Content
Highbush or garden blueberries have gained popularity among gardeners more than currants. Its large berries are rich in valuable substances and are widely used in alternative medicine. Planting and growing this deciduous shrub on your site is not at all difficult, but it has its own characteristics.
Benefits of Growing Highbush Blueberries
The highbush blueberry bush reaches 2 m in height. Its erect shoots tolerate low temperatures well, bloom and bear fruit profusely.Blueberries are large - up to 25 g. The yield of tall varieties is stable and reaches 10 kg per bush.
The berry tolerates transportation well and is in demand on the market. It is used to prepare preserves, compotes, jams and dried fruits. In any form, the valuable qualities of the berries are preserved.
Advantages of highbush blueberries
Highbush blueberries are excellent honey plants, attract beneficial insects to the garden and serve as a pollinator for other plants. Planting it does not require swampy soil; it grows and develops well on any loose and fertile soil. The shrub develops well in open sunny areas, practically does not get sick and is not affected by pests.
Tall blueberries are grown mainly on an industrial scale, since the unpretentious shrubs do not require special care or expense.
Another advantage is its tendency to shoot. There is no need to spend money on new seedlings, because propagating shrubs yourself is very simple. In just a few years, the plantation will be replenished with young plants.
However, we must remember that in the middle zone and in the north of Russia it is necessary to grow early cultivated varieties. It is these plants that will be able to produce a bountiful harvest in difficult climatic conditions. In the south of the country there is no such problem.
Features of fruiting
Almost all varieties of highbush blueberries bear fruit on last year's shoots, which is why it is so important to preserve them in winter. If the branches are frozen, then they are cut off quite a bit. The bush recovers quickly. However, if there is a severe defeat, you will have to forget about the harvest.
The young shrub begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year of cultivation, however, the maximum harvest is harvested in the 5th-6th year.
Many hybrid varieties are self-pollinating. They do not need insects, the formation of fruits does not depend on weather conditions. However, in order to increase the number of fruits, experienced gardeners practice joint planting of crops of different varieties with the same flowering period.
How to propagate highbush blueberries
Highbush blueberry reproduces in different ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- basal shoots;
- dividing the bush.
However, seed propagation is difficult; seedlings are grown for 2 years in greenhouse conditions, after which they are transferred to the garden. This plant begins to bear fruit 7-8 years after planting.
The simplest and most accessible ways to propagate blueberries are cuttings and planting root shoots. The seedling will begin to bear fruit in the 4th year of cultivation.
The best varieties of highbush blueberries
For regions with difficult climates, highbush blueberry varieties are presented, which are distinguished by the most delicious harvest. These are early varieties that any gardener can grow.
Bluecrop
The highbush blueberry variety Bluecrop, with a 50-year history, has already established itself among gardeners only on the positive side. The shrub is absolutely unpretentious. It is not afraid of frost (it winters well at temperatures down to -30°C), hot sun, diseases and pests. With proper care, ripe berries do not fall off the branches, do not crack, and do not lose their taste during transportation.
Patriot
Tall blueberries of the Patriot variety are valued for the delicate taste of the berries, which is especially noticeable immediately after harvesting. The fruits stay on the branches for a long time and do not spoil.
The shrub is frost-resistant, well resistant to major diseases: late blight of fruits and leaves, blossom end rot of fruits. Fruiting of the variety begins in the second half of summer.
Elizabeth
The Elizabeth highbush blueberry variety is popular for its large berries, which can reach 2.5 cm. The fruits are red-blue, elastic, tasty, transport well, but are completely unsuitable for long-term storage. In the middle zone, sometimes they do not have time to ripen on the branches.
The shrub reproduces well by cuttings, but does not grow well in sandy soil. The variety is completely self-fertile, the yield is 5-6 kg per bush. To get more berries, you need to plant other blueberry varieties.
North Blue
Nord Blue blueberries are very frost-resistant. The variety cannot be called particularly tall. Its height reaches 1-1.5 m. The description states that the shrub winters well at -40°C, but gardeners continue to additionally cover the root zone if frosts drop below -30°C.
The harvest of the variety is stable, but not very large. The bush produces an average of 3 kg of berries.
Bonus
Bonus is one of the large-fruited varieties of tall blueberries. Its berries reach 3 cm in diameter. The fruits are sweet to taste, with a thick skin, which makes them easy to transport. The berries are perfectly preserved when frozen and do not lose their quality.
A variety with high resistance to frost and disease, bears fruit consistently. Productivity – up to 8 kg.
Goldtraube 71
Goldtraube blueberries are tall varieties with increased winter hardiness. Its shoots tolerate temperatures down to -35°C.This is the main advantage of blueberries.
The variety is self-pollinating and bears fruit consistently. Up to 3 kg of fruits are collected from a bush per season. The berries are medium in size, sweet and sour, more suitable for processing.
Bluejay
Bluejay blueberries ripen very early compared to other tall varieties. The first berries can be tasted already in mid-June. Fruiting is not extended, up to 70% of the crop is harvested at a time. The variety is interesting for industrial cultivation. The berries are easy to pick mechanically; they do not spoil or crack.
Productivity per bush is up to 6 kg, winter hardiness is average, disease resistance is good.
Putte
The variety bears fruit with small berries, the diameter of which does not exceed 1.5 cm. However, they are very aromatic and tasty. In addition, there are quite a lot of berries on one plant. The average yield per bush is up to 6 kg.
Brigid
Brigitte blueberries bear medium-sized berries with a sweet and sour taste. But the crop does not crumble or crack, and is well transported. No more than 4 kg of fruits are collected from a bush per season. Frost resistance is low, the bush suffers from spring return frosts.
Boniface
The variety Boniface belongs to the frost-resistant varieties. The shoots and root system of the shrub tolerate temperatures of -37°C well. In this case, the flower buds are practically not affected. The plant bears fruit consistently, the berries are sweet, but only 3 kg are harvested per season.
Erliblue
This variety bears small berries, but there are a lot of them on one plant. A bush for industrial cultivation, since manual assembly is difficult. The berry is sweet, transports well and stays on the branches.
Elliot
The variety bears fruit abundantly; up to 8 kg of berries can be collected from a bush. The fruits are sweet and sour, aromatic. The taste greatly depends on weather conditions. The blueberry skin is dense and does not crack, but the berries fall off the branches when ripe.
Thoreau
Blueberries are tall, with high yields. With normal care, the number of berries reaches 10 kg per bush. Fruiting increases with plant age. The fruits are tasty, aromatic, with dense pulp, and tolerate long-distance transportation well.
Chandler
A variety with average frost resistance. The lower temperature threshold is -24… -28°С. The fruits are large, but there is sourness in the taste. The skin is thin, the berries are not suitable for transportation. They are consumed fresh or immediately processed. Fruiting is extended, which allows you to harvest as it ripens.
Blue Ray
Blueberries of this variety tolerate frosts down to -34°C, and bear fruit well. Blueray berries are large, tasty, and there are a lot of them on one plant. They don't keep up at the same time. Productivity is above average. However, blueberries are most often consumed fresh; they are not suitable for transportation.
North Country
The bush is of medium vigor and bears small berries. The yield is only 1.5-3 kg per plant. A variety for industrial cultivation, since it is difficult to pick small berries by hand. The taste of blueberries is excellent.
Planting and caring for tall blueberries
Growing blueberries is not a hassle. It is enough to plant the shrub correctly to enjoy delicious berries every year.
Recommended timing
You can plant tall blueberries in early spring or autumn. The second option is suitable for regions with mild climates.But in central Russia, experienced gardeners recommend not delaying planting blueberries until autumn. It is carried out in the spring, while the buds have not yet blossomed. Over the course of the season, the bush will strengthen well, grow and successfully withstand winter frosts.
Choosing a location and preparing the soil for highbush blueberries
Highbush blueberries are grown in well-lit areas. In the shade, the berries become small and do not have time to ripen. Fruiting of the bush decreases, in some cases it stops completely.
The southern side of the site is allocated for planting, well protected from drafts and cold winds.
The shrub is unpretentious to soils, but does not tolerate proximity to other crops. It is better to keep the soil fallow for several years before planting.
Before planting, the area is dug up and mineral fertilizers are added. To make the soil looser, sawdust is added.
How to properly plant tall blueberries in spring or fall
Planting in spring is not much different from autumn. You need to choose the right seedling. It is better to purchase seedlings with a closed root system. They are settling in well.
This shrub cannot be planted by transshipment. Before planting, blueberry seedlings are soaked in water to completely free them from the earthen clod and straighten the roots. The plant will not be able to develop its roots in the ground on its own. The root system is very fragile.
The size of the planting hole is standard - 60 x 60 cm. At the same time, the depth of the hole reaches half a meter. If it is planned to plant several plants, then leave up to 1.5 m between them. At least 3.5 m should be spaced between the rows.
The bottom of the pit is filled with a nutrient substrate mixed with sawdust, pine needles and sulfur. During planting, the root collar is buried 3 cm.The roots are straightened, the remaining voids are filled with soil.
Rules for growing highbush blueberries
Highbush blueberries do not require special care, but some nuances need to be taken into account when growing. The shrub is demanding of soil moisture, so watering is an important part of its care.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Watering highbush blueberries should be plentiful and the soil should always remain moist. However, within 2 days all moisture should be absorbed. Otherwise, a fungus will develop on the roots, which will cause rot. It is considered correct to water blueberries 2 times a week. You need to be especially attentive to soil moisture during the fruiting period. If there is not enough moisture, the flower buds will not have time to prepare for next year.
During periods of extreme heat, the bushes are not only watered, but also sprayed. This will help prevent the plant from overheating.
There is no need to feed blueberries. However, you can apply mineral fertilizers, especially if the soil is not nutritious enough. In spring, feed with nitrogen complexes - up to 90 g per plant. In this case, the norm is divided by 2 times. The first time they fertilize is in early May, then in the first ten days of June.
After this, until autumn, potassium fertilizers are applied at the rate of 100 g per bush. They are also divided into several times.
Loosening and mulching the soil
You need to loosen the soil around the bush a couple of times a season. Frequent loosening dries out the soil, which is unacceptable for blueberries. The root system will lack moisture.
It is important to remember that blueberry roots are located superficially, so careless loosening can injure them.The instrument is not buried more than 8 cm.
To ensure oxygen access to the roots, but to avoid frequent loosening, you need to mulch the soil surface with sawdust or other organic mulch. The layer needs to be updated several times a season. This will create the growing conditions necessary for highbush blueberries and reduce the number of waterings.
Trimming Features
Pruning for blueberries is very important. The shrub quickly ages and becomes overgrown with shoots, so you need to remove unnecessary shoots in a timely manner. In the spring, after the buds swell, cut out all disease-affected branches that are broken and thicken the bush. Last year's shoots are pruned just a little to stimulate growth. The bulk of the crop will develop on them. In summer, cut out all root shoots. In the fall, bushes older than 5 years are rejuvenated. To do this, leave 3-5 young shoots, and cut out the rest completely.
How to prepare highbush blueberries for winter
Many varieties of highbush blueberries overwinter well in open ground and do not require additional shelter. But young or recently planted plants need to be protected from upcoming frosts. To do this, they are well spudded and covered with spruce branches or a layer of dry foliage, and the soil is first mulched to a height of 12-15 cm.
Pests and diseases of highbush blueberries
If you properly care for blueberries, the bushes will grow strong and healthy and resist major diseases well. But preventive treatments in early spring and after harvest will not hurt. They will prevent the appearance of:
- leaf spots;
- botrytis;
- fruit moniliosis;
- late blight;
- root rot.
It is difficult to fight diseases, so it is better to spray the bushes with Bordeaux mixture. Treatments are repeated at intervals of 2-3 weeks.If they are not carried out, the blueberries may die.
Among the pests that plague blueberries are:
- Khrushchi;
- chafers;
- caterpillars;
- aphid;
- scale insect.
Blueberries are also damaged by birds. To prevent the proliferation of pests, blueberries are treated with insecticides. Actellik has proven itself especially well.
Conclusion
Highbush blueberries are a healthy berry that you can grow yourself. It is enough to choose the right variety and comply with all agricultural technology conditions.
