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Blueberries Care Guide

BLUEBERRIES grow best in full sun, well drained, sandy, organically rich acid soil, (ph 4.5-5.2). Soil ph can be lowered by adding elemental sulphur or gypsum several months prior to planting. Adding sphagnum peat moss in the planting hole at time of planting also reduces the ph.

CONTAINER grown plants can be planted any time of the year, if you are willing to make sure to water them if they are dry. Plant 3 �e - 5�f apart in row. Planting hole should be at least 2 to 3�f wide and approximately a foot deep. Mix at least 10 gallons of sphagnum peat moss (try for a 50/50 mix) with the dirt from the planting hole, pine bark soil conditioner can be used, but peat moss will last longer in the ground. The roots will follow the organic matter as far as it goes. Believe me, this is money well spent.

WATER is critical from time of planting to dormant stage. New plantings with lush growth in dry periods may require daily watering. If in doubt, stick finger in root ball.

MULCH will protect the roots, discourage weed growth and help retain moisture. Any of the following may be used; pine bark, pine chips and needles or pine sawdust. I have a planting in my yard of different varieties of blueberries for our own personal use, that my wife did through landscaping fabric, with bark nuggets on top for mulch and they are doing beautifully.

FEED sparingly 3/4 oz. of ammonium sulfate or its equivalent in urea or a well-balanced water soluble fertilizer, such as �gmiracid�h, for each year of growth (little or none the first year) up to 4 oz. for mature plants. Spread around the drip line, away from the crown (12 to 18�h). This can be done at one time when the buds swell, prior to opening or split into 2 or 3 applications, six weeks apart. In the first year after planting, blueberries need special care to help them become well established. In addition to watering, be sure to remove flowers. This will encourage the plant to channel it�fs first year energy into producing a vigorous plant with many branches and better root system.

PRUNE young plants by removing dead, diseased or damaged canes and twiggy growth each spring. As plants mature, open the center to allow sunlight and good air flow, keeping 8-10 canes arising from the crown by removing the oldest dark cane and remaining low growing, dead and diseased branches and small twigs.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

BROWN LEAVES WITH OR WITHOUT SOME GREEN AT THE BASE OF THE LEAF?
Water not getting into the root ball. Press finger into root ball, if dry, dig up plant and soak in water overnight, then gently break open the root ball and replant, getting roots in contact with soil and watter thoroughly.

WHOLE PLANT DIES WITH LEAVES ON AND BARK SHRIVELED UP?
Was it a weed eater?White Grubs? Dig up, check around mulch line, down to end of roots for white grubs. They will eat all the bark off and some of the small fiber roots. You may find at the ground line that the plant has tried to heal itself before it perished. Scrape with fingernail to see if bark is missing. Grubs are really bad in old sod and under sawdust.

RED LEAVES, NO GROWTH?
Was plant planted deeper than in the pot? Dig up and replant at the proper depth. Is there enough organic matter? Roots need it to feed. Dig up and mix about 10 gallons of sphagnum peat moss in planting hole and replant.Is there a soil problem? Check for a high or low pH. Should be between 4.5 and 5.2. Test soil for iron and other trace elements. Follow recommendation of test laboratory.Has heavy sawdust mulch locked up the nitrogen? Try a water soluble fertilizer, such as miracid, on foliage and to roots.Ground not well drained or heavy clay could cause a root rot problem. Move to another location or some plan of action for better drainage. Heavy clay can be helped with gypsum and organic matter incorporated into the soil.

OLDER PLANTS LOOK GOOD, BUT NOT GROWING?
Is there Scale on bark? Dormant spray oil? Grubs in soil? See above suggestion. Voles? Soil is soft. Similar to a mouse. Bait may work. Too many fruiting buds? Indicated by small twigs under 2", some plants will try to overbear. A good pruning will help.Root rot? Some soil will settle and hold more moisture. See above suggestion. Test soil to check general condition.These are not all of the problems that blueberries have, but this should help with the most common ones that you will run into. Lack of organic matter, wrong soil pH, too little or too much moisture and weed eaters.

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Last modified: 09/29/03