Blueberry soil

[vikicats]

I planted my new blueberry bush in a large-ish pot using multi-purpose compost. Now I realise that they like acidic soil. The plant is not doing as well as I would like although it has only been potted for 2 weeks or so.

Should I repot the bush in the correct soil or is there something I can do to make the compost more acidic?

Thanks

[rustylady]

As it's only been potted up for two weeks, I would buy a bag of ericaceous compost and use that instead of the MCP. I wouldn't put it in too big a pot to start with though, maybe one or two sizes bigger than the rootball.

[Urban]

I think you can also get a tonic for acid soil plants, that you water into the soil, and it makes it ok for them, might save you having to re-pot it

[northepaul]

^ the only problem with that, is firstly its meant for the ground, not pots and secondly it doesnt work indefinately. I would recommend buying the right compots and repotting - otherwise you risk loosing the bush.

[vikicats]

Looks like I'm going to be shopping for ericaceous compost tomorrow then!

[Wendie]

I bought two blueberry bushes early this year and planted them in ericaceous compost. They're both growing great guns now. The experts recommend that you should have two or more bushes close to one another, think it's too do with them being loney so they can talk to one another.

[Two_Sheds]

Just buy the correct compost, it's not so much money

[Kleftiwallah]

Just to be on the safe side, collect rain water for your bush to drink! Tap water may contain lime / calcium. Cheers, Tony.

[mrbadexample]

Looks like I'm going to be shopping for ericaceous compost tomorrow then!

Got to be better than losing your bush.

[Urban]

^ the only problem with that, is firstly its meant for the ground, not pots and secondly it doesnt work indefinately. I would recommend buying the right compots and repotting - otherwise you risk loosing the bush.

Sequestrene is what I had in mind, it can be used in pots, and it is a once a yearly dose, by that time the plant can be repotted whilst it is dormant, op asked if there was any other options, I gave one based on the fact I'd be wary of repotting something once it had just started growing, which will at least check it, and could possibly kill the plant, anyway good luck

[mrbadexample]

I'd be wary of repotting something once it had just started growing, which will at least check it, and could possibly kill the plant, anyway good luck

So how far would you go with removing the "wrong" compost? Would it be enough to lift out the plant with a bit of a compost ball around the roots, or would you go as far as rinsing it all off?

[rustylady]

Apparently it's only been potted for two weeks, so it should be easy enough to remove from the pot. I shouldn't think it's made many new roots in that time.

[Urban]

So how far would you go with removing the "wrong" compost? Would it be enough to lift out the plant with a bit of a compost ball around the roots, or would you go as far as rinsing it all off?

I didn't say I would, also a lot would depend on if it was a bare root, or a potted plant when it was purchased,

[vikicats]

a lot would depend on if it was a bare root, or a potted plant when it was purchased,

It was a bare root when potted, I have lifted it from the pot and very little of the multi-purpose compost came with it. I have now potted it into the correct compost and watered in using rain water.
Hopefully this will help and give it a new lease of life.

[vikicats]

The experts recommend that you should have two or more bushes close to one another, think it's too do with them being loney so they can talk to one another.

Unfortunately I haven't managed to get a friend for it to talk to but I have put it next to my gooseberry so perhaps they can develop a cross species friendship!!
I'll keep my eye out for a friend for it though.