Common Blueberry Planting and Growing Mistakes to Avoid

Introduction

Blueberries are easy to grow if you understand and follow the requirements needed for blueberry plant growth. This article reviews the general requirements and most common mistakes involved in blueberry planting and growing.

General

    * To thrive the roots of the blueberry plant must not be too shallow or too deep.

    * Having the correct pH of the soil is critical for blueberry plants to grow and flourish. Blueberries need a soil that is acidic having a pH between 4.5and 5.0. A pH of higher than 5.0 is too high! If you cannot adjust the soil to this pH level grow your blueberries in containers.

    * The soil needs to be firmly packed in the region of the plant roots when planted.

    * Do not plant close to plants of unknown origin or wild plants.

    * Sufficient moisture levels must be maintained during plant establishment. Water the plants well 1 to 3 times a week but not every day.

    * Put off fertilizing until the plants are established. Avoid fertilizer burn.

    * You are advised not to cut the roots of the plant when you plant them. When taken from a pot in which they are grown do separate the roots before planting to help them spread out.

    * Any mulch used must allow water to easily penetrate and reach the soil. For this reason do not use excessive sawdust or compacted leaves as mulch that can limit rain from reaching the soil and plant roots. About 4 inches of mulch will help control weeds and retain moisture.

    * Do not use excessive sulfur as it can be toxic.

    * Fertilizer should not be applied in late summer or early fall. This could lead to new tender growth that is vulnerable to injury in the winter and could lead to entry points for disease.

    * Do not use fertilizer that contains potassium chloride. Blueberries can be harmfully affected by potassium chloride.

    * Do not fertilize at planting.

    * Control weeds but do not cultivate deeply as blueberry roots are very shallow.

    * Purchase only blueberry plants that have been grown without pesticides.

Blueberry Trouble Shooting

If the blueberry plants have yellow leaves this can usually be quickly corrected with a foliar application of 1-table-spoon chelated iron in a gallon of water sprayed over the leaves. You should see greener leaves in a few days. However, the real reason may be that the soil pH is probably too high. Chelated iron, is a soluble complex of iron, sodium and a clelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA).

Applying fertilizer

Your blueberry bush should grow about 12-18" inches of new growth each year. If not, re-check the pH of the soil and/or use a little more fertilizer if needed. We, of course, always recommend using organic fertilizers. Cottonseed meal is an organic fertilizer (6-3-2) that is one possibility. Also use aerated compost tea to provide needed beneficial microorganisms to the soil.

A slow-release fertilizer is best. Using slow release fertilizer will help to keep from burning your plants. A slow release 14-12-14 5 to 6 month fertilizer for growing blueberry plants in the field works well. A slow release 20-4-11 8 to 9 month fertilizer works well for growing plants in a container. It's important that you never over fertilize blueberries. Another fertilizer that works well is a sulfur coated urea slow release fertilizer such as 12-4-1 or an azalea/ camellia formulated fertilizer. Follow the label directions or use about 1 oz of 12-4-1 per plant per year of age. Apply fertilizer two times a year, when spring growth begins and again after harvest. Do not to exceed 6 ounces in the spring or 5 ounces on post harvest applications.

Summary

Blueberries are easy to grow if you have soil of the right pH, do not over fertilize, control weeds and apply about 4 inches of good mulch that is easily penetrated by rain water.

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