I Have Acquired A Blueberry Plant With No "How To " Instructions! Would Appreciate Any Guidance On This Please! Happy Easter To One And All.
Acidic soil is the first major essential. Whether you want moist acidic conditions or drier acid depends on the species / cultivar. Do you know which blueberry you have? More info here: http://www.dorset-blueberry.com/cultivation/index.htm
Hi there Mike, The label on the variety says "Top Hat"! I have seen compost for sale that has the legend " Ericaceous", is that any good Mike? (I think I spelled that right)! What size container should I use, as the soil where I live in London England is quite alkaline due to the type of lime mortar they used when building these houses, (Circa 1879) and a lot of the lime got mixed up in the soil. It's not that bad as the roses seem to tolerate it O.K, but, other acid loving plants have keeled over in the past that I have planted. Looking at the above, I am asking a lot of questions Mike! Best regards, Ken.
Hi Kenneth, If there are any parks (or neighbours) that have needle bearing conifers you might ask if you can have a bucket full of needles to mix in with the soil. As I understand, the decomposition of the needles will produce an acidic environment.
Hi Anne, Thanks for the info, there is a conifer wood not too far from where I live, so, that will be my next job! One other point please Anne, do these Blueberry plants like full sun, shade or half sun etc, etc? Meny thanks for your prompt reply. I would have replied earlier, but I was at our favourite Garden Centre. Warmest Regards, Ken.
I have blueberry plants and they like sun but not too much. So I would plant your bushes in a spot where they are slightly shaded. As well if you have pine trees or cedars in your yard your soil is probably acidic. Baby your bushes (water fairly regularly) for the first year and pluck any flowers off that first year as well. You do this because you want the plant to concentrate on its roots, not the fruit.
My bushes are growing in partial shade and although they do well, they definitely lean towards the sunny part of the yard. The local blueberry growers seem to do fine with their bushes growing out in full sun. Anne
