Content
Bluecrop blueberries are one of the popular varieties, characterized by tall growth and a stable harvest. The culture can adapt to places with different climatic conditions, and also tolerates changes in soil acidity.
History of selection
The variety was bred in 1915-1917 in New Jersey by American breeders Frederick Coville and Elizabeth White from the Highbush blueberry. In the middle of the last century, the culture was brought to the territory of the USSR, thanks to which it is still popular in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Breeders consider Bluecorp blueberries to be the standard for other varieties.
Description of the berry crop
The description of the blueberry variety Bluecrop should begin with the fact that the plant is planted not only for the purpose of harvesting, but also as an ornamental shrub. Changing the color of foliage in accordance with different seasons looks very impressive in gardens and plots.
General idea of the variety
The height of the Bluecrop blueberry is about 1.6-1.9 m, and the width of the crown is about 1.7-2 m. The leaves have a jagged edge, an oblong, slightly elongated shape and a characteristic bright green color.
The shoots are erect, spreading and strong. The Bluecrop blueberry root system is fibrous, devoid of villi and located at a distance of 35-40 cm from the surface of the earth.
The flowers are white with a greenish tint, no more than 1-1.5 cm in length. In their shape they resemble barrels or bells.
Bluecrop blueberries grow only in cold regions, so planting the crop in the south is pointless. The plant requires acidic peaty soils, which are available only in the northern regions.
Berries
The fruits are deep blue, quite large, about 2 cm in diameter, and have a pronounced bloom. The weight of each berry varies between 1.8-2.5 g. Bluecrop blueberries taste sweet and sour.
The fruits grow in dense clusters, which ripen within 20-25 days after flowering. For clarity, below is a photo of Bluecrop blueberries.
Characteristic
Characteristics of Bluecrop blueberries have their own characteristics that distinguish them from other varieties. For example, the shrub is highly frost-resistant, which allows plants to be grown in regions with cold climates. This variety is most often cultivated in the United States as an industrial crop.
Main advantages
Frost resistance of Bluecrop blueberries is one of the main advantages of the variety. The shrub can tolerate temperatures down to -30-32° C. The advantages of Bluecrop over other varieties include:
- relative resistance to drought;
- immunity to most diseases;
- regular and abundant fruiting;
- good keeping quality and transportability of berries.
In addition, the plant is easy to care for and does not require special preparation before the onset of cold weather. It is only important to follow the watering regime, regularly weed and mulch the planting site, and also prune the shoots.
There are a lot of blueberry varieties, they are often compared with each other. For example, Bluecrop and Northland blueberries have several differences. Bluecrop ripens later, but you can collect 2-3 kg more berries from one bush than from Northland blueberries. In addition, Bluecrop is resistant to a wider range of diseases.
Flowering period and ripening time
Bluecrop blueberries are most often cross-pollinated. Therefore, to obtain a harvest, it is necessary to plant other varieties with the same flowering periods next to the shrub.
The plant begins to bloom in May, and at the end of July the first berries appear. In this case, the ripening of blueberry fruits occurs unevenly.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
Tall blueberries Bluecrop demonstrate high yields. From one adult bush you can collect about 8-10 kg of berries. The crop begins to bear fruit from late July to early August. Harvest dates may vary depending on the climate and characteristics of the region.
Area of application of berries
The blueberry variety Bluecrop is widely used for making jams, preserves and other winter preparations from tasty and ripe berries.The fruits can also be eaten fresh.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The description of Bluecrop garden blueberries also includes resistance to various diseases and pests. This crop has average resistance to most viruses and pathogens.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Numerous reviews of Bluecrop blueberries indicate the following advantages of this variety:
- high yield rates;
- cold resistance;
- good taste of fruits;
- immunity to a wide range of diseases;
- easy care;
- large berries;
- good transportability.
The disadvantages include:
- long ripening of berries;
- excessive branching of shoots;
- overload of bushes with berries.
But, despite these shortcomings, Bluecrop is the standard for other blueberry varieties.
Blueberry propagation
Garden blueberry Bluecrop can reproduce in three main ways:
- by seeds - the most labor-intensive method, in which the grown seedling begins to bear fruit only in the 5-6th year of life, but does not inherit varietal characteristics;
- layering - the best option for propagating blueberries, which involves bending the shoots to the ground and sprinkling them with soil for rooting;
- cuttings - they are harvested in the fall, after which they are stored in a cool place all winter, placed in the ground in the spring and covered with film material until the end of August.
Landing rules
Planting Bluecrop blueberries is easy. It is only important to choose the optimal place and day of planting, as well as carry out all the necessary measures to prepare the substrate.
Recommended timing
The best time to plant Bluecrop blueberries is in the spring. But in the southern regions where there are no early frosts, planting can be done in the fall.
Choosing a suitable location
The planting site should be located in a sunny place, where there will be no other large trees nearby that would block sunlight and air circulation. Groundwater should lie at a distance of up to 55-60 cm from the surface of the earth. It is best if pollinators for Bluecrop blueberries are planted nearby.
Soil preparation
In order to plant Bluecrop blueberries, you need to prepare the substrate. Soil composition is one of the most important conditions for successful cultivation of crops. The soil should be acidic (pH about 3.5-5), consisting of peat, black soil, sand with the addition of sawdust and bark.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Reviews of Bluecrop highbush blueberries often contain information on how to choose seedlings. Planting material should be 2-3 years old, with a closed root system, without any damage to the shoots or signs of disease.
Algorithm and landing scheme
The blueberry planting process includes the following main steps:
- Digging a hole with a depth and diameter of about 55-60 cm.
- Laying a drainage layer (crushed stone or broken brick) at the bottom of the pit.
- Mixing soil with acidic peat, sand and black soil.
- Pour out 1/3 of the entire substrate and install the seedling.
- Straightening the root system, filling the remaining part of the soil.
- Mulching the soil with sawdust or pine needles and abundant watering.
When watering for the first time after planting, you need to dilute 0.1 liters of table vinegar in 10 liters of water.
Subsequent care of the crop
Planting and caring for Bluecrop blueberries is so simple that even novice gardeners can do it. Blueberries are an unpretentious crop, which makes it possible to avoid the consequences of mistakes in caring for them.
Necessary activities
Regular and abundant watering is one of the most important stages in caring for berry crops. But it is important not to overdo it, since blueberries do not tolerate stagnant moisture in the root system area. It is recommended to water 3-4 times a week. The frequency of irrigation depends on the time of year and climate of the region.
In addition, growing Bluecrop blueberries includes feeding the plant. Fertilizers should be selected in such a way as not to disturb the acidity of the soil; it is best to choose preparations containing boron, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilizers are applied twice a year: in April and June.
Loosening and weeding of the soil should be carried out after each watering. Pine needles, peat and sawdust are perfect as mulch.
Shrub pruning
Caring for Bluecrop blueberries also includes regular pruning of the bush. The procedure is carried out in the fall, all branches that are located close to the surface of the earth are removed and only erect shoots are left. The formation of shrubs allows you to achieve the highest possible yield.
Preparing for winter
Planting and caring for high-growing Bluecrop blueberries must necessarily include measures to prepare the bush for winter. In mid-October, the branches should be bent to the surface of the ground, fixed and tightly covered with spruce or pine branches.
Harvesting, processing and storage
The Bluecrop variety of garden blueberries has a long shelf life of the fruit. After picking the berries in August, they can be stored at a temperature of 4-5 ° C for about 14-16 days, and in the freezer for up to several months.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Tall blueberry Bluecrop (Blyukrop) is characterized by average resistance to diseases and pests. The main methods of control and prevention are presented in the tables.
Disease | Prevention methods and treatment |
Stem cancer | Treatment of shoots with fungicides, fertilizing and compliance with the watering regime. |
Gray rot | Removing the affected branches of the bush and cauterizing the cuts. It is important to monitor the application of nitrogenous fertilizers and regularly weed the planting site. |
Powdery mildew | The most effective preparations for treating leaves and shoots are Sulfaride, Topaz and Bayleton. |
Pest | Methods of control and prevention. |
Kidney mite | Nitrafen and copper sulfate are used. |
Black and red aphids | The bush is sprayed with Iskra and Aktara. |
Regular inspection of the plant and timely use of the above control methods will help avoid serious consequences.
Conclusion
Bluecrop blueberries are rightfully considered the standard variety. The crop is characterized by high frost resistance, ease of care, good keeping quality of fruits, and high yield rates.
what varieties of pollinators are suitable for Blokrop?