Blueberries grow well in pots and are a great solution if you do not have optimal garden soil.
Blueberry plants will thrive and bear fruit in containers if given full sun.
Wait to plant the bushes in containers until early to midspring in the coldest zones.
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With big pots, putting the containers on rolling casters makes it easier to follow the sun.
Replicate the spacing, depth, and support for all of themplant one blueberry bush per pot.
you could start one plant in a 5-gallon bucket, but it will eventually need repotting.
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Put it into its container, burying it as deep as it was in its nursery pot.
If necessary, top with additional soil, leaving the top inch or so of the container empty.
Immediately water the pot thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air gaps around the plant’s roots.
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The bushes will not need support to grow.
Blueberries in Containers Care
Birds love blueberries just as much as people do.
While the process may be cumbersome, it works.
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Light
Blueberry plants need six to eight hours of sunlight per day.
If you live in an area with hot afternoon sun, be aware that blueberry plants can overheat.
They likely will appreciate some light shade during this part of the day.
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you might buy or create an acidic blueberry-friendly potting mix to ensure your plants will thrive.
An equally effective potting mix uses equal parts garden soil, well-rotted compost, and coarse sand.
Test the mixture’s pH balance and add iron sulfate to increase acidity.
However, they also like sandy, well-draining soil.
They do not like sitting in water, so keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Dont assume that you dont have to water your plants when it rains.
Blueberries do not like overly dry conditions, and that includes dry winds in addition to cold winds.
Consider the chill factor or chill hours when planting blueberries in containers.
Every cultivar has a different chill factor requirement.
Blueberries usually need between 450 and 800 hours, depending on the punch in.
A chill hour is the time the temperature outside stays between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Inadequate chill hours can result in poor fruit development, reduced fruit size, and decreased fruit yield.
Opt for organic fertilizer, like cottonseed meal or a blend for acid-loving plants.
Furthermore, don’t just fertilize and forget.
Test the soil’s pH regularly to ensure it is between 4.0 and 4.8.
Pollination
When choosing blueberry plants, be aware thatthey need other blueberry plants nearby.
Place the pots reasonably close together, about 2 to 3 feet apart.
Choose varieties within the species, however.
you might’t cross-pollinate a variety of rabbiteye with a variety of highbush, for example.
Contact a local farmer or nursery professional to learn which will thrive in your area.
You may also choose a variety based on the desired fruit size.
Blueberries vs. Bilberries
Blueberries and bilberries look nearly identical; they are both edible and related.
Bilberries, sometimes called European blueberries, are smaller than blueberries and dark blue to almost black.
You will rarely find a bilberry bush elsewhere in the woodland wilds of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
A raw bilberry will taste tart and acidic with a hint of sweetness, almost like a sour cherry.
You should expect to be able to harvest a whole crop of potted blueberries between three to five years.
So, opt for the largest pot possible for blueberry plants and plant one plant per pot.
Choose a container at least 18 inches deep with ample drainage holes.
For even better drainage, place pots on top of bricks.
Pruning will stimulate more growth.
Prune the bushes before they begin their new growth phase.
Pruning thins out the old growth, allowing light into the middle of the bush.
This woody shrub is easily propagated by rooting cuttings.
you’re free to grab seeds from existing fruit or buy them for your container garden.
Just confirm you are buying or taking seeds from pollinating varieties.
You will want to start the process in the fall in warm regions and the spring in cool climates.
Mulch your plants with straw or wrap them in burlap.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Insect and fungal problems can sometimes occur on blueberry plants.
If you better treat your plants, use a fungicide orpesticide safe for edible plants.
Blueberry bushes produce non-showy flowers.
That will allow the plant to grow and fruit vigorously.
Do not remove the flowers from the plant after the third year.
It’s always best to plant for cross-pollination for an abundant and juicier harvest.
A cultivar like Rabbiteye’s ‘TifBlu’ needs high chill hours, requiring between 600 to 800 chill hours.
Problem Insects in Blueberry Fruit.
New York State Horticulture Society.
Leaves are Turning Yellow and Drying Out.Plant Village, Pennsylvania State University.
