Blueberry Virgin

[CADS]

Hello,

I have recently brought 3 blueberries plants from Suttons which were being sold at half price. 1 early Duke, 1 Bluecrop and the last 1 doesn't have a name on it but it is suppose to be a late variety.

Well, they arrived today so I have a couple of questions.

Firstly, I don't have anywhere on the plot to put them yet so plan to put them in pots this year, what size pots should I use? And lastly, one they are established in the pots can I move them into the ground next year?

I thought the plants would be bigger but this is what I got.

Thanks
CADS

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi Cads,

I purchased a Blue Pearl from Marshalls last year about the same size as yours. Because of the need for ericaceous soil (they hate lime) it was always going to stay in a pot. I put mine straight into a large 16" pot and away it went. Had a few berrys last year but this year the bush itself seems to have grown over winter and is full of buds so hopes are high.

Colin

[purplekat]

They look like they're in a 9cm/3" pot so personally I'd go up to a 6" pot, and pot on again once it's a bit bigger. Use ericacious compost or peat - I don't really like using peat but that's what the wild ones like to live in.
What's the soil like on the plot?, I thought Surrey had quite alkaline/limey soil - blueberries won't grow in the ground if it is
Also, water them with rain water if you have hard tap water as that contains lime too

[CADS]

Thank you both for replying.

I have found some 14" pots in the garage so will use those for now. DH keeps moaning that this grow your own hobby is costing him money too much money . Funnily, he didn't complain about me buying the blueberries plants because he knows ds adores blueberries, actually they are just for him, the rest of use don't like them unless they are in muffins. Guess, I will have to learn to bake!

I will most probably leave them in pots permanently as it seems easier than trying to change the soil on my allotment.

CADS

[northepaul]

By the way, they'll be fine to be put in the ground next year from pots this year - although as previously said, they need acidic soil. You could start preparing the area now - adding horse manure, pine needles and good old acidic soil from the garden centre.
They are still small so dont expect (much) fruit for a good few years yet.

[Hassan]

I bought the same a while back and they arrived mid march i think, i put them in bigger pots and put them outside, i think i have killed two of them by not putting them in to acidic soil and putting them out to early.

The early one has some new leaves but the mid and late had some but they seem to have shriveled up now, is there anyway i can save them?

[northepaul]

I think its amazing and very unprofessional of of plant companies not to specify that blueberries need acidic soil.
Point of fact, you should at least complain to the company you bought them from, Hassan & CADS.
Hassan try repotting in acidic soil, it might work. At the very least you know what to do next time.

[gojiberry]

Size of pot will depend on the variety as they do vary in ultimate size. Mu biggest ones are about a 5ft bush and the smallest 2ft. As you can imagine a 5ft bush requires quite a large pot. The internet should give you varieties and size as all mine have long since lost the labels.

Ian