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Growing blueberries from seeds is quite a labor-intensive task. However, if it is not possible to purchase seedlings for planting, then this option will be the most optimal. During the growing process, you will have to spend a lot of time on planting material until the seedlings are completely strong. It is for this reason that it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the rules for growing blueberry seeds at home and further care.
Is it possible to grow blueberries from seeds?
Growing blueberries from seeds at home is possible, however, you may encounter a number of significant problems. Since the crop belongs to the Heather family, it is recommended to take into account the fact that blueberries grow mainly in wetlands.
As a result of the fact that the root system is completely hairless, blueberries exhibit a high level of sensitivity to fluctuations in soil moisture.Mycorrhizal fungi can be considered as neighbors, with which carbohydrates are exchanged. All this helps blueberries receive the mineral elements necessary for growth and development and begin to absorb water much better.
There are many types of blueberries you can choose for planting. Existing varieties differ from each other not only in terms of fruiting and taste, but also in height, which can vary from 1.5 to 2 m.
What do blueberry seeds look like?
Planting material is small brown seeds. Depending on which blueberry variety was chosen, the shape of the seeds may vary. They can be oval or round. Planting material is extracted from ripe fruits, and it is recommended to choose the largest berries. Ripe blueberries are kneaded in a small container to a pulp, after which the seeds are thoroughly washed and allowed to dry. After the seeds are prepared, they can be planted immediately or sent for further storage in a paper bag. Collected blueberry seeds can be stored for 10 years.
What varieties of blueberries can be grown from seeds?
To grow blueberries from seeds at home, you can use a large number of varieties. If we consider the most popular varieties, we can distinguish 7 options.
Canadian nectar is a tall variety; harvesting can begin in early August; fruiting lasts until the second half of September.
Blue scattering is a variety of marsh blueberry, distinguished by very large fruits and a sweet and sour taste.
A forest treasure - a distinctive feature of blueberries is their long fruiting period.
Bluecrop - a crop of this variety is capable of growing up to 2 m in height, has a high level of resistance to many types of diseases characteristic of it, and is able to withstand low temperature conditions, making cultivation possible in all regions of Russia.
Early Blue - the process of ripening of the first fruits begins in early June.
Patriot - blueberries have a high yield, excellent taste, can withstand low temperatures, and the berries ripen in the second half of July.
Elizabeth is a variety with a late fruiting period; ripe fruits have excellent taste, which attracts many gardeners.
All of the listed varieties can be sown with seeds obtained from ripe blueberry fruits.
How to plant blueberries with seeds
Before planting blueberry seeds, it is recommended to find out in advance what time it should be done. It is also worth taking into account agrotechnical standards, preparing the soil, containers, planting material, and only then starting work.
Recommended timing
It is recommended to sow blueberry seeds, if they are fresh, at the end of summer. If the planting material is stratified, then it is best to plant it in the spring. Sometimes blueberry seeds are planted directly outside. In this case, work is carried out immediately after the snow has melted and the soil is completely ready for the development of new plants. The planting depth is about 1-1.5 cm.
Selection of containers and soil preparation
Before you start growing blueberries at home, you will need to properly prepare the soil.If the soil on the selected plot of land is close to swampy, then the horizontal roots of the crop will quickly take over all the available space. Many experienced gardeners recommend using a mixture of sand and peat for sowing.
To mulch the soil you can use:
- rotted sawdust;
- humus;
- pine needles
For growing crops at home, disposable or peat cups are perfect. In the process of growing on a plot of land, you will need to prepare holes, at the bottom of which there must be wood chips; if necessary, you can add a small amount of humus. If there is a close occurrence of groundwater, then a drainage layer must be provided.
Seed preparation
Before you start growing blueberries from seeds, it is recommended to first verify their germination or pre-germinate them, which will speed up the growing process in the future. To do this, you need to take a clean cloth, wet it with water, and carefully wrap the blueberry seeds. Leave until the planting material begins to germinate. This method allows you to germinate seeds very quickly. This is especially true if the recommended disembarkation dates have been missed.
In the spring, when planting time is appropriate, blueberry seeds are placed on the surface of the soil. Often they are not even covered with sand. The first shoots can be seen after 30 days.Some gardeners use special rooting agents, on the basis of which they prepare solutions and place seeds in them for a certain period of time to improve germination.
Landing algorithm
Blueberry seeds must be planted in pre-prepared containers filled with nutritious soil. The planting material is carefully laid out on the surface of the soil in a container, leaving a small distance between the seeds, and then covered with a small amount of sand. At first, watering should be moderate but frequent. It is recommended to ensure that the seeds do not float during irrigation.
How to grow blueberries from seeds
Containers with seeds should be in a warm place with good lighting, and they will need to be covered with glass. After a few weeks you can see the first shoots.
Creating an optimal microclimate
After you have managed to germinate blueberry seeds, you should take care of ideal development conditions. For mulching you will need:
- sawdust;
- bark;
- dry leaves;
- sour peat
It is important to understand that for normal growth of the crop, the acidity level must be about 3.7-4.8. To achieve the required indicator, you can use acetic or citric acid.
In addition, for planting seedlings, a sunny area, protected from strong gusts of wind, must be chosen. If you plant blueberry seeds in partial shade, you should not count on a good harvest and high taste in the future.
Experienced gardeners say that it is best to plant several varieties of blueberries on a plot of land at once.This is primarily due to the fact that you can not only get a good harvest, but also immediately provide the crop with excellent pollination.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
When growing blueberries from seeds at home, you should not only choose the right planting location and prepare the seeds, but also apply fertilizers during the growth process and provide a high-quality irrigation system. Not only the growth rate of blueberries, but also the taste of ripe fruits and the level of productivity will directly depend on this.
Regardless of where exactly the seeds were planted - in a greenhouse or in open ground, watering must be regular and plentiful. In order to retain moisture in the soil for as long as possible, it is recommended to mulch the soil. Peat or sawdust are perfect for these purposes. The mulch layer should be about 5 cm.
It is recommended to apply mineral fertilizers as top dressing. For these purposes, you will need to purchase Kemira Universal fertilizer and dissolve 1 tbsp. l. drug in 10 liters of water. For 1 sq. m you need to spend about 1 liter of prepared fertilizer. After the procedure, if the solution gets on the foliage, it must be immediately washed off with clean water.
When can you replant blueberries grown from seeds?
As soon as the first shoots appear from the planted seeds of the crop, it is recommended to immediately remove the glass with which the plantings were covered. As a rule, this happens 2-4 weeks after sowing the planting material. Transplantation is done after 3 to 4 true leaves appear on the seedlings.For growing, seedlings are, if possible, placed in a greenhouse, where they continue to care for them - watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, removing weeds, and preventing the occurrence of diseases. Transplantation to a permanent place of growth is carried out after the seedlings are 2 years old.
Conclusion
Growing blueberries from seeds is quite possible; a large number of varieties can be used for these purposes. However, do not forget that you may encounter a number of problems, as a result of which it is recommended to first familiarize yourself with agrotechnical standards and available care nuances. You can grow seedlings at home or plant them directly in open ground after preliminary germination.
