Apricot/Blueberry pruning.

[goosander]

Have been trying the search thing but had no luck.
When is the best time to prune Apricot and Blueberry bushes. Also my Apricot bush which I overwintered in the greenhouse had loads of flowers. I went round them as I did with the peach tree pollinating them with a small soft paint brush. Not one fruit.
Thank you for any help.
Bob.

[nickdub]

The apricot I would prune any time now - pollination can be an issue if the atmosphere is very dry at the time, and we had some hot weather this year.

Not sure on the Blueberry but I'd guess when they are dormant is the likely answer.

[ameno]

For the apricot, any time during vigorous growth - late May to late August - like a plum. Apricots can get silverleaf, too, although they are less susceptible than plums or cherries are.
Unless you have one of the dwarf varieties, though, I'd recommend pruning it on the later side, some time in August. Unless, that is, you fancy pruning it twice. Apricots are very vigorous, and if you prune it now it will only put on lots more new growth before the end of summer. Mine can grow 4 feet in a summer.

[nickdub]

If you have a vigorous growing apricot in a relatively small space, then unless you know exactly what you are doing, pruning twice ie now and later in the summer would be my advice.

[fluffybunnyuk]

With the blueberry its important to wait until its set its buds for next year.
Once its fruited, remove all, and any that arnt likely to fruit. That gives it the best to lay down reserves for the winter, and to set new budlets. When it goes dormant... the season called "winter" is usually a good time... then you can prune some of the middle out to allow the sun in, and remove the old growth. I usually snip off any really dark green curled leaves...I dont like the thought something might be trying to hide there, and encouraging all those nice new green leaves to develop. Chopping off budlets is a bad idea if you like fruit...
I keep about a 1:1 ratio of fruit to leaves, mostly cos i fear oversetting.
Mines still not at the fruit colouring stage, so its a long way off for me.