COMMON NAME:
► Blueberry
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
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GROWER HINTS:
► Just follow our simple steps and in a year or so you can harvest handfuls of super-sweet berries from your own container grown blueberry plant.
1) You will do best growing blueberries in large pots because it is easier to keep your soil in the lower pH ranges that blueberries need.
2) Many blueberries need a pollinator so be sure you plan on more than one.
3) Use the correct soil mix. We have Blueberry soil mix ready for you to plant in.
4) We have some inexpensive pH meters too. For fertilizer, use any of the organic fertilizer mixes. I like Cottonseed Meal. Just a small handful every 3 or 4 weeks will do it. DO NOT USE Weidner’s Good Stuff or MirACID! Only organic fertilizer!
5) Don’t let the container dry out. Ever!
6) If you sacrifice the first years blueberries you will get bigger stronger growth. You won’t need to prune this year, but next year you will start yearly winter pruning.
7) For pruning instructions http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1430.html This is a very good site with line drawings and detailed instructions.
GROWTH HABITS:
► In order to thrive, blueberries require low pH and actively decomposing soil. Most important is the soil and keeping the pH between 4.5 and 6. Seven is neutral and our water and soil are naturally 7.5 or higher. To keep track of your soil pH buy a Rapid Test pH Probe tester.
Use the correct soil mix. Weidners Blueberry mix is very close to the ideal mix. Very heavy with peat moss, then natural redwood sawdust and Perlite (white sponge rock) for drainage. YOU may add a small handful of soil sulfur or cottonseed meal per plant. You may add some pathway bark mix if you like or you may make your own from the Dave Wilson recipe.
Dave Wilson’s Blueberry Soil Mix
One third 1/4″ pathway bark, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 forest by-product based potting soil, (an Azalea mix or Acid Planter mix). Add 1 handful of soil sulphur per plant. To plant, fill the bottom of your container with soil mix and pack down. Place the blueberry and continue to fill around the root with soil mix. Water in well.
SHADE/SUN:
► Blueberries like ½ to full day sun, out of strong winds.
FEEDING AND WATERING:
► IMPORTANT: Watering and Feeding Instructions Don’t let the container dry out. Ever! Always use an Azalea, Rhododendron Camellia Organic fertilizer and feed once a month during the growing season. Blueberries don’t like fertilizers based on Amonium nitrate. It can kill them! Mir-Acid is NOT recommended in this case for blueberries. Weidners Good Stuff Fertilizer is also NOT FOR YOUR BLUEBERRIES!
FLOWER/FOLIAGE COLOR(S):
SEASON(S) CARRIED AT WEIDNERS:
► January through mid summer.
CONTAINER OR GROUND:
► The best way to grow your blueberries is in pots. Growing blueberries in the ground is possible but more difficult. Put your new blueberries in a 2 to 5 gallon container or large pot. Blueberries live a long time and as they grow bigger, you can put them into larger containers. It is best to keep blueberries in pots.
PARTICULAR PESTS:
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