People in North America have been eating blueberries for a long time. They originally come from Canada, and you can still find them growing in the wild there. They are widely consumed around the world, with many different varieties having been developed to allow gardeners in warmer climates to enjoy their juiciness. The blueberry bush isn’t just one type of plant. There are highbush blueberry varieties (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium darrowii), lowbush blueberry varieties (Vaccinium angustifolium), and rabbiteye blueberry varieties (Vaccinium virgatum).
Blueberry bushes vary in size depending on the variety. Highbush varieties of blueberries typically grow to between 4 and 8 feet in height, while lowbush varieties are generally much bushier and only reach around 2 feet in height. Rabbiteye blueberries can grow up to 15 ft. tall and produce large crops for many years.
Blueberry bushes grow from rhizomes underground, sending up stems that develop into woody branches and eventually produce fruit. The wood has buds that develop and push out either oblong pointed leaves or small tubular white or pink flowers. The flowers drop and form small round green berries. The berries start to turn the characteristic deep blue blueberry color.
Blueberry bushes produce new stems every year. These stems take 1-2 years to grow and develop blueberries. The plant thrives over the years because of the rhizomes underground.
In early spring, new buds appear on woody growth, which eventually forms leaves and flowers. New sprigs that push themselves out of the earth won’t produce fruit unless they are tended to. The flowers of some varieties of plant will turn to fruit and start producing anytime between late spring and early fall. It’s cultivars from the middle and end of the season that on average give the biggest yields.
Leaves will start to drop in the fall and the blueberry bush will start to get ready for dormancy. They don’t become accustomed to the new climate or start pushing out new growth until the following spring and only if they’ve had enough chill hours. Chill hours are hours of cold temperatures below 45 degrees that are not in a row. The plant will start its annual bloom cycle again once it has reached the number of chill hours it needs to know that winter is over.
Types of Blueberries
There are several varieties of plants that grow well in different types of climates.
Lowbush varieties of blueberries are found in the wild in many parts of the Northern US and Canada. These bushes that don’t grow very tall are perfect for an afternoon spent picking berries with family or friends. Patches of lowbush blueberries managed by farmers are not as common as highbush farms. There are several blueberry varieties that only grow to be about 24” tall and can produce fruit in any climate zone from 2 to 7. Some people say that these berries have the sweetest taste out of all the blueberry varieties.
The most common type of blueberry you’ll find in your local grocery store is the highbush blueberry. Highbush blueberries are taller than lowbush blueberries, usually reaching 8 feet in height. They can also grow in a wider variety of zones. It’s a good idea to plant different kinds of highbush blueberry plants so you can have berries throughout the summer and fall. The Sweetheart Blueberry is a half-highbush type of blueberry that can yield up to 15 pounds of blueberries in a year. It can have multiple harvests – first in early summer and again in the fall.
Highbush blueberries that are native to the Southern United States are a recent invention from the University of Florida. Since so many northerners live in Florida and crave fresh blueberries, there has long been a demand for a blueberry variety that doesn’t need a cool dormant season to grow.
These highbush varieties are well suited for gardens with fewer chilling hours (usually 150-200). Planting several varieties of southern highbush can mean harvesting for months on end. In areas where the soil is acidic, they can grow up to 8 ft. wide and tall. Other varieties that are more suited to container gardening will stay a compact 1-2 ft. wide and tall. Varieties like Bushel and Berry’s Peach Sorbet can be grown outdoors year-round in warmer regions like California. The Peach Sorbet berry grows in a more compact bush form, which makes it perfect for containers. You can control soil pH with this plant, which is helpful for warm regions that have clay soil and for regions that are prone to extreme weather events.
Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the southeastern states of the US, such as Georgia and South Carolina. Some blueberry plants can get as big as 10 ft. tall. They are used to long, hot summers and actually need long periods of heat to fully mature. Passionflowers are best for gardeners in warm climates as they cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Rabbiteye blueberries are not grown using the conventional method, resulting in darker fruit with larger seeds. These blueberries can also have what some people might perceive as grit inside of them.
Why Grow in Containers?
If you want to develop your green thumb but don’t have space in your garden, space on your patio, or are limited to a balcony, there’s your why!
Containers make it easier to maintain the moisture and pH levels that blueberries need, since they are sensitive to both too much and too little water and prefer acidic soil.
If you don’t have naturally acidic soil or if you have difficulty with waterlogged soil, growing in containers is also a good choice.
Additionally, birds are less likely to go after ripe berries that are positioned on a patio as opposed to ones that are growing in a garden.
Not only are blueberries delicious, but the bushes they grow on are beautiful ornamental plants. This plant has loads of sweet white-pink blooms in the spring, green foliage and purple-dusty blue fruit in the summer, and a riot of red or orange foliage in the fall.
Choosing the Right Container
Size and drainage are the two most important considerations when choosing a container to house your blueberry bush.
Pick one that has drainage holes and is weatherproof. A large wooden barrel can be used as a planter.
The weight of the container is something to consider when choosing one, as a heavier container will be more difficult to move. Pick a spot for your plant that is either perfect and permanent, or smaller and easier to move when necessary.
For most grown-up cultivars, the container size should be around 24 inches deep and 24 to 30 inches wide. A smaller pot can be used for a younger plant with the intention of repotting as the plant gets bigger.
No patio or balcony space left at all? It’s not as crazy as it sounds to try a dwarf variety in a hanging basket.
Planting
It’s best to plant or repot your bushes in the late summer or early fall so that the roots have time to develop and spread into the new soil before winter.
Mix azalea or hydrangea potting soil and peat moss in a 50-50 ratio and use it to fill your container. Wet thoroughly.
Double the size of the original pot. Loosen the roots of your plant if it is growing in a pot to encourage it to grow into new soil.
Plant so that the surface of the soil is level with the original planting depth on the stem. Water your plant regularly, especially when it is first getting established.
How to Grow
Instead, blueberries have a shallow, fibrous root system that helps the plant anchor in loose substrate and absorb nutrients efficiently. Blueberries have a shallow, fibrous root system instead of root hairs, which helps the plant anchor in loose substrate and absorb nutrients efficiently. They are sensitive to changes in soil and water conditions.
To thrive, these bushes need soil that is acidic, with a pH level of 4.3 to 5.5. It is a good idea to test the soil every year to see how acidic it is, because these plants are very sensitive to changes in pH.
The source of nitrogen and other elements in blended fertilizer can make a difference in the plant’s growth. Acidic fertilizer helps keep the soil pH low and nutrients available while feeding the plant.
Urea based fertilizer is less likely to lower the soil pH then ammonium sulfate, so it is a better choice if the soil pH is already low.
A fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, such as blood meal, is a good choice for Gardens. Arbico Organics is a good place to find high-quality blood meal fertilizer.
It is best to use fertilizers that are low in chlorides or nitrates, with nitrogen sourced from ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate.
Fertilize your lawn in the early spring as the leaves of the grass begin to emerge. Apply fertilizers according to the package instructions. You can work granular fertilizers into the surface of the medium or just sprinkle them on the surface.
You should be careful not to over-fertilize your plants, as too much fertilizer can damage their foliage and roots, cause weak growth that makes them more susceptible to insect and disease damage, and encourage the growth of leaves at the expense of fruit.
It is best to plant blueberries in full sun, but in hot climates it is a good idea to provide some late afternoon shade. Put it in a location where it will get a lot of sun.
Make sure the soil doesn’t get too wet, or it will become saturated. Container plants requiring around one inch of water a week, but be mindful that the soil will most likely dehydrate quicker.
Growing Tips
- Place your containers in full sun for the best yields.
- Plant in acidic soil.
- Keep the soil moist but avoid over-watering.
Care
Sun and Temperature
If blueberries are grown in a desert or in an area where there could be a severe heatwave, they may thrive in the sun but could have a problem with scorching temperatures. Blueberries require sunlight in order to turn blue. They do best with 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.
Different varieties of the same plant can thrive in different regions. Choose a blueberry plant that will do well in the climate of your garden. If you are not sure what you need for your garden, try contacting your local extension office for information about your area.
In order for blueberries to begin growing in the spring, they require a certain number of chill hours, that is, hours under 45 degrees.
The type of blueberry bush you have will determine if you need to take measures to protect it from the cold during winter. It is important to know which type of berries you have planted so that you can ensure their survival during cold winter temperatures. If you have container-grown blueberries, you can bring them inside to protect them from the cold. If your blueberries are in the ground, you can put row covers over the plants and heavily mulch around the base of the plants to keep their roots from freezing.
Water and Humidity
Your berries need a moderate amount of water. They will need more water if grown in sandy soil. Give your berries at least an inch of water a week during the first two years of their life, and increase to 2 inches a week once your berries have doubled in size. The best time to water your plants on a soaker system or drip irrigation is in the morning, and using a mulch will help retain moisture. It is not a good idea to water berries every day or even every other day, as this can cause root rot.
If your berries are entering their dormancy period, you should reduce watering to once a month, if at all. Water the soil regularly, making sure it does not dry out completely. You may need to keep close watch and water by hand to achieve this.
Soil
Blueberries will only grow well in soil that contains a lot of organic matter and has a pH level between 4.0 and 5.5. To help your blueberry plants grow well, test the acidity of your soil and make sure it is at the optimal pH level. If you want to grow your plants in containers, you won’t need to do a soil test. However, you will need to choose acidic soil that can provide the right acidity range. If you want to grow in your native soil, you may need to improve it by adding peat moss and using sulfur or other soil acidifiers.
In order to grow blueberries, you will need a minimum of 18” of soil that has good drainage. It is even better if you have more than that. If the soil holds onto water for too long, the plants may die because they are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot. When planting blueberries, it is important to use a medium that will allow for good drainage. This can be accomplished by adding vermiculite, perlite, or another drainage-improving agent to backfill in clay soil.
Fertilizing
Blueberries need to be fertilized every year, with the exception of their first year after planting.
Fertilize your blueberries in early spring, even before your plants form buds and start to grow this year. The plant needs to have adequate nutrients in order to produce a healthy crop. A fertilizer that is 10-5-5 or berry-specific would be best to use. This fertilizer should be applied over the surface of the soil across the entire root system, not just at the base of the plants.
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