blueberries - how to water

[queen of the cobs]

I've just bought 3 blueberry bushes, and repotted into large-ish pots. Am going to think about planting out on the allotment next summer, but I guess I'll have to dig a lot of ericaceous compost into the ground? And then re-dig more in each year? (It almost seems easier to keep them in pots!)

I know they don't like to be fed from the tap - my water but is empty (would you beleive it after all this rain, but I have a lot of pots) so I was wondering what I should do - I know they hate to be dry, so is it better to water them from the tap rather than not at all?

thanks.

[Two_Sheds]

No, I wouldn't.
I had a house mate who watered his bonsai with Evian ...

[rustylady]

Depends on the PH of your tap water. I see you're in London, so I don't think your tap water should be too limey

[Two_Sheds]

here's a map of hard water areas Hard water areas and how it effects your diswasher

You can just look in your kettle ... if it's got limescale, then don't water your blueberry from the tap

[peanut]

You're better to water with tap water than to let your plants dry out.

I give mine tap water when i need to and have never had any problems, I also use slow release ericaceous food and mix in water retaining granules.

[piskieinboots]

... but I guess I'll have to dig a lot of ericaceous compost into the ground? And then re-dig more in each year? (It almost seems easier to keep them in pots!)

it is easier to keep them in pots, I have four bushes, they live in pots with the correct soil and I am (already) blueberried out this year

You're better to water with tap water than to let your plants dry out.

I give mine tap water when i need to and have never had any problems, I also use slow release ericaceous food and mix in water retaining granules.

Ditto Peanut, I do exactly the same and they are blueberryiferous

[lainey lou]

I live in a very hard water area, but if my water butt runs dry I also use tap water, mine are perfectly happy!

[Gwyndy]

My blueberries didn't do much while I kept them in pots but have flourished since I planted them directly in the ground. Dig out large hole and fill with ericaceous compost. Ideally water with rainwater but the golden rule is not to let them dry out. If my water butts are getting low I fill one of them with tap water and let it stand for a week or so. I have not had any problems.

No need to dig in more compost each year - use an ericaceous feed periodically.

[WrexTheDragon]

Mine also get rain water, but when not available tap water is fine and has done no harm. So far this year I have had about 2 Kilos from each bush with more to come.

[toastie]

This is my first 'season' with my first blueberry bush and its laden with fruit - only wish the sun would shine so they would ripen. When we first bought it we put it into a 'pot' which basically was a wooden box which is about 18" x 18" x 18" which we filled with ericaceous compost. Have also watered it with a feed which can be used for azaleas etc and its doing well. With all the amount of rain we've had, haven't really needed to water it 'by hand' too many times but have used rainwater. Have to move it to a different spot soon (as we've got another half plot and partner will be making a proper fruitcage. Will put it back in its box as its got plenty of growing space at the moment.

[WrexTheDragon]

This is my first 'season' with my first blueberry bush and its laden with fruit - only wish the sun would shine so they would ripen. .

Sounds like you have a late variety, they will start to go blue soon so don't worry.