Best Blueberry Variety

Garden blueberries - planting and care

Similar articles

How to plant blueberries in the garden?

Garden blueberry "Nelson" - Vaccinium corymbosum "Nelson"

Minimum temperatures -23.2 / -17.8

Growing garden blueberries

The variety is frost and drought-resistant.

Garden blueberry "Bluecrop" - Vaccinium corymbosum "Bluecrop"

Blueberries and types of garden blueberries

Of the complex fertilizers, only those that do not contain chlorine are needed, for example, these are piafoxan blue and "acyplex" (the latter is a salt for fertilizing marsh and coniferous plants). Usually they are added in 2 steps: first, in the period March-April, with the calculation of 30g / m² for young bushes and already 60g / m² for fruit-bearing ones; then at the beginning of June, here, respectively, 20 and 30gr / m².

Reproduction of annual garden blueberries

The shrub loves high humidity and partial shade, so it is advisable to plant it in appropriate places. The preparation of the soil is affected by its acidity. So, on light soils with pH

Lovers of garden blueberries know that this berry is a real storehouse of vitamins A, B1 and C. In addition, the fruits of this plant have excellent taste. They can be eaten both fresh and frozen. Jam, compotes, jams are made from blueberries. Dried berries are actively used in pharmaceuticals. However, planting and caring for garden blueberries is quite laborious and requires compliance with certain rules. Let's figure out which ones.

Buying blueberries for planting - don't be fooled

When buying a blueberry bush to grow in the garden, be careful. Blueberry seedlings are easily confused with blueberries. There are often cases when blueberries are slipped to the buyer instead of blueberries. These two bushes are very similar. If possible, it is better to dig a bush from friends or in the forest. Just remember that you need a young plant for planting. It should be dug out with a large clod of earth.

How to plant blueberries

Planting is best done in late summer or early autumn. Young bush blueberries are planted in loose and acidic soil. Before placing the plant in the ground, you must first water it with water mixed with food acid. Blueberries are planted in rows, the interval between which should be about 2 meters. The size of the pit for planting is 50 by 60 cm, the depth is about 50 cm. The clod of earth at the root of the plant must be wet, otherwise it will not take root and die.

The crown of trees is the best protection for berries from sunlight

During planting, it is necessary to loosen the soil on the root ball and gently spread the roots. After that, the pit is filled up, the soil is compacted with the feet and watering is performed. Old blueberries (over three years old) need pruning after planting. By shortening the stem to a height of 20-25 cm, you will help the green beauty to settle down in a new place.

Important! Never plant a blueberry bush under fruit trees. This plant does not accept organic fertilizers.

Blueberries do not tolerate direct sunlight. The crown of any deciduous tree, spruce or pine will be an excellent refuge for her. This berry bush is winter hardy. It easily tolerates frost and does not require any additional protection in winter.

Blueberry care

Blueberries are a capricious lady. When caring for this plant, you must:

• Water it regularly. As a rule, once a month is sufficient. It is necessary to add oxalic, acetic or citric acid to the water.

Water the blueberries once a month.

• Make sure that the ground under the bush 10-15 cm deep is always slightly damp;
• Mulch. This will help retain moisture. Foliage, needles, sawdust or bark are ideal for mulching. The thickness of the mulch layer should be at least 4-5 cm.

The most common mistakes

In an effort to provide their beauty with moisture, gardeners show remarkable efforts. Waterlogging leads to sad consequences. Too moist soil can destroy a healthy shrub in just a couple of days.

Another mistake is planting the plant in an open area with an abundance of sunlight. Drying out for this berry is no better than excessive waterlogging. Blueberries should be planted in the shade. If for some reason this cannot be done, be prepared for the fact that in the summer you will have to spray the bush with water 3-4 times a day, otherwise it will dry out.

How to properly trim

Pruning should be started at 3-4 years of age. A variety of bony growths can appear on blueberry bushes, which should be cut off. It is also worth freeing the berry from weak, unhealthy branches. Ideally, a blueberry bush should have 7-9 strong and healthy branches. In order for young and strong shoots to grow on the branches, it is necessary to prune old branches to 20 cm (after 4 years).

Multiple lateral shoots with buds should be completely removed. They give small, late-ripening berries. Bushes over 15 years old are subject to full stem pruning up to 20 cm from the ground. This clipping allows the plant to get, in the literal sense of the word, a second life. Correct and timely pruning will have the best effect on the fruiting of blueberries.

Old branches must be cut to a height of 20 cm

Some gardeners use the blueberry bush not only as a plant that produces tasty and healthy berries, but also as a decorative decoration for their site. They give the bushes any of the most bizarre shapes, adjusting them to the style of their garden.

Blueberry propagation

Breeding methods for blueberry bush:

• dividing the bush;
• seeds.

Seed propagation

Take a handful of ripe berries and mash them in your hands. Add plenty of water to the mixture. Stir. After stirring, berry residues and seeds will float to the surface, which turned out to be empty. Drain them with water and add clean again. Do this until the water becomes transparent. Remove the seeds remaining at the bottom of the bowl. Dry lightly and plant in pots or containers filled with peat.

Blueberry seeds

The first shoots should hatch in about a couple of weeks. It is better for seedlings to winter in a bright room with a temperature of 5-10 degrees. As soon as spring comes, the seedlings should be dived. Such bushes are planted only the next year.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Dig up the mother blueberry bush and divide it into equal parts. This should be done in the fall. It is important that approximately 5 healthy buds remain on each bush.Such "babies" are planted in the same way as two- and three-year-old plants.

Popular blueberry varieties

• Chandler is a one and a half meter bush with large berries.

Chandler variety

• Top Hut is a short plant with small but very tasty berries.

Top Hut variety

• Spartan - reaches a height of 2 meters. It bears fruit with large blue berries.

Spartan variety

• Sunshine - Suitable for breeding in containers. The maximum height is 90 cm. A characteristic feature is abundant fruiting.

Sunshine variety

• Bluecrop is a bush about 1 meter high. Suitable for breeding in containers. The berries are large and sweet.

Bluecrop variety

Collect blueberries only after their color acquires a bluish-black tint. It is then that the fruits can be considered ripe. The fruiting period of blueberries is from mid-summer to autumn. By planting several different varieties, you can enjoy this berry for at least three months a year.

Video: tips for planting and caring for garden blueberries

Foreword

Why is common blueberry considered one of the best plants for planting in the country? Now we will consider the most famous and delicious varieties and hybrids of this plant and find the best option for ourselves.

Blueberry hybrids and their features

Modern breeding has gone very far and brought out hybrids that are many times superior to the taste and yield of an ordinary berry. It is also worth paying attention to its size, since 5 g is far from the limit. Here are the best blueberry hybrids and detailed descriptions of each of them.

1. Garden blueberry Top Hut represents a new stage in the "life" of this plant. This is the first blueberry-blueberry hybrid. The result is dwarf bushes that can be grown even on the balcony in a two-liter bottle. Often used for growing on verandas and for home decoration. The size of the berries is not very large, up to 4 grams, but they are distinguished by the extraordinary taste of blueberries and the smell of blueberries. Disease resistance is very high, practically not damaged by insects and pests.
2. Blingon. A hybrid of blueberries and lingonberries, which was bred in Sweden and this year has already begun to appear at some breeding enterprises in Russia. The first tests went well - bushes 80 centimeters high yielded 5 g of berries, and they grew in a temperate climatic zone. This hybrid is incredibly resistant to diseases - it will not be taken by fungi or pests.
3. San Berry. One of the best hybrids in the United States. In Russia, it is grown only in the southern regions with high humidity. The hybrid is very whimsical to growing conditions. The soil must be acidic, mulched. In nature, it grows in coniferous forests, where precipitation reaches 1200 mm per year. The berries are large, 5 g each, grow in clusters of 6-9 pieces, bushes no more than 60 centimeters high. The plant is evergreen, leaves do not throw off for many years.

These were the best hybrids, and they have excellent palatability. Compared to old varieties, they have slightly larger berries, but their resistance to diseases and frost is much lower.

The best varieties acclimatized in a temperate climatic zone

Good old varieties of blueberries that have been popular for many decades. They have good taste, are resistant to many diseases, and do not require special care. That is why every novice gardener prefers them.

1. Caucasian blueberries. One of the rarest plants in nature, it grows only in the Caucasus Mountains in a small strip, up to 10 kilometers wide. Berries can grow up to 4 g, and their taste has always been appreciated by summer residents. Special care is required for them: mandatory mulching of the soil, watering only with acidified water (2%), a secluded, windless place and a temperature not lower than -10 degrees (cover for the winter). The berries can be up to 14 mm in diameter and have a bluish color.The only variety that can grow up to 2 meters in height.
2. Garden blueberry. One of the most famous varieties that will provide you with a good berry harvest even in the "poorest" year. On the brush, 5-6 large berries weighing up to 4 grams are formed, on average, you can collect up to 0.5 kilograms from a bush, if you take good care of it, and also follow all the rules of watering. It grows on salted soil, it is advisable to add peat. It is imperative to mulch, since the root system will not tolerate drying out.
3. Common blueberry Sharp eye. Perhaps the most famous plant that was imported to all countries of the world and had a relatively high value. You can recognize the Sharp Eye by its characteristic oval shape and a fossa in the place of a flower. Common blueberry is very large, depending on the load on 1 bush. The palatability is simply remarkable: up to 15% sugars, 0.9 mg of ascorbic acid. Bushes grow up to 60 centimeters in height, clusters form 4-6 berries.

If you want to plant tasty and aromatic berries that can be grown in a temperate climatic zone, then the varieties described above will be the perfect option for you. They have proven themselves well over many years of cultivation, they tolerate frosts well, a prolonged lack of moisture, and sudden changes in temperature.

Some helpful tips for growing blueberries

The plant is whimsical, in order to grow it, you need to create optimal conditions. A beginner summer resident can show this process difficult at first, but if you figure it out and know a few secrets, you can easily get a good harvest of these wonderful forest berries in your country house.

1. For planting, use partial shade, since in the forest this is the second or even the first tier and many more broad-leaved plants rise above it. Sunlight will burn the leaves, especially after summer rain and the ensuing heat.
2. A lot of moisture is a must. We water exactly like mulched strawberries, that is, the ground must be constantly wet and under mulch. It is desirable that the land is not covered with sawdust, as always, but under the needles. Then the acidity will be increased - this is very good for blueberries.
3. Salted water (1-2%). It stimulates the root system of the plant in the best way and nourishes it with the necessary minerals. If you want to get dense and large berries, you need to create the right microclimate.
4. Fertilize: Use organics as you would when fertilizing remontant raspberries. Humus is great. 200 grams per 1m2, you can add a little nitrogen to stimulate the plant to gain vegetative mass after transplanting - it will develop faster, strengthen in the ground.

If you follow all the recommendations, you will have a good harvest of berries, and their taste will certainly delight you.

Garden blueberries - planting and care

Similar articles

How to plant blueberries in the garden?

Garden blueberry "Nelson" - Vaccinium corymbosum "Nelson"

Minimum temperatures -23.2 / -17.8

Growing garden blueberries

The variety is frost and drought-resistant.

Garden blueberry "Bluecrop" - Vaccinium corymbosum "Bluecrop"

Blueberries and types of garden blueberries

Of the complex fertilizers, only those that do not contain chlorine are needed, for example, these are piafoxan blue and "acyplex" (the latter is a salt for fertilizing marsh and coniferous plants). Usually they are added in 2 steps: first, in the period of March-April, with the calculation of 30gr / m² for young bushes and already 60gr / m² for fruit-bearing ones; then at the beginning of June, here, respectively, 20 and 30gr / m².

Reproduction of annual garden blueberries

The shrub loves high humidity and partial shade, so it is advisable to plant it in appropriate places. The preparation of the soil is affected by its acidity. So, on light soils with pH

Many in childhood picked blueberries in the forest. But now these berries can be grown in the garden, because they are not only very tasty, but also extremely useful for health.Breeders have bred many varieties of garden blueberries, most of which are frost-resistant. This allows them to be cultivated practically throughout the entire territory of Russia. Garden blueberries are quite demanding on growing conditions, but caring for them is not too difficult. If you first familiarize yourself with the recommendations and rules, even an inexperienced gardener can get a bountiful harvest.

What blueberries look like and how are they useful?

Blueberries belong to the Heather family, just like lingonberries, cranberries and blueberries. In nature, blueberries are widespread in temperate climates. It is ubiquitous in Northern Europe, North America, Asia. The plant is very hardy and bears fruit even in subarctic climates. This makes it possible to cultivate blueberries practically throughout Russia.

In natural conditions, blueberries most often grow in forests or along the banks of swamps, they grow in breadth, covering the ground with a solid carpet

Its Latin name Vaccinium myrtillus (blueberry myrtle) is due to the external resemblance of the plant to myrtle. The common name is due to the fact that the juice of the berries permanently stains the tongue and fingers in a bluish-black color.

Garden blueberry is a deciduous shrub about 1.5–2 m high. Shoots extend from the trunk at an acute angle. The leaves are small, rounded, the edge is carved with denticles. In autumn, they change color from salad green to bright scarlet and purple. The root system is very developed - from one main rhizome there are many short roots no more than 5-6 cm long. They are intertwined, turning into something resembling a pile. The productive period of a plant's life is 50 years or more.

The garden blueberry bush is much larger than the forest one.

Blueberries bloom in May or early June. Flowers are solitary, small, located at the base of green, non-lignified shoots. The petals are greenish-white or with a pinkish tint.

Blueberries are a good honey plant, honey from it is less known than, for example, buckwheat or lime, but it is very fragrant, with a slight reddish tint

The fruit of the garden blueberry is an almost regular spherical berry with a diameter of 1–1.5 cm with a “scar” at the base. They are arranged as if they are lying on the leaves. The skin is bluish-black, covered with a continuous layer of bluish-blue bloom. The pulp is juicy but firm. The juice is purple-violet. The crop ripens in August or early September. On average, you can count on 7-10 kg from an adult bush. Fresh berries can be stored for a month and a half if kept at a temperature of about 0 ° C.

Garden blueberries most often at the end of summer, their fruiting period is extended

The dark color of the juice and pulp is due to the high content of antioxidants. Also blueberries contain vitamins A, C, group B, organic acids, pectin. Of the microelements, the presence of high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, selenium can be noted.

It is a well-known fact that blueberries help improve vision, including night vision, and relieve eye fatigue. It is enough in the morning, about half an hour before breakfast, to eat a spoonful of fresh berries every day. There is no reliable scientific evidence to support this yet. Only a positive effect on the supply of blood to the retina and the renewal of its cells has been proven. Nevertheless, during the Second World War, this berry was included in the diet of pilots fighting as part of the anti-Hitler coalition. And now it is an integral part of the astronauts' nutrition.

Blueberries have long been used in folk medicine. The high content of antioxidants in the juice makes it an effective remedy for combating all kinds of skin diseases, abscesses, ulcers. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial effects, strengthens the immune system.

Not only fresh, but also dried blueberries have beneficial properties.

Leaves can be used too. They are cut off during the flowering of the shrub and dried. The infusion has a tonic, bile and diuretic effect.

Despite all the possible benefits, blueberries are not recommended for stomach and intestinal problems, especially for ulcers and gastritis in the acute stage. Due to the intense color, the fruits often cause allergies. You should not eat berries and lactating women - you can provoke the development of diathesis in a child. And eating together with other berries (garden strawberries, raspberries, cloudberries) often causes an upset stomach.

Garden blueberry has a good yield, it bears fruit stably, annually

Garden blueberries are planted not only for the sake of the future harvest, but also to decorate the garden plot. It is used for bordering paths and reservoirs, creating curbs and hedges, looks spectacular in rockeries and alpine slides. Most often it is combined with conifers.

Video: health benefits of blueberries

Varieties popular with gardeners

The seedlings sold in nurseries under the name "garden blueberry" are nothing more than undersized blueberries. There are still few Russian varieties and hybrids, mainly the achievements of Canadian and American breeders are presented on the market. Many of them were bred with the participation of "real" forest blueberries.

The following varieties are most popular among gardeners:

• Bluecrop. One of the first successful experiments of breeders, the variety has not yet lost its popularity and is considered almost a reference. Plant height up to 2 m, average yield - 9–12 kg per bush. Frost resistance up to -35 ° C allows it to be grown in the Urals and Siberia. The average weight of the berry is about 3 g. The taste is sweet with sourness, refreshing. Regular pruning is essential to maintain high yields.
• North Country. The bush is 1.2–1.5 m high. The variety is one of the earliest, the harvest ripens in mid-July. The diameter of the berry is about 1.5 cm, the fruits are very sweet and aromatic. Productivity - about 15 kg. The plant, in comparison with other varieties, is not particularly demanding on the quality of the soil.
• Herbert. Powerful, spreading shrub, 2 m high or slightly more. Because of its size, it is even called the "blueberry tree". It blooms late, therefore it rarely suffers from recurrent spring frosts. Fruiting occurs in the second decade of August. Productivity - 9-10 kg per bush. The berries are very sweet and large, the variety belongs to the category of dessert. It is valued for frost and drought resistance, rarely suffers from diseases.
• Сhanticleer. A fairly compact plant with a height of about 1.5 m and a crown diameter of up to 90 cm. The earliest variety of garden blueberries, blooms immediately after the spring frost. Harvested at the end of June or at the very beginning of July. Fruiting is annual, but not too abundant (on average 5-6 kg per bush). The berries are sweet, slightly sour, of different sizes.
• Bluegold. The bush is rather low (1.2–1.5 m), but powerful, spreading. The berries are large, 2.5–3 cm in diameter, sweet and sour, collected in bunches of 5–8 pieces. Fruiting is extended, lasts from late July to mid-September. The average yield is 5–7 kg per bush. Frost resistance up to -35ºС.
• Bonus. The variety belongs to the category of medium late, appreciated for the large (3–3.5 cm in diameter) size and taste of the berries. Sprawling bush, up to 1.5 m high, shoots are slightly raised. The average yield is 5–6 kg. Fruits ripen in the second decade of August.
• Brigitta or Brigitta Blue. The bush is compact, up to 1.3 m high. The berries are large, the pulp is dense, but very sweet. Stores well. It is grown not only by amateur gardeners, but also on an industrial scale. Productivity - 6-10 kg per bush. Fruiting is massive, annual.
• Chandler. The variety is quite demanding in its care, but it pays off with its high yield, large size and excellent taste of the berries. The bush is up to 1.5 m high, spreading, differs in growth rate. Productivity up to 12 kg, annual fruiting. It stretches from early August to mid September.
• Duke. The bush is tall (1.8–2 m), spreading, begins to bear fruit in the third year after planting. The berries are large (up to 3 cm in diameter), the pulp is juicy, sweet, with a wine flavor.The average yield is 6-9 kg, the fruits ripen in the first decade of August. Frost resistance up to -38–40 ° С. One of the most common commercial varieties.
• Elizabeth. One of the latest achievements of Canadian breeders. Plant height - 1.5-1.8 m, reddish shoots. The berries are sweet and sour, large (2.2–2.5 cm in diameter). Frost resistance up to -32–35ºС. The crop can be harvested not only manually, but also mechanically.
• Early Blue. Low shrub. There are few shoots, so the pruning procedure is greatly simplified. The berries ripen en masse in early July. Average yield is 7–8 kg.
• Elliott. The berries are medium-sized (1.2–1.7 cm in diameter), but with a very dense skin, which leads to transportability, the possibility of long-term storage and mechanized harvesting. Blueberries are very sweet with a delicate aroma. The average yield is 7–8 kg per bush.
• Nelson. A bush with a thickened crown, 1.3–1.5 m high. The harvest begins to ripen in the first decade of August, fruiting lasts 3–3.5 weeks. The berries are slightly flattened, rather small, but very juicy and sweet. Even perfectly ripe fruits do not fall off the bush. Frost resistance - at the level of -30 ° C.
• Top Hat. A hybrid bred with the participation of common blueberries and blueberries. It is almost impossible to distinguish them by their smell. The height of the bush is 35-40 cm, it can be grown even at home. Fruits are large, weighing up to 4 g. Productivity - 5-6 kg per bush. The berries ripen in early August. The plant rarely suffers from diseases and pests. Frost resistance is very high - up to -45 ° C.
• Chippeva. A bush with a very dense crown 0.8–1 m high. Frost resistance up to -30 ° C. Fruits up to 2.5 cm in diameter, juicy and sweet. The variety is early, the harvest ripens in mid-July.
• Blueray. The bush is powerful, 1.3–1.6 m high. The leaves are slightly corrugated at the edges. Fruits weighing up to 2 g, sweet taste with slight sourness. Fruiting is annual, extended for 2-3 weeks. Average yield is 6–8 kg.
• Patriot. Shrub up to 1.5 m high, the crown is not too dense. Differs in growth rate. The berries are slightly flattened, very sweet, with a pronounced aroma. Productivity - about 5-7 kg. The variety is valued for its frost resistance and high immunity.
• Spartan. Shrub up to 2 m high with powerful erect shoots. The harvest ripens at the end of July. You can count on 5-8 kg per bush. The fruits are not too large (1.6–1.8 cm in diameter), but very aromatic, with dense pulp. The taste is pleasant and sour. The plant is not affected by moniliosis, the berries are not "mummified" in the heat.
• Northland. The bush is powerful, but low, up to 1 m. It is widely used in landscape design. The variety belongs to the category of medium early, the berries ripen at the end of July. Fruiting annually, 6–8 kg per bush. The berries are small enough but sweet. The growing season is short, so this variety can be grown even in the northern regions.
• Liberty. A late ripening variety, one of the latest achievements of breeders from the United States. The bush is up to 1.5 m high and about the same diameter. The average weight of a berry is 1.5–1.8 g. The variety is valued for its high content of antioxidants, keeping quality, transportability, suitability for mechanized harvesting. Frost resistance - up to -37ºС, the bush rarely suffers from return frosts in spring.

Photo gallery: common varieties of garden blueberries

The Bluecrop garden blueberry was bred in the late 40s of the last century, but the variety is still considered a reference. North Country garden blueberry successfully takes root and bears fruit not only on acidic, but also on neutral soils Herbert garden blueberry is distinguished by the size of a shrub more reminiscent of a small Garden tree Chanticleer blueberry is one of the earliest varieties, it blooms as soon as the spring frost ends Bluegold garden blueberry is prized for its hardiness and large berry size Bonus garden blueberry is one of the few mid-late varieties bred by breeders Brigitta garden blueberry is popular with those whowho grows berries on an industrial scale Chandler garden blueberries are quite demanding in care compared to other varieties Duke garden blueberries are distinguished by their early maturity and plant dimensions Elizabeth garden blueberries are one of the latest achievements of Canadian breeders, it turned out to be very successful Early Blue garden blueberries do not differ in crown thickening, shrub trimming is greatly facilitated Elliott garden blueberries are berries with very dense skin, which leads to good transportability, long shelf life and the possibility of mechanized harvesting Nelson garden blueberries are small, but very sweet and juicy berries Top Hat garden blueberries - a hybrid of blueberries and forest blueberries Garden blueberry Chippeva stands out for its very dense crown Garden h Blueray birch can be distinguished by slightly corrugated leaf edges Patriot garden blueberries rarely suffer from diseases and pests Spartan garden blueberries are a very powerful sprawling bush Northland garden blueberries are planted not only for fruiting, but also to decorate the garden plot Liberty garden blueberries were bred by breeders from the USA relatively recently, while no shortcomings in the hybrid have been identified

Russian breeders also have their own achievements. Moreover, these are blueberries, not blueberries:

• Cheerful. The variety is valued for its high yield. The height of the shrub is up to 40 cm. Fruits are small, weighing 0.3–0.5 g. The pulp is juicy, very sweet. The plant is a good honey plant.
• A keen eye. Sprawling shrub 30–35 cm high. It blooms in early April. The fruits are pleasant to the taste, sweet and sour. The average weight of a berry is 0.5 g.
• Forest pearl. The bush is almost spherical, 20-30 cm high. The crop ripens in late July or early August. You will have to pick the berries several times, this is due to the fact that the flowers do not open at the same time. The pulp is juicy, the taste is sweet, with a slight sourness.

Photo gallery: blueberry varieties bred in Russia

In addition to the usual blueberries, there is the so-called blueberry forte, aka sunberry. This annual plant has absolutely nothing to do with "traditional" blueberries. It was bred by Canadian breeders based on several varieties of creeping nightshade. Sunberry differs from ordinary and garden blueberries in a higher yield and large size of black glossy berries. Plant height - up to 1.5 m, in appearance it resembles giant tomato bushes.

Sunberry, aka "sun berry" or "blueberry forte" has absolutely nothing to do with forest and garden blueberries

Planting procedure and preparation for it

In nature, blueberries grow under the “canopy” of taller trees, so they prefer light partial shade. Its natural habitat is coniferous forests and bog shores, so the soil must be acidic. It is also desirable for the groundwater to come close enough to the surface, by 1–1.5 m. But modern varieties and hybrids successfully take root and bear fruit in open areas.

Planting time depends on the climate in the region. If it is mild, subtropical, the best time for this is late summer or autumn. There is still quite a lot of time left before the onset of cold weather, the seedlings will have time to adapt to new living conditions. In temperate climates, it is almost impossible to predict when winter will come. Therefore, garden blueberries are planted in late spring, when the threat of recurrent frosts is minimized.

Two- or three-year-old seedlings of garden blueberries with a closed root system take root best.

When planting several bushes, leave at least 1.5 m between them. Between the rows of plantings - 2.5-3 m. In no case should blueberries be planted under fruit trees or in the immediate vicinity of other crops for which natural organic matter is used.

The optimum depth of the planting pit is about 60 cm, the diameter is the same or slightly larger. At the bottom, a drainage layer of pebbles, expanded clay, brick chips, clay shards about 10 cm thick is required. Pits are always prepared in advance - 3-4 weeks before the planned planting, or even in the fall.

At the bottom of the planting pit for garden blueberries, a drainage layer is required

Garden blueberries prefer acidic soil (pH 3.8–5.0), so the soil extracted from the pit is mixed with peat in a 2: 1 ratio and 2-3 g of sulfur powder is added. A natural alternative to the latter is pine needles or powdered bark. Peat can be replaced with soil dug up in the forest where real blueberries or lingonberries grow. In no case humus or rotted compost is introduced. An additional 30–40 g of complex nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (Azofoska, Nitrofoska) is added to the poor soil.

Sulfur powder acidifies the soil, bringing the acid-base balance to such indicators that suit garden strawberries

Planting garden blueberries in the ground in comparison with other berry bushes has almost no specific features. The only caveat is that the soil in the hole and the plant after planting are watered not with ordinary, but slightly acidified water, diluting 3-4 g of citric acid, 40 ml of electrolyte for batteries, or 100 ml of apple cider vinegar in 10 liters of water.

The plant is transferred to the pit along with a lump of earth, the roots of garden blueberries dry out quickly, even with short contact with air. To make it easier to remove the plant from the container, it must be watered abundantly about half an hour before planting. The trunk circle is mulched with peat, dead leaves or rotted sawdust. When planting plants older than three years, all available shoots are shortened by cutting them to 25–30 cm. After planting, the bush should appear as if on a low ridge. The root collar is not buried in the process.

There is nothing difficult in planting garden blueberries in the ground, even a novice gardener can cope with this

Adult blueberry bushes tolerate transplantation easily, the stress from a properly performed procedure is minimal. They need to be removed from the soil, trying as little as possible to damage the clod of earth on the roots, transfer to a new place, water and trim abundantly, leaving "hemp" from the shoots no more than 30 cm high. Often this procedure is carried out in order to rejuvenate the plant.

Experienced gardeners recommend throwing a handful of dry hydrogel into the planting hole before planting blueberries. It "binds" fertilizers, preventing them from being washed out of the soil, prevents the development of pathogenic fungi and retains moisture at the plant roots for a long time.

Video: how to plant blueberries correctly

Important nuances of crop care

If the correct growing conditions are provided for garden blueberries, caring for them is relatively easy. It boils down to regular watering, fertilization and proper pruning. Of course, the trunk circle must be maintained in proper condition, clearing it of weeds and plant debris and periodically loosening it to a shallow depth (up to 3 cm). The plant is frost-resistant, so it does not need special preparation for winter. This applies not only to garden blueberries cultivated in a warm subtropical climate, but also to those grown in the Urals, in Siberia.

Much more than winter cold, garden blueberries are afraid of recurrent spring frosts. Flowers can be severely affected by them. Therefore, if the crop is grown in regions where the weather is unpredictable, you need to be prepared for its whims. Young plants, if their dimensions permit, are covered with several layers of any covering material that allows air to pass through, fires are made next to adults.Another remedy used by experienced gardeners is to pour blueberries with Epin diluted in cold water (10 liter ampoule). The effect of this treatment lasts 3-4 days.

Watering

Watering garden blueberries should be regular, and the soil under the bushes should be slightly damp, but waterlogged soil is also harmful to the plant. If it is extremely hot outside and there is no rain, watering is carried out every 4–5 days. Otherwise, once every 2–2.5 weeks is enough. At the same time, ordinary water is alternated with acidified water.

Watering garden blueberries, alternating with ordinary water with acidified

Mulch will help keep moisture in the soil for a long time. It also saves the gardener time on weeding. But its layer should be thick enough, not less than 3 cm.

If blueberries are grown in an open, sunny area, the plant should be sprayed daily in extreme heat. It is even better to carry out the procedure twice a day - early in the morning and in the evening after sunset.

Fertilization

Garden blueberries are fed exclusively with mineral fertilizers. When using complex funds, you must first study the composition - this culture categorically does not tolerate chlorine.

Every 2-3 years, the soil under the bushes is refreshed by adding peat mixed with rotted sawdust, pine needles, dried and crushed potato peelings. If the soil is "heavy", river sand is also added.

Pine needles are one of the natural soil acidifiers

Top dressing is applied to the soil in spring, in the process of loosening the soil. The norm for an adult bush is no more than 12-15 g of complex nitrogen-potassium phosphorus fertilizer. You can also use simple or double superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, potassium magnesium. At the same time, sulfur powder is distributed in the near-trunk circle (40-50 g each year). It helps to neutralize the effect of nitrogen fertilizers, which alkalize the soil.

During the growing season, blueberries can be sprayed or watered with a solution of a complex preparation several times. From specialized means, Aciplex, Piafoxan blue are recommended (they are suitable not only for Heather, but also for marsh, coniferous plants). Of the complex fertilizers for berry bushes, Solution, Fertik Universal, Kemiru-Lux are used.

Kemira-Lux is one of the most popular universal fertilizers for berry bushes and fruit trees.

Pruning

The first time the plant is pruned immediately after planting. Then you need to wait 2-3 years. After this time, remove all weak, deformed shoots, leaving 7-10 of the most powerful, developed and healthy branches.

Pruning of garden blueberries is carried out in early spring, but always at a positive temperature.

In the future, every year, all shoots over four years old are shortened by about 20 cm. Also, thin side shoots will need to be removed every fall. Very few berries ripen on them, they are small and often deformed.

Most garden blueberry varieties have a thickened crown, so the plant needs regular pruning.

A radical rejuvenating pruning of a garden blueberry bush is needed every 12-15 years. All shoots are shortened to a length of 18–20 cm. This has a positive effect on productivity, the fruits ripen larger and sweeter.

In general, the garden blueberry tolerates pruning quite well, even if the gardener "overdoes" a little. Therefore, it is often grown as an ornamental plant; bushes can be given a wide variety of bizarre configurations.

Video: recommendations for the care of garden blueberries

Reproduction methods

Most often, amateur gardeners propagate garden blueberries by cuttings. Nobody forbids trying to germinate seeds, but this procedure is quite lengthy and does not guarantee success. In addition, the varietal characteristics of the "parent" plant are rarely preserved in full. Most often, professional breeders engaged in the development of new varieties resort to this method.

Cuttings

This is the easiest and fastest way to get a new blueberry bush. From absolutely healthy plants, the tops of green non-lignified shoots 15-17 cm long with 2-3 growth buds are cut off. The lower cut is made at an angle of approximately 45 ° C, the upper cut is straight, approximately 1–2 cm above the last kidney. All leaves are cut off from the lower third, the rest are cut off by about a third.

Cutting is the easiest and most reliable way to get a new blueberry bush.

Cuttings are rooted in a mixture of peat with any "baking powder" (sand, perlite, vermiculite, coconut fiber), planting them at an angle. To make the process go faster, sprinkle the base with any powdery root stimulant. The substrate is necessarily well moistened, the containers are covered with cut-off plastic bottles. In order for the cuttings to take root quickly, you need warmth, a day of light lasting at least 10 hours and constant watering.

Planting material gives roots quickly enough. Cuttings cut at the end of July can be planted in a permanent place as early as mid-October. If the climate in the region does not allow this, cuttings are dropped into a box of sand for the winter and kept at a temperature of about 0 ° C or slightly higher.

Blueberry seed

In order to get seeds, several ripe large blueberries are kneaded and the resulting gruel is poured with water. Then it is filtered. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times until the water becomes completely transparent. It is very important to completely clear the seeds from the pulp so as not to provoke the development of rot.

Garden blueberry seeds before planting must be thoroughly cleaned of pulp

Blueberry seeds are slightly dried and immediately sown in shallow containers filled with moist peat or a mixture of peat chips and sand. The containers are covered with glass or plastic wrap, the substrate is constantly kept in a slightly damp state. Keep them in a dark, warm place.

The first shoots appear in 2.5–3 weeks. Immediately after this, the shelter is removed, the container with the seedlings is transferred to the brightest place in the room. It is advisable to lower the temperature of the content to 15 ° C so that the plants do not stretch too much. In the spring, seedlings dive, seating them in individual containers. They can be planted in a permanent place in another year. A harvest from seed-grown blueberries will take at least 5-6 years.

The harvest of garden blueberries grown from seeds will have to wait at least five years

You can plant seeds in the spring. In this case, during the winter, they are kept in the refrigerator in a container with damp sand.

Video: germinating blueberry seeds

Common diseases, pests and control

Blueberries rarely suffer from diseases and pests, by nature they have good immunity. The same can be said about the absolute majority of varieties and hybrids bred by breeding. Nevertheless, exceptions do happen.

Of the pests for garden blueberries, the most dangerous are:

• Aphid. Small insects of black-brown or light lettuce color stick to the tops of the shoots, the underside of young leaves, buds and fruit ovaries. They feed on the sap of the plant, the damaged parts gradually dry out and die off. Aphids are effectively scared away by any pungent-smelling infusions. For prevention, it is enough to spray blueberries with infusions of any herbs with a characteristic odor, onion or garlic arrows, mustard powder, hot pepper, orange peel, and so on every 5-7 days. The same remedy will help to cope with the pest if the problem is noticed on time. The frequency of treatments is increased up to 3-4 times a day. If this does not help, general-purpose insecticides are used (Inta-Vir, Mospilan, Konfidor-Maxi, Admiral, Iskra-Bio).
• Shield. Pests are similar to grayish-brown rounded growths dotting leaves and shoots. They are almost flat at first, but gradually swell. The tissues surrounding them take on an unnatural yellowish or reddish tint.For prevention, the plant is sprayed with Karate before the leaves bloom. Visible scale insects are collected from the bush by hand, after having lubricated their shells with machine oil, kerosene, turpentine. Then the bush is treated with Phosbecid, Aktara, Aktellik.

Photo gallery: what pests dangerous for the culture look like

In the development of fungal diseases, the gardener himself is often to blame, watering blueberries too abundantly, being overly addicted to fertilizers (especially nitrogen-containing ones). Cool, damp weather also contributes to their spread.

Most often, the culture is affected by the following diseases:

• Miscophereliosis. Almost black spots appear on the leaves, shimmering red. Blueberries look like they are splattered with mud.
• Rust of leaves. The wrong side of the sheet plate is tightened with a "fleecy" bloom of a bright yellow-orange color, irregular bulges appear on the front side. Gradually, the plaque darkens and "thickens", the affected leaves dry and die off.
• Gray mold. It affects ripening berries, covered with a layer of grayish or whitish "fluffy" bloom. It gradually darkens, the fruits turn black and mummified, fall off.

Photo gallery: symptoms of garden diseases typical of blueberries

Copper-containing preparations - fungicides are effective against any fungal diseases. You can use both time-tested means (Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate) and modern ones (Topsin-M, Fundazol, Strobi, Abiga-Peak, Horus). Usually, if the disease is noticed on time, 2-3 treatments with an interval of 7-10 days are enough.

For prevention, blueberries are powdered with crushed chalk, sifted wood ash, and colloidal sulfur. Also, the bush can be sprayed with diluted water in a 1: 1 ratio with kefir or serum or iodine solution (10 drops per 10 liters of water). The frequency of processing is once every 1.5–2 weeks.

In addition to fungal diseases, there are also viral diseases such as necrosis, dwarfism, mosaic of leaves, "curl", "witch's broom". At the moment, there are no effective drugs against them, so special attention should be paid to prevention - proper care of plants and the fight against pests that spread the virus.

Blueberries hydroponically and at home

The dimensions of the bush make it possible to grow blueberries not only in garden plots, but also at home.

Blueberries are planted both as seedlings and seeds. Moreover, the latter can be easily obtained even from frozen berries. Germinate them in the same way as for planting in the open field. The procedure for planting seedlings also has no specific features. For growing at home, choose the smallest hybrids - Top Hat, Sunshine Blue and others. But you can choose other varieties, artificially limiting the height of the plant to 80–90 cm. Some amateur flower growers even grow blueberries like bonsai.

Bilberries bear fruit in "captivity" about three years after planting. The harvest ripens in mid-summer, fruiting lasts until early September. Since there are no pollinating insects at home, it is recommended to plant 2-3 bushes of different varieties for cross-pollination.

Garden blueberries are successfully grown at home, the dimensions of the plant allow it

For the summer, containers with plants can be transferred to the balcony, protecting them from direct sunlight. The optimum temperature for the culture is 18–23 ° C. The duration of daylight hours is at least 6 hours. If there is not enough natural light, fluorescent or special phytolamps are used. Blueberries are watered every 3-4 days, the soil is mulched with coniferous needles, sawdust or bark crushed into powder. In early spring and late autumn, it is advisable to feed the bushes with specialized fertilizer for Heathers. If it was not possible to find it, preparations used for indoor plants, which also prefer acidic soil, for example, for azaleas, are suitable.

Another quite affordable method is hydroponic cultivation of blueberries. It is only necessary to create a sufficiently acidic nutrient mixture with a pH of 4.5–5.5. Other important conditions for abundant fruiting are temperatures of 22-24 ° C, daylight hours of at least 10 hours (ideally 12-16 hours), air humidity 65-75%. Expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite or specialized professional mixtures are used as a substrate.

Watering the bushes is carried out by the drip method, and nutrients are also supplied. Necessarily increased content of sulfur in the nutrient mixture. An interesting solution is planting garlic next to blueberries. It has the property of accumulating sulfur, then releases it in such a form in which a trace element can be absorbed by blueberries.

If you plant blueberries not all at once, but at intervals of 2-3 months, you can harvest all year round. Plants need regular pruning even more than those grown in the garden. About a third of the green mass is removed annually.

Gardeners reviews

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Garden blueberries, if you fulfill all the "requirements" of the plant for the quality of the soil, is not too demanding in care. Growing it is no more difficult than the gooseberries or currants familiar to Russian gardeners. It is enough to pay a little attention to the bushes, and the plant will "thank" the gardener with an abundant harvest of remarkably tasty and extremely healthy berries.

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