Woolies Blueberries

[otto_nowak]

Bought a blueberry bush from Woolworths to replace one of mine that had died.  I assume it's Bluecrop as most seem to be, but the variety isn't named on the package.  Anyone have experience of these? Clues to the variety would be welcomed.....!!

[otto_nowak]

[Amazin]

Not sure what the Woolies ones are, Otto. I've got a couple of theirs and I assume they're Bluecrop (the're very good by the way). If you can get hold of a named variety other than Bluecrop, you should be okay for cross-pollination and a good harvest.

[valmarg]

I bought two blueberry plants from Woolies last year.  I bought a bag of ericaceous compost, and potted them up.  They both died.

valmarg

[Rob08]

I bought two blueberry plants from Woolies last year.  I bought a bag of ericaceous compost, and potted them up.  They both died.

valmarg

I kept one going through all of winter and it died in early spring, no reason that I could discern.  Am willing to try again though.  They do like acidic soil don't they?

[otto_nowak]

They do indeed, but I find that the water I use on them has more effect. Only rainwater...

[Amazin]

Sorry to hear that, Valmarg.

Yup, rainwater does the trick. There's one variety (Bluecrop? Patriot?) that can cope slightly better with less ericaceous compost and tap water at a pinch. I also empty my unfinished coffee pot, including grounds, onto them.

[alipally]

This is very interesting as I have had no success with blueberries in the past.  I knew about the acid soil  but I didn't no about the rainwater and what does the coffee do?  After losing relatively expensive plants in the past I bought some from Poundland yesterday and will buy some of the 99p ones from Lidl on Friday when the offer starts and hopefully I might get some fruit.  If successful, do they fruit the same year or will I have to wait till next year?  Any advise is very welcome please.
Thanks
Alison

[Amazin]

As I recall, mine grew very well and fruited the same year. The coffee grounds (and used teabags) add a kind of 'mini-mulch' and are good for putting on acid-loving plants - I put them on my citrus too.

[George the Pigman]

I am interested in the Poundland ones (being a true Yorkshireman the price attracts me!). I have had their stuff before and it never grew. All the fruit and rose bushes were bare rooted and obviuosly had been like that for some time. Can you grow bare rooted blueberry bushes OK?

[Amazin]

Yup, I've had them from our local 99p shop as well and not had a problem. Before you buy, just scrape a tiny bit from a stem and see if there's any green underneath. Bear in mind, the plants may have been kept in less than ideal storage conditions before delivery to the shops, so the sooner you can get to them the better chance of survival.

Having said that, I've brought home plants that were practically powder, given them a good soaking and a decent home and they've repaid me ten-fold (who says plants don't have feelings?).

:)

[5rod]

hi all
you must be very luck
try 3 woolies over week end all sold
out of  blueberries
                        :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

[davholla]

Sorry to hear that, Valmarg.

Yup, rainwater does the trick. There's one variety (Bluecrop? Patriot?) that can cope slightly better with less ericaceous compost and tap water at a pinch. I also empty my unfinished coffee pot, including grounds, onto them.

If you have a condenser drier that is a good source of water as well.

Why does coffee help ?   Would tea also be good ?

[manicscousers]

my mum always told me, if you want a plant to stay green, water it with your tea..I take it it's nitrogen..it works with my poeris bush, I mulch it with my tea bags  ;D
I've read about adding coffee grounds to compost to make it ericaceous, haven't tried it, yet  , might try it on my blueberries, 99p from poundland last year, in morrison's black buckets, buried in the ground so they're quite wet, 'specially now  ;D

[otto_nowak]

in black buckets in the ground.... that's a great idea!  Might try that with mine.   

Woollies also have tayberries... are these worth the effort?  Don't know much about them,,,,

[davholla]

in black buckets in the ground.... that's a great idea!  Might try that with mine.   

Woollies also have tayberries... are these worth the effort?  Don't know much about them,,,,

Yes they are really nice - similar to raspberries.

[manicscousers]

yes, we've got one, big fruit and nice taste  ;D

[beckydore]

I bought a blueberry from woolies last year. Still alive but it didn't seem to do much last year (still small and no berries).Have bought 2 from poundland and have also seen Lidl now have them in, I think also for £1.

[manicscousers]

can't think why but our blueberries in buckets, buried in the ground, are starting to flower  :)

[davholla]

can't think why but our blueberries in buckets, buried in the ground, are starting to flower  :)

Why are they buried in the ground is this to keep them in ericaeus compost ?

[manicscousers]

they're in their compost in a bucket, we've buried them 3/4way down to keep them moist  :)