Blueberries

[rosebud]

Hi Folks, i have just ordered 3 Bluberry bushes from T& M, it says they can be grown in pots can anyone advise which size pot would be most siutable please ,  Thank you Rosebud.

[rosebud]

[amanda21]

Oh I would be interested in this too - just love blueberries and they are so expensive in the shops - a pot one would be great.  :)

[Jesse]

Don't know Rosebud as mine are in the ground, keeping everything crossed that this year we'll get a nice crop as it's the second year of having them. I would have put them in a pot a little bigger than the rootball and keep potting up once a year during their dormant period. I'm sure someone who knows will give you the right information. :)

[amphibian]

I've got some coming too, I was going to put mine in a hanging basket. They like an ericaceous soil and you just feed them with a high potash food.

[mat]

Hi

I have two in my garden, in very large pots as they must be in ACID soil.  My book states the tubs must be at least 18" high.  Personally going on experience (they grow large and require space) I think this is too small and mine are in pots about 30" high and HUGE - bough a few years back from poundstretcher for £5 each.

You will need to net the plants when in fruit, else you will get no fruit - the birds strip the lot just as they get to perferct ripeness - I have been okay previously, but this happened to me this year for the first time, just as I thought I will come out this weekend and pick these  :'(

mat

[Robert_Brenchley]

Pot them in the biggest size you can get, then if you think they'll need something even larger, you've got time to look.

[grawrc]

Not daft the Oxfordshie birds  ;)

[Rose.mary]

I have just bought a blueberry bush from Gordon Riggs, and I know they like acid soil.( the blueberry that is)  I have a patch I have just cleared of old shrubs ,I don't think it has ever been dug before, and has had leaves building up and rotting for years. I was wondering if that would be acid enough ??? ???

Rosemary

[Tulipa]

Rosebud, the Dorset Blueberry Company site says:

Container Growing
Your plants will normally have arrived in 2 litre pots and can be gradually moved up in stages over the years until they reach ½ beer barrel size containers (24 inches or 60cm).
Any container should have adequate drainage and preferably be raised off the ground slightly to allow water to drain away.
Plant your blueberry in ericaceous compost or peat.
Water retaining gel sachets can be added to reduce the need for frequent watering in the summer.
A dressing of pine bark mulch to 2 inches will reduce watering further. Water well after planting.
   
In case you want any more info this is the link:

 
http://www.dorset-blueberry.com/cultivation/preparesite.asp

They are very helpful and supply good quality bushes.  Also have pick your own which was wonderful!!

[mat]

Not daft the Oxfordshie birds  ;)

Well, this year there was definately a bright one in my garden ::)  I ended up eating only 5 fruits in the end, and these were the diddy ones the bird kindly left for me  ;D

[fbgrifter]

Rosemary>> you'll need to do a test on your soil...blueberries need a pH of4 to 5.5

[Rose.mary]

Thanks fbgrifter. Will do. Although the soil is covered with moss so I think it will be OK. But I will test to be sure.

Rosemary