Vaccinium

Water 2.5cm (1") per week, with rain water if possible. Avoid softened water and hard tap water. 2-4" of organic mulch will help retain moisture. Using wood chips, sawdust, oak leaves or shredded bark will also help maintain soil acidity.

Some gardeners suggest removing the blossoms the first year to get the plants established and strong enough to support the heavy yields in years to come. Sometimes they won’t blossom in the first year anyhow.

Avoid fertilizers that make soil alkaline. Soybean, cottonseed meal ammonium sulfate or any azalea/rhododedron fertilizer is ideal.

Tall types of blueberry bushes need an annual pruning. As stems age, their production decreases. Lop old growth off at ground level when stems are over an inch in diameter. Also, remove crowded areas from the centers of your bushes to keep the plants from self-shading.

SPRING
Fertilize when the leaves have emerged fully. (Northern Hemisphere: April) Usually approximately 50g rhododendron fertilizer for young plants, increasing slightly over the years)

SUMMER
Repeat feeding the plant at the beginning of summer (NH: June) to support second stage of growth in late summer. Cover with bird netting as fruit start to change colour. Pinch out growing tips to encourage a bushy plant.

AUTUMN
Mulch to conserve moisture.

All types of blueberries grow best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade (with a decrease in production). Blueberries shallow root systems make them and poor competitors against trees, other shrubs, and weeds that compete for water and nutrients.

Soil
Blueberries grow best in loose, well drained humus-rich soil with a ph of 4.0-5.0.

Although many blueberries self-pollinate, planting two or more varieties within a type will increase yield.

Plant blueberries in spring after all danger of frost passes.
Standard spacing for Highbush, half-high & rabbiteye is 5-6 feet and 1-3 feet for lowbush varieties.

Tickle the clusters and fully ripe berries easily fall into your hands.

These plants have been known to grow well alongside Vaccinium so consider planting:

• Vaccinium likes Groundnut

  likes similar conditions and fixes nitrogen

These plants will not grow well with Vaccinium so avoid planting these within close proximity:

These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Vaccinium plants:

Relatively disease free with proper pruning.

Birds are the biggest pest to blueberries. A bird net over the bush, or better a bird net draped over a light frame will exclude birds. Rabbits and other small rodents may eat young branches in winter. Insects are generally not a problem.

Blueberry

Misspellings: blueberried, blueberries