Content
Bluejay blueberries were developed in 1952 in the USA. The selection involved old tall hybrids and forest forms. The variety has been used in mass production since 1977. Blueberries are just gaining popularity in Russia. The Bluejay variety is not yet included in the State Register of the Russian Federation, which includes verified representatives of different crops.
Description of the blueberry variety Bluejay
According to the description of the Bluejay garden blueberry variety, it forms a powerful bush 1.5 - 2 m high. The shoots of the plant are erect, strong and thick. Young leaves are green, becoming lighter with age. The flowering of the crop occurs in the second ten days of May.
The Bluejay variety tolerates frost well and is little susceptible to fungal diseases. Decorative varietal qualities are assessed at an average level. In summer, the bush is distinguished by abundant greenery, and in autumn the leaves acquire yellow-red shades.
The frost resistance of the hybrid is about -34 ... -28 ° C. This allows the plant to endure winters under light cover.The variety is suitable for cultivation in most regions of Russia, from the middle zone to Siberia.
Features of fruiting
To obtain a high yield, it is recommended to plant at least two varieties of blueberries. Due to cross-pollination, the number of hybrid ovaries increases. For the Bluejay variety, the best pollinators are Bluegold, Patriot, River, Stanley, Northland.
Bluejay blueberries bear fruit in an average time frame. The first fruits ripen in mid-July. In the first wave of fruiting, up to 70% of the harvest is harvested. The remaining berries are harvested over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
The berries of the Bluejay variety are quite dense and ripen in loose clusters. They have a light blue color and a waxy coating. The size of the fruit is 18 - 22 mm, weight - up to 2.2 g. For industrial cultivation, it is convenient to harvest the crop using a mechanized method.
From 3.6 to 6 kg of fruits are harvested from the bush. They are tasty and aromatic, do not crack, and tolerate transportation and long-term storage well.
The berries are used fresh as a dessert, added to yoghurts, muesli, and cocktails. For the winter, blueberries are dried or frozen. Jams, jams, and compotes are prepared from the fruits.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to the variety description and photo, Bluejay blueberries have a number of advantages:
- presentation and transportability of berries;
- good taste;
- high productivity;
- resistance to cold and disease.
Disadvantages of the Bluejay variety:
- demands on soil composition;
- the need for constant care.
Features of reproduction
Bluejay blueberries are propagated by vegetative methods: root suckers, dividing the bush or cuttings. To obtain root shoots, young shoots with rhizomes 5–6 cm long are separated from the bush. When transplanting, the blueberry bush can be divided into parts and new seedlings obtained.
The Bluejay variety is also propagated by cuttings. In late autumn, the most powerful shoots are selected and cut off. Cuttings 10–15 cm long are obtained, which are kept for a month at a temperature of no more than 5 °C. Then they are planted in a substrate of peat and sand in a ratio of 1:3. For two years, the cuttings are watered and fed. Stronger plants are planted in a permanent place.
Planting and care
When growing Bluejay blueberries, planting dates are followed. First, prepare the beds and improve the composition of the soil. When planting, follow the sequence of work.
Recommended timing
Bluejay blueberries are planted in late fall or spring. In the southern regions, work is carried out in October-November. The plant manages to take root on the site before the onset of cold weather. In the middle zone and cool climates, planting is postponed to the middle - end of May, when the soil warms up.
Site selection and soil preparation
Blueberries prefer sunny areas. In the shade, the yield of the bush decreases and the quality of the berries deteriorates. Plants require loose, breathable soil with an acidic pH of 3.5 - 4.5. In heavy clay soil the bushes grow slowly. A pH indicator is used to determine the acidity level.
To prepare the soil for Bluejay blueberries, a hole 0.5 m deep and 1 x 1 m in size is prepared in the selected area. It is filled with acidic peat, bark or rotted pine needles from the nearest forest. Good results are obtained when planting blueberries in a substrate consisting only of rotted sawdust.
Landing algorithm
Procedure for planting Bluejay blueberry variety:
- Dig a hole for the seedlings. Leave 80 cm between plants.When planting blueberries in several rows, maintain 2 m between them.
- If the soil is clayey, broken brick or crushed stone is placed at the bottom. Layer thickness – from 10 to 15 cm.
- The previously prepared substrate is poured into the pit. A small ridge is formed on the surface.
- The bush is planted on the top of the ridge.
- The soil is watered and mulched with peat or sawdust.
Growing and care
During the growing process, Bluejay varieties provide care for blueberries. The plant is watered and fed. They are especially careful when choosing fertilizers. The bush is pruned in early spring and prepared for wintering in the fall.
Watering schedule
After watering, moisture should not stagnate in the soil for a long time. In this case, the plant needs plenty of moisture. Bluejay blueberries are watered every 3 days in the morning or evening. A bucket of water is brought under the bush.
During flowering and fruiting of the Bluejay blueberry variety, the watering regime is especially important. If there is not enough moisture, the quality of the fruit will deteriorate, and the bush will not be able to form flower buds by the next season. During drought, the blueberry bush is sprayed with warm water when there is no direct sunlight.
Feeding schedule
To feed Bluejay blueberries, choose the right fertilizers. If the soil is not acidic enough, the appearance of the plants changes: the leaves turn red, the yield drops, and the taste of the berries is lost. As a result, the bush stops developing, has a depressed appearance and may die.
To acidify the soil under Bluejay blueberries, choose the following fertilizers:
- ammonium sulfate, urea, ammonium nitrate or Nitroammofoska in the amount of 2 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of water;
- oxalic acid: ½ tsp. on a large bucket of water;
- spraying above the ground 1 - 2 tbsp. l. colloidal sulfur;
- citric acid: 3 tbsp. l. for 5 liters of water;
- 100 ml of 9% vinegar per bucket of water;
- Potassium sulfate: 40 g per 10 liters of water;
- 10 ml of battery electrolyte per 10 liters of water;
- florovit or other complex fertilizer for blueberries.
Nitrogen fertilizers are applied at the beginning of sap flow, and subsequently in early May and June. In summer and autumn, add 50 g of superphosphate and 15 g of magnesium sulfate per bush.
Trimming
Bluejay blueberry is described as a tall bush. Pruning helps regulate its growth and productivity. When the bush reaches the age of 4 years, 4 - 5 strong shoots are selected from it. The remaining branches are removed. In adult plants, in early spring, old shoots and root shoots are cut off at the root.
Preparing for winter
In late autumn, the blueberry bush is hilled up, and humus or peat is poured into the tree trunk circle. If winters in the region are cold, the shoots are lowered to the ground and secured with metal staples. Spruce branches are placed on top. A good way to insulate is to install a frame and cover it with non-woven fabric.
Pests and diseases
If agricultural practices are violated, Bluejay blueberries become vulnerable to attack by pests and diseases. In spring, the leaves and flowers of plants are eaten by the larvae of the cockchafer, leaf rollers, silkworms, and aphids. To protect plantings, insecticides Iskra, Karbofos, and Actellik are used.
High humidity causes fungal diseases: gray rot, monoliosis, white spot. The drugs Topaz, Fundazol, and Bordeaux mixture are effective against diseases. Treatments are carried out at intervals of 7 - 10 days. 3 weeks before harvesting the berries, switch to safer folk remedies: infusion of onion peels or wood ash.
Conclusion
Bluejay blueberries are a great option for introducing this crop. The variety will require special conditions: good lighting, acidic soil, compliance with the rules of watering and fertilizing. Bluejay blueberries will reward hardworking gardeners with a good harvest of berries.
Bluejay Blueberry Reviews
