Blueberry bush - under conifer hedge?

[kfan]

I bought a blueberry bush last year and it produced a bit but not as much as it should. It is standing next to a fence in dappled shade in a grassy area.

I read that it does need acidic soil, mine is neutral. Would it help if I replant it next to my conifer hedge, as somehow I seem the remember (maybe I am totally wrong!) that their pines produce a very acidic mulch? I thought that will save me a lot of effort trying to get the pH more acidic around my blueberry bush...

Or any other tips to make it produce better?

[Nicos]

It'd certainly be more acidic- but my thoughts would make me wonder if it would be moist enough ( think of wild blueberries growing on high damp acidic moors)?????

[kfan]

Hmm, that is true, it is relatively moist and very sheltered, maybe if I add lots of compost in the hole before planting and keep mulching it? I attached a pic of the place I want to plant it, it is south/west facing.

This pic is taken mid-summer and now there is a lot of ground cover and different hellebores around.

[northepaul]

They do also like sunlight. It looks quite dry in the picture, but thats not a problem if you water it (obviously with rainwater) often, and the acidic pine needles is good, but I would certainly add some acidic compost too, just to maintain a more acidic balance for it.
Another point is that blueberries produce far more fruit if they have a pollinator, ie another blueberry of different variety. You dont say how old the blush is?
They dont tend to produce a significant volume of fruit until they are 5 +

Hope that helps

[chris]

The berries will be much sweeter in the sun.. ones I have in pots that don't get as much as the others in pots are bland in comparison.

Edit:

You could dig a pit out, and line it with old compost sacks, that'd help keep some moisture in, from the conifers too...

[kfan]

Thanks guys! That is very helpful. Although I have no idea what type I currently have but I'm sure I can find out. The pic was taken in mid summer so usually not as dry as it looks there but def something to think of. Maybe the lined pit is the best option.

Since I bought it as an established bush at the nursery I am not sure how old it is exactly, I had it 1 year now. Can't wait to get a good harvest!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Personally I would dig out and line as advised above, but to kick start things I would fill the hole with ericaeous compost.

I have only had my blueberry 2 years and last years harvest was over three times the weight of the first years. So good things to come for you.

Colin

[FB.]

The best results I've ever had from blueberries was:

1.
Dig a big pit, about one-and-a-half spade depths.

2.
Line the bottom half of the pit (half a spade depth) with plastic sacks. No matter if the sacks are not watertight or if you have to overlap two or three to cover the bottom of the hole - but as long as they cover enough of the soil and come halfway up the sides of the hole, to slow the drainage.

3.
Fill with an equal mix of compost and ordinary garden soil.

4.
Plant blueberries.

5.
Water very heavily with rainwater.

-

The idea is that several inches down, the drainage will be impeded, so the soil remains heavy, which in turn, absorbs acidic atmospheric gases and behaves just like acid rain.

The upper level not being lined with plastic sacks allows overflow of excess water (to prevent drowining) and allows some air access for the roots to not suffocate.

The blueberries can then find the ideal wetness and acidity for their roots to work best. In addition, the very heavy/boggy soil deeper down takes a long time to dry out, so the blueberries don't need much watering.

[kfan]

Thank you for all the tips guys! I bought now two more plants from different varieties (since I had no idea what my variety was) and dug in a tub with a few very small holes which stands in the bottom half of the hole where I planted them. I filled it with ericaeous compost so hopefully my blueberries will be happy now!

Are there any small plants I can plant around them that would like the same environment?

[Nicos]

Cranberries????

[northepaul]

yep, I have cranberries with my blueberries - very nice autumn foliage too.

[kfan]

Great, sounds like a nice combi!

[northepaul]

The best!

[kfan]

hihi, if you say so, can't argue

[Ananke]

Glad you asked about this kfan, I bought a blueberry bush, on impulse, last year and just stuffed it in an empty spot until I read up on what to do with it. Never did get around to reading up, so this helps.