Culture of Blueberry
Blueberry are deciduous shrubs ranging in height from 1’ for lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) to 6’ for highbush blueberries (V. corymbosum) to over 30’ for rabbiteye blueberries (V. ashei).
The flowers look like dainty white bells and appear in spring on shoots that grew the previous season.
Blueberries are hard in Zones 3-9, depending on species and cultivar.
Blueberries require full sun and well drained, moisture retentive, acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 – 5.0.
Of the 3 species highbush blueberries are the most finicky about soil.
Blueberries generally grow well in soil enriched with acidic organic material, such as peat moss, composted pine needles or oak leaves or compost made from pine, oak or hemlock bark.
Fertilize with acidic fertilizers, such as cottonseed meal or soybean meal. Blueberries enjoy a thick, organic mulch.
Most blueberries are not wholly self-pollinating. Plant at least 2 different cultivars near each other for adequate cross-pollination.
Prune plants each winter, beginning when bushes are about 4 years old. On highbush and rabbiteye plants, remove drooping or very old braches and thin out branches where growth is too dense.
Cut lowbush plants to the ground every third year for a harvest every 2 out of 3 years.
Culture of Blueberry
