Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Pruning of blueberry plants

Like most bush fruits, blueberries benefit from pruning as they become older. Yearly pruning is an important factor in developing and maintaining high production in blueberry plantation.

Bearing-age highbush plants should be pruned severely enough to encourage production of vigorous new growth year, and only two to four of the healthiest new shoots should be retained and tipped back.

It’s a good idea to thin out plants that seem crowded with branches to open up the interior of the plant. Proper pruning also lets sunshine into the bushes, which aids in ripening the berries.

Late winter is the ideal time for pruning of highbush and rabbiteyes blueberries.

The only pruning for V. corymbosum, V. asheii and V. angustifolium the first three years is removal of dead and diseased stems. During the first year, pruning is to remove flowers in order to divert energy into shoot growth rather than fruits.

Pruning taller cultivars, especially rabbiteyes, is to control their height by cutting back young stems to encourage low branches, which will put the fruiting tips within reach.
Pruning of blueberry plants

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