Blueberry bush

[swampie sue]

Hi

I purchased a blueberry bush from a supermarket a few weeks ago and have planted in a large container. My question is do I need a second bush to get fruit, I think a neighbour a few doors away has one that they got from marshalls, also do I need to do anything to it..

I am sorry but I am very new to all this, I want to make jam from everything that I can squeeze in my limited space.

Swampiesue

[Carl]

Hi,
According to what I've read having two bushes of different varieties improves pollination, it won't fruit until it's 2nd year anyway as it only flowers on old wood - I have one bush in a container with ericaceous compost which fruited for the first time this year, reasonably well it seemed to me, although I have nothing to judge it by - hope that helps,


Carl

[dwrudd]

Hi Swampie,

I too have only one bush, variety Herbert.

It does not require a second bush for pollination but I know that some certainly do. But even these will give some fruit, just not a bumper harvest.

Feed it in spring and late autumn with ericacious feed ( acidic ), this will bring it on no end.

As far as what to look for, the only pest I sometimes get is the little Bl***y fruit fly. When the flowers have died ack, look out for small sticky spiders web type patches, usually sticking two leaves or buds together. These are produced by the larvae which live inside the fruits and emerge to drop into the soil for next years batch. Just pick them off if you see them and they won't give too much trouble.

Then look forward to blueberry muffins and fruit salads for years to come!

Darren

[swampie sue]

Thanks both of you for your advice, I am glad that I don't have to go out and buy another bush especially, though if I come across one I might indulge. If it fruits on this years growth I take it I should not prune it? I shall be making blueberry jam if I am fortunate enough to get enough fruit. So far however my track record has not been good. I put in blackcurrants a couple of years ago, so far nil currants, Raspberries, 3 canes very few raspberries, 3 gooseberry bushes eaten by sawfly. I have a redcurrant bush that I transplanted from another garden, 8oz of redcurrants then sawfly got that too. 3 crowns of rhubarb all went a rusty orange this year.( I am not very good at this growing stuff am I? I am not a gardener as such, I am just trying to make my own jam...At least I did one thing right though, I did plant the blueberry bush in the correct soil.
SS