Content
Blueberries are native to North America; the main cluster of shrubs is on mountain slopes, floodplains, and in undergrowth. Wild species formed the basis for breeding varieties that differ in bush size, level of fruiting and frost resistance. Chandler blueberries are one of the first cultivars to appear on the Russian market. The variety was created by European breeders in 1994 and adapted to the climatic conditions of the temperate zone.
Description of the variety
The garden blueberry variety Chandler, as in the photo above, is a late-bearing perennial deciduous plant. Belongs to tall varieties, the height of mature blueberries is 1.5-1.7 m. The shrub is spreading, branched, crown diameter is 1.5 m. Chandler blueberries with a high degree of frost resistance, without damage to the stems and root system, withstand temperatures down to -250 C.
The Chandler variety is cultivated in regions with cold winters and in the south.Blueberries are especially popular among gardeners in Siberia, the Urals and the middle zone, and are often found in gardens in the Moscow region. Chandler blueberries are grown for gastronomic purposes and as a designer option. The shrub remains decorative for the entire spring-autumn period from flowering to the change in leaf color. At the end of September, the bush turns yellow, then bright burgundy; the leaves do not fall until the first snow.
External characteristics of Chandler blueberries:
- The bush is round in shape, spreading, forms numerous fast-growing light green young shoots. The perennial stems are completely woody, gray with a brown tint.
- The Chandler blueberry bush is densely leafy, the leaves are 3.5-4 cm long, they are located opposite. The shape of the plate is obovate with a sharp apex. The surface is smooth, hard, with a pronounced light central vein. The cuttings are thick and short.
- The flowers are pitcher-shaped, small. The buds are pink, and after blooming they are white, drooping. Flowering is abundant.
- Fruit clusters are formed on last year's shoots, density - from 8 to 12 berries, located on the outer part of the bush.
The root system is superficial, underdeveloped, the roots are thin and fibrous. They cannot provide food for blueberries on their own. The planting microelements of the Chandler variety necessary for the growing season are obtained from interaction with the mycelium of the fungus, the so-called mycorrhiza; the symbiosis provides nutrition for the mushrooms and shrubs.
Features of fruiting
The high yield of the Chandler variety is ensured by late flowering, which occurs in June; frosts at this time are rare even in the Northern regions.The berries ripen unevenly; harvesting continues from August to September. If you do not have time to harvest part of the harvest before the first frost, the blueberries do not fall off and completely retain their taste and shape.
Chandler blueberries form their first single flowers in the 3rd year of growth; they are removed from the bush. The productivity of young blueberries is insignificant; a certain amount of nutrients is required for fruit ripening, which will slow down the growing season. Blueberries produce a full harvest in the 5th year of growth; 5-7 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. The yield of the variety is stable every season, the plant is dioecious with cross-pollination.
Chandler refers to large-fruited blueberries:
- berries weighing – 2-2.5 g, diameter – 3 mm;
- round shape, slightly compressed on both sides;
- The fruits acquire a dark blue color at the stage of technical ripeness, the color does not change until full ripening;
- the surface is smooth with a thin bluish film of waxy coating; on the upper part there is a receptacle with jagged edges;
- The pulp is dense, light purple with small brown seeds.
The taste is sweet and sour, the composition is dominated by sugar. Blueberries of this variety are juicy and have a delicate aroma. The fruits are consumed fresh, made into wine, processed into jam, and frozen. Shelf life is within 3 days. The peel is thin and poorly resistant to mechanical damage, so transportation is difficult. Chandler is one of the few blueberry varieties that is not grown commercially. The fruits are picked by hand; the berries are not picked dry.
Advantages and disadvantages
Referring to reviews from gardeners about the variety, Chandler blueberries cannot be characterized unambiguously.The culture has its advantages over other varieties, but it also has disadvantages.
Advantages of Chandler blueberries:
- stable long-term fruiting;
- high productivity;
- frost resistance, suitable for northern climates;
- weight, taste and juiciness of the berry;
- the fruits do not fall off or bake in the sun;
- self-fertile variety;
- agricultural technology is simple.
The disadvantages of the Chandler blueberry variety include poor drought tolerance. With a lack of moisture, the growing season slows down, the yield and taste of the fruits decrease. The berries are sour, small, loose. A short shelf life and difficult transportation are not welcome in mass cultivation. Blueberries of this variety are poorly resistant to infection and pests.
Features of reproduction
Chandler blueberries are propagated only vegetatively:
- By layering. Before the buds swell, the lower branch is dug in drops and watered constantly throughout the season. Next spring, cut out areas with rooted buds and plant them.
- Dividing the bush. Blueberries that are 4 years old are suitable for this method. Work is carried out before flowering.
- Cuttings. The material is taken from the middle part of last year's shoots in mid-June. Place it in the ground at an angle, water it, and cover it for the winter. In the spring, young shoots will appear on viable seedlings; strong material is selected and planted in the designated area.
Chandler blueberries take root well; any chosen method of propagation will give a positive result.
Planting and care
Before planting, a self-grown blueberry seedling is disinfected with a manganese solution (the root is left in for 4 hours) or with an antifungal drug, and act according to the instructions. Then they are placed in Kornevin, a growth stimulator, for 3 hours.No preparatory measures are needed for the purchased material; the seedling is processed before sale. The main requirement for blueberries from the nursery:
- seedling not younger than 2 years old;
- without fungal and mechanical damage;
- with closed root.
Recommended timing
Blueberries of the Chandler variety take root quickly, and the frost resistance of adult shrubs and seedlings is at the same level. Blueberries are planted in spring and autumn. The timing is based on the weather conditions of the region. In spring, planting is possible after the soil has warmed up to +80 C. For the central part of Russia - in May, in the south - in March-April. In autumn, planting is carried out 40 days before frost.
Site selection and soil preparation
The fruiting rate and growth rate of Chandler blueberries is entirely dependent on sunlight. The variety does not tolerate even partial shading. The place should be open, with satisfactory air circulation, the plant is not afraid of drafts.
Soils need to be light, aerated, well-moistened, and always acidic. You can plant blueberries in lowlands or wetlands. Over-wetting of the roots is normal for the variety; drying out leads to the death of the mushrooms, and subsequently the blueberries themselves. Before planting, the area is dug up. And to increase the acid level, colloidal sulfur is added.
Landing algorithm
Pre-prepare nutritious soil, mix peat with sawdust and a turf layer of soil. A hole with a diameter of 55*55 cm and a depth of 60 cm is dug the day before planting and completely filled with water. The acquired seedling has fungal spores embedded in its root system. If the material is grown independently, the mycelium is pre-harvested; it can be purchased at a nursery or specialized retail outlet.
Planting blueberries:
- The bottom of the planting hole is covered with ½ part of the nutrient substrate.
- Mushroom spores are sprinkled on top.
- Blueberries are placed vertically, the root system should completely cover the area with the mycelium.
- Fill with the rest of the mixture and compact.
- The recess is filled to the edge with soil, the root collar is left on the surface.
- Fill with plenty of water and mulch with peat and sawdust or pine needles.
For mass planting, the distance between bushes is 1.5 m.
Growing and care
Agricultural technology for Chandler blueberries consists of frequent watering, fertilizing, and pruning. It is also important to maintain the required soil acidity.
Watering schedule
The daily norm of moisture consumption for blueberries up to 3 years of growth is 5 liters, an adult bush needs 8 liters. This norm is used to determine the amount and frequency of watering. The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening. In hot months with low air humidity, in order to prevent the bush from overheating, blueberries need sprinkling in the morning. The main task in care is that the tree trunk circle should not be dry.
Feeding schedule
Fertilize the Chandler variety the next year after planting. In the spring, nitrogen-based products are applied; at the time of fruit set, a mixture of superphosphate (115 g), potassium sulfate (40 g) and ammonium sulfate (95 g) is prepared. The norm for 3-year-old seedlings is 2 tbsp. l., for an adult bush - 5 tbsp. l.
A prerequisite for normal growth and fruiting of blueberries is maintaining the required soil acidity. In a neutral environment, the mushrooms will die, the plant will not receive the necessary nutrition, the growing season will stop, and the leaves will turn white or light pink instead of green. To prevent the death of the plant, the soil must be acidified in any possible way. Products are designed for 2 m2:
- colloidal sulfur – 2 drops. /2 l;
- oxalic or citric acid – 10 g/20 l;
- electrolyte – 60 ml/20 l;
- apple essence – 100 g/20 l.
When growing blueberries, organic fertilizers are not applied.
Trimming
A bush of the Chandler variety is formed in the 3rd year of growth, the stems are shortened by 1/3 in early spring. Continue pruning until the bush begins to fully bear fruit. Then in the fall they thin out the middle and cut off old, twisted branches. In spring, sanitary cleaning of dry areas and frost-damaged stems is necessary.
Preparing for winter
To form fruit buds in the spring, in the fall, moisture-recharging watering is carried out for plants from 4 years of growth. The branches are collected into a bundle and secured with a rope; this measure is necessary so that they do not break under the weight of the snow. Increase the layer of mulch, use pine needles or wood chips. The seedlings are hilled up, mulched, and arches with covering material are installed. The structure is covered with dry leaves or pine branches.
Pests and diseases
A common blueberry disease that affects young shoots and leaves is the spread of the Phomopsis fungus. Infected areas of the stem dry out, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. Topsin is used to fight infection. For preventative purposes, blueberries are treated in the spring with a solution of copper sulfate and potassium hydroxide. The Chandler variety is parasitized by the beetle and leaf roller, and pests are eliminated with Inta-Virom and Iskra.
Conclusion
Chandler blueberries are a high-yielding garden variety with large berries. A plant with high frost resistance, adapted to the weather conditions of the north and temperate climate zone. Fruits with high gastronomic characteristics, universal in use.The crop is grown for berries and as an element of landscape design.
