Buying blueberries........

[Greenthumb18]

Hi,
i'm trying to order some blueberry bushes so that they'll bloom after i plant them the same season, is this possible? maybe buy a larger size or potted instead of bareroot?

Thanks!!

 

[tinychicken]

I bought blueberries last year and did some research. According to what I read, you should strip the blossoms off the bushes the year you plant them to encourage good root growth. The second year you can let them flower and fruit. I'm looking forward to some berries this year!

 

[vfem]

I read the same. I was given some bareroot plants from a neighbor. The roots were gorgeous... and the branches many. I clipped 1/2-3/4 of the branches and left the rest. If any bloom this year, they may, I will leave them be. I think I planted them early enough to force root growth, they were just coming out of dormancy.

In fact, some were just numbs but the root was nice... some of the flesh of the branch was stripped even. It has already healed itself. I'm pleased to see they are already waking up here.

 

[Greenthumb18]

oh ok, Thanks guys guess i will remove the blossoms then, i was really hoping to have some blueberries this spring/summer, oh well.

 

[vfem]

I did leave some Green! Don't strip them all if you get a dormant bush. Just cut back quite a bit of what is there. It may only produce minimum blossoms and berries.... but it may be more then none, so that's something to look forward to!

 

[Greenthumb18]

I did leave some Green! Don't strip them all if you get a dormant bush. Just cut back quite a bit of what is there. It may only produce minimum blossoms and berries.... but it may be more then none, so that's something to look forward to!

Oh ok, so i can allow a few flowers to bloom and set fruit without hurting the bush. Yeah it will be better than none at all.

Thanks for your help vfem, i appreciate it!!

 

[GardeNerd]

Your better off removing all flowers the first year whether or not it is dormant when you plant it. That way the energy goes in plant development instead of fruit development. You will be happy you did next year when you are picking a new crop.

 

[Greenthumb18]

Your better off removing all flowers the first year whether or not it is dormant when you plant it. That way the energy goes in plant development instead of fruit development. You will be happy you did next year when you are picking a new crop.

Oh ok yeah it would be better to just remove all the blossoms then next year have a nice harvest. Just wondering what size do blueberries bushes have to get before they'll get blueberries, i'm thinking of buying small 9 to 10 inch plants but dont know it will be big enough to produce next year?

 

[GardeNerd]

It depends on the type. They come in Southern Highbush, Northern Highbush, Rabbiteye, and a ton more. Each type has varieties. Each variety grows different heights. My southern highbush Sunshine blue only gets about 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall x 3 feet wide. Misty and O'neals are 4 to 5 feet tall. I don't have experience with the others because they won't grow here. I know some can get really big.

 

[GardeNerd]

Oops. Size before they produce? My sunshine blue produced about a quart the first crop after planting. It was 4" tall when I planted it in January 03 and I took off all the flowers that year. It was at its full height of 3' by April 04. It produces about two quarts a year, but it is not one of the large Northern Highbush ones most folks grow.