New to Blueberries

[oldie]

I have had a good look through the posts using the s****h, but have not found the exact question or answer. I have just picked up three Blueberry bushes in 1lt pots. One person has said to plant them up incrementally - 2lt pots this year then 3lt, 4lt etc, the other advice was to put them straight into the biggest pot I have - 20". I plan to keep them in containers as my soil has pH8 so I don't want to risk losing them at this stage. What would be best?

[Torreya]

If they were mine, first off, I'd knock them out of the pots and see how much root they've got. You can probably gauge then how far you dare stretch the pot size. In general terms, I'd probably go to a 2litre this year, a 4 next year and then 7.5. Like you, our ground isn't acidic enough to plant them out, you just have to remember rainwater when poss and sequestrene or similar at least 3 or 4 times a year (I really ought to practice what I preach!!). Mine have thrived on neglect for the past 2 years, as they've had no tlc at all yet have produced brilliant crops for the pot size (2.5L)!

[pipkins]

This is quite useful info

How to Grow Blueberries in Pots

[wizzy]

Blueberries



I have increased my pot sizes incrementally with great success. The (now) 3 year old plants have increased in size dramatically and are very healthy bushes, ready to fruit in abundance for the first time this year. Also my (now) 2 year old plants have had one pot size increase since purchase and are also full of buds.

Incidentally I have read that handfuls of pine needles added to the top of the pots "feed" the plants beneficially, also a friend has advised, and I did this last year, giving the bushes coffee grounds and tea leaves, as available. The bushes certainly remained healthy all year. I always used rainwater and did not let them dry out and am hoping for great things by next year for the 5 different varieties I now have. (The feeding advice also applies to hydrangeas)

N.B> Was worried when I saw an article in the local paper about a blueberry farm in W. Norfolk which showed bushes up to 6ft high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am hoping to keep mine in pots!

Hope this is useful to others new to this fruit.

[Bigmallly]

I plan to keep them in containers as my soil has pH8 so I don't want to risk losing them at this stage. What would be best?

Try & get the pH to below 7 as fruit prefer acidic soil.........please correct me if I am wrong.

[Two_Sheds]

I find blueberries absolutely tasteless. Is it just me?

[Jeanied]

I find blueberries absolutely tasteless. Is it just me?

No way are you tasteless, T_S! I think you are a very refined lady!

[parsnip/princess]

[QUOTE=wizzy;629104]

I have increased my pot sizes incrementally with great success. The (now) 3 year old plants have increased in size dramatically and are very healthy bushes, ready to fruit in abundance for the first time this year. Also my (now) 2 year old plants have had one pot size increase since purchase and are also full of buds.

I just love blueberries and would love to grow a bush of my own, and im a complete novice.
Im understanding they stay growing in pots.
Do they need ot be in a sunny area? slightly shaded? protected?
Also when in its life would you expect a good crop from the plant? in its 2nd year or 3rd year??
What soil do you grow it in?
And do you need any feed for it?
sorry if im coming across clueless xx lol

[piskieinboots]

I find blueberries absolutely tasteless. Is it just me?

Yes

I just love blueberries and would love to grow a bush of my own, and im a complete novice.
Im understanding they stay growing in pots.
Do they need ot be in a sunny area? slightly shaded? protected?
Also when in its life would you expect a good crop from the plant? in its 2nd year or 3rd year??
What soil do you grow it in?
And do you need any feed for it?
sorry if im coming across clueless xx lol

- Sunny, as sunny as poss
- Fruit comes best on 2 to 3 year old wood
- Ericaceous soil
- Always a good idea to feed - once they have set flowers I use tomato feed
- always try to water with rain water

I generally get LBs of the delicious blue things

[Capsid]

So, my blueberries get morning sun and afternoon shade, would this explain why the fruit doesn't taste very sweet? Should I try to place them in as much sun as possible?

[piskieinboots]

.... would this explain why the fruit doesn't taste very sweet? Should I try to place them in as much sun as possible?

Yes and Yes

[wizzy]

[QUOTE=parsnip/princess;629267]

I have increased my pot sizes incrementally with great success. The (now) 3 year old plants have increased in size dramatically and are very healthy bushes, ready to fruit in abundance for the first time this year. Also my (now) 2 year old plants have had one pot size increase since purchase and are also full of buds.

I just love blueberries and would love to grow a bush of my own, and im a complete novice.
Im understanding they stay growing in pots.
Do they need ot be in a sunny area? slightly shaded? protected?
Also when in its life would you expect a good crop from the plant? in its 2nd year or 3rd year??
What soil do you grow it in?
And do you need any feed for it?
sorry if im coming across clueless xx lol

The best article I have read is in the March issue of GYO, on page 39, which gives some good advice and tips. I have read numerous snippets in GYO over the time I have had my bushes and work on a trial and error system. For two winters I have kept potted blueberries in unheated greenhouse or summerhouse and stood outside in a sheltered spot in a sunny position for the rest of the year.

A friend kept hers outside in a sheltered garden, with no protection, and had a very good crop the first year (on 2 yr old bushes) tho advice in articles in GYO has said not to let them fruit that year. Have also read they need a good frost to get them fruiting?

Good luck

[piskieinboots]

Have also read they need a good frost to get them fruiting?

I have never given mine any protection at all, in fact - they have been subjected to the horrors that is RAF Benson wind-tunnel, frost-pocket for the last 2½ years and last year was probably my heaviest crop ever.

[womble]

Do you think it's possible to put too many coffee grounds on a blueberry?
I'm putting on one lot a day, it doesn't look too much atm, but I'm wondering if I may over caffeine it or something?

[piskieinboots]

Is it having trouble sleeping?