Blueberries

[willebee]

How do you grow these, apart from buying a bush from a nursery? I have tried cuttings but they didn't take. Couldn't find any seed so I planted some blueberries in a pot in compost. Got some plantlets and planted them out but they died very quickly. Can't be 100% sure they were Blueberry plants as I don't know what the leaves look like. they might just have been weeds from the compost. Need help.

[willebee]

[Old bird]

Hi Willebee

I have about 7 blueberry bushes now - but I bought them all!  I would buy a plant or two from either a nursery or whatever and then try cuttings - not good on that one so won't advise!

Mine are doing well - so far this year and I seem to have a lot of fruit. I think that this year I may have to net them as I lost quite a few to blackbirds last year - and there weren't many to be had anyway!!

Good luck with yours = when you get them tho!

Old Bird

;D

[flowerlady]

They do like very acid soil! Mine is growing in the shade too  :-\

[willebee]

Thanks for the info so far. Is this a good time to buy the bushes?

[davholla]

Thanks for the info so far. Is this a good time to buy the bushes?

I think not ideally fruit trees and bushes should be planted when they are dormant eg in winter.

Unless they are container grown.

[Amazin]

Probably a bit late in the day but if your local Pound shop (or similar) has any left, grab 'em. That way you'll either get a great blueberry bush from which to experiment with cuttings... or you'll only have lost a quid.

;D

[Isleworth]

Homebase have them in stock at the moment @ £6.99 for good sized bush... if you have one local

[ladybizzy]

Tescos have some small ones at £4.99 too  :)

[GrannieAnnie]

Since it can take years for them to produce a reasonable crop do yourself a favor a get good sized bushes and at least two kinds for pollination.

[willebee]

 :) Thanks for all the info so far,  it seems I will need to clear a space. What size of space do you think I need for , say 4 bushes, to allow them to develop properly. We have a recipe for the muffins, but bought blueberries never seem to taste as good as home grown, so I am eager to taste the fruits of my efforts.

[davholla]

:) Thanks for all the info so far,  it seems I will need to clear a space. What size of space do you think I need for , say 4 bushes, to allow them to develop properly. We have a recipe for the muffins, but bought blueberries never seem to taste as good as home grown, so I am eager to taste the fruits of my efforts.

Where do you live by the way ?  They are lime haters and in many parts of the country really need to be kept in containers.

[PurpleHeather]

 How to Grow Blueberries:

Select healthy young plants from a reputable nursery or garden supply store .

Plant them in the spring. Blueberries grow best is full sun. They need acidic soils with a pH of 4.0 to 4.5. They like clay and other poor or rocky soils. You may need to increase the acidity in your soil to grow healthy bushes. Space blueberry bushes about five to six feet apart. We recommend rows eight to ten feet apart. They will tolerate a little crowding. Mix in healthy amounts of compost and other organic matter. Keep a thick layer of mulch around your blueberry bushes to eliminate weeds, and help keep the soil moist. Water well after planting and in the first few weeks as necessary to promote good root growth.

Now the waiting begins. A new bush will produce fruit in the third year! After that, your bush will thrive for many years to come with just a little care and maintenance.

Add fertilizer once in the spring and again in late summer. The latter application will help to promote buds for next year.

[hazzadazza]

Hi

Hi-jacking the subject, but does anyone know why all the berries that were forming on my blueberry have dropped off in the last week?

:(

[willebee]

Thanks Purpleheather. Its possibly a bit late this year to plant as I still have to clear a space which I can only do at weekends. My soil should be great its very clay bound from the red sandy clay to the blue slipper clay in different parts, My son used some of blue to make a pot at school. I'll need to check the acidity of the soil, I'm sure someone on the site will have an idea on how best to do that. Look for progress reports.

[PurpleHeather]

If you manage to get a plant at a good price now, buy it. Then check the roots. If it is getting pot bound, re-pot it in a bigger pot.

Place the pot in the place you intend to plant it permanently (you can always move it when you tend to the ground, but put it back after).

Plants like to adapt to their new area above the ground as well as below and it will settle in better when you do actually plant it for good.

That is true of any plant. It also means you will see if the plant is happy or not where you are thinking of planting it.

[RosieMcPosie]

sorry to hijack, but quick question:
people are saying blueberries take a few years to produce fruit- i bought mine last year from tescos but they are already growing berries... are these no good to eat then? :( i was all excited!

[davholla]

sorry to hijack, but quick question:
people are saying blueberries take a few years to produce fruit- i bought mine last year from tescos but they are already growing berries... are these no good to eat then? :( i was all excited!

You can eat them.  It depends on how old they are when you buy them !!!

[GrannieAnnie]

Many years ago I made the mistake of buying 3 plants by mail from a cheapo company. They were about 3 inches high and took about 5 years to bear ::)  and I think one was trampled by kids since it was so hard to see. Live and learn ::)

[davholla]

Many years ago I made the mistake of buying 3 plants by mail from a cheapo company. They were about 3 inches high and took about 5 years to bear ::)  and I think one was trampled by kids since it was so hard to see. Live and learn ::)

I bought from ebay last year - they were really good.

[Amazin]

Now the waiting begins. A new bush will produce fruit in the third year!

Perhaps the article Purpleheather quoted from (I found it on the Gardener's network) is referring to seedlings, but generally when you buy a plant it will be around two years old. I've certainly had a crop from every blueberry bush within a year of purchase.

The article also mentions the need for acid soil but says they like clay and, in my experience, clay soil is generally alkaline.

Willebee, I'd buy a container-grown plant now if you can find one, as container plants can be transplanted at any time of year. Get a nice big pot, use ericaceous compost and put your blueberry in that. Water it generously - they really don't like to be dry - and Bob's your firkin.

;D