousers]

ours are in bottomless pots buried in the ground, the pots were filled with ericaceous compost and the ground is plenty damp enough for them  ;D

[amphibian]

My soil is entirely unsuitable, mine are all grown in containers and watered with rainwater only.

[campanula]

water like a maniac, they are tough plants but grow practically in bogs