´óÏó´«Ã½

Grow your ownÌý permalink

Blueberry bush

• Message 1.Ìý

  Posted by Plot74 (U15190250) on Monday, 2nd April 2012

  I have just planted a blueberry and I was wondering if I could add orange peel to the mulch to keep the acid level up.
  Also I have read that they fruit better if you have two different variaties
  Any advice please.

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message1

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012

  I don't think that the orange peel will make much difference- if at all
  
  Blueberries are ideal for growing in large tubs where you control the soil conditions-are yours in the ground and do you have the right sort of soil?
  
  As for the other varieties theory I have not come across this idea before-I get fruit with no problem.

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message2

• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by lovespumpkins (U14259050) on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012

  Never heard of the orange peel technique, but if grown in containers use ericaceous compost and feed container plants every month using a liquid fertilizer formulated for ericaceous plants. If grown in the ground, mulch in spring and autumn with acidic or neutral organic matter, such as composted sawdust, composted or freshly chipped pine bark, pine needle leaf mould or standard leaf mould.
  
  Although many blueberries are self-pollinating, it is best to grow a minimum of three different cultivars to ensure reliable cropping as they fruit much better with two cross-pollinating partners.
  
  Hope this helps....
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message3

• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Plot74 (U15190250) on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012

  Thank you for your advice.
  I have planted it straight into the ground and fed the area around the bush.
  Mulching with wood chi pings and farm yard manure well rotted..
  This is my first year in a garden for over 30 years . The plot I took over at the end of last summer was 3 feet tall with weeds . It took a lot of digging to get out all the dock but things are looking good now just the odd one coming through.
  In time I will get them all.
  Thanks again
  John

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message4

• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by bookertoo (U3655866) on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012

  Hi there, congratulations on getting back into gardening after a long time, you will soon be as addicted as the rest of us.
  
  Regarding your blueberry, it really does need ericaceous soil in which to grow and fruit - you can mulch it with a good layer of ericaceous compost, and then feed it with a suitable fertiliser. Unless your soil is very acid, it really will need that extra care. We have three varieties of blueberry, they fruit more or less in sequence, and presumably aid each other with pollination. Farm yard manure is wonderful stuff, but it will not alter the Ph of your soil to suit your blueberries.
  
  

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message5

• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Plot74 (U15190250) on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012

  Hi there, congratulations on getting back into gardening after a long time, you will soon be as addicted as the rest of us.
  
  Regarding your blueberry, it really does need ericaceous soil in which to grow and fruit - you can mulch it with a good layer of ericaceous compost, and then feed it with a suitable fertiliser. Unless your soil is very acid, it really will need that extra care. We have three varieties of blueberry, they fruit more or less in sequence, and presumably aid each other with pollination. Farm yard manure is wonderful stuff, but it will not alter the Ph of your soil to suit your blueberries.
  
  Ìý If you asked the wife she would say I already spend to much time at the allotment
  Firstly getting rid of all the over grown weeds then putting in paths sorting out seed beds turning the soil and adding manure. As the plot had been left for a while before I took it over Ian not sure of the crops grown previously. I have started a four year plan of rotation and will see what grows best . It is in a good south facing spot with some trees at the back of the plot giving a small shaded area
  I am looking forward to the year ahead . Already made some good friends with neighbouring gardeners all with good advice and of course some free plant on offer come the time to plant .
  John

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message6

• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by JohannaA (U15220024) on Saturday, 7th April 2012

  Ive got three different types of blueberries as advised to do with pollenation (bit like apple trees ), in a container I built myself on a wide concrete path with wooden decking boards filled with erecatious soil. I was advised that the roots should not be allowed to touch ordinary soil or it will considerably if not completely reduce the yield I live in Wiltshire on chalk soil. I feed every now and again with azalea camellia and rhododendron feed and was also advised only to water with rain water. Fantastic yield last year only second year eating my way up and down the garden. Hope this helps mind my spelling Im dyslexic.
  

  Link to this forum: Blueberry bush

  Report message7

Back to top