Blueberries

[stuffed]

Just a quick question... I have read that although a single blueberry plant will produce fruit it is best to have 2 different varieties to ensure cross pollination. It doesn't say anything about the effect of having a few of the same variety. I'm new to this fruit lark and wonder is having a few of the same equal to having a single plant or 2 different varieties in respect of the amount each plant will produce. ???

[stuffed]

[Jesse]

If I remember you need two different varieties, I'm sure that's why I bought two different ones and not two of the same.

[jennym]

Same here, I bought 2 each of three different varieties to make sure - I think the reason is that some produce flowers of a shape that is easier for bees to get into than others - Bluecrop evidently is a good one for this. Also, some varieties produce more pollen than others. Encouraging bees will help pollination. Commercially, they spray the plants with a hormone which encourages the fruit to set without pollination, but they get slightly smaller fruit because of this.

[Tulipa]

I don't know if it is any help but this link has info on cross polination:

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

There is plenty of information on this site.

[stuffed]

Okay this may be me just misunderstanding the info in the link but are cranberries a type of blueberry ???

[rosebud]

Well i have just bought 3 from T& M  that are the same so thats me done for and money wasted.!!! >:(

[stuffed]

Well this is why I asked, I got 2 from woolies in their buy one get one free, there is no mention on the packaging of needing more than one plant.

[Jesse]

extract from Ken Muir site where I bought mine from:

"Two varieties should usually be planted to improve pollination and ensure a good set of flowers under adverse weather conditions."

my understanding of this is that two different varieties will ensure better production when weather isn't ideal but it's not essential to have two different varieties.

more info on blueberries here; http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/resources/articlePDF/Blueberries.pdf

[jennym]

...but are cranberries a type of blueberry ???

They belong to the same genus Vaccinium, but I don't know if one can pollinate the other. I wouldn't think so, but hopefully, someone will know.

[stuffed]

Well I'll see how it goes having just the one variety, if need be I can always get more in the future.
Still interested in the cranberry issue though.

[fluffygrue]

Well this is why I asked, I got 2 from woolies in their buy one get one free, there is no mention on the packaging of needing more than one plant.

Woolies have blueberries? Oooo.. I bought 3 from Van Meuwen last year - one died mysteriously, but the other 2 fruited. Might have to add to my collection if they're going cheap.

Melanie

[stuffed]

£4.99 each but they are buy one get one free at the moment.

[lin]

I came online specifically to find out about blueberries... I bought a pack of three from Costco this morning, they were about £7 which is not bad for three plants, but I noted in the  "planting tips" that it said: plant two different varieties close to each other for cross pollination - which confused me too as they only had the one variety: Vaccinum corumbosus.

So I shall just plant them near each other and hope for the best. Although having read that someone on here was successful in getting blueberries with one type, shall wait and see.

I could always buy one of a different type next year if I get no berries and plant it nearby!!!

[stuffed]

Yes I think I'll see how it goes and maybe get a different variety next year if I need to (or even if I don't, a few more plants always sounds good ;))