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Soil Types And Gardens - The Roles They Play

Pruning is an important operation in blueberry culture. It must be done in winter or early spring, before growth starts. The first two years after planting, the bushes will need little pruning other than removing weak branches. Bearing bushes, however, should he pruned to produce large berries. To prune correctly, the gardener should know the bearing habits of the plant. During the summer, blueberries form fruit buds - large plump buds at the end of the shoots. These remain dormant throughout the winter, then bloom and produce fruit the next summer. The pruning of different varieties varies with the characteristic growth of the plant. Some varieties sprout freely from the base; others tend to grow to one stem. Where the plants sprout from the base, some of the older canes must be removed.

Rules for Pruning

The rules for pruning are quite simple: Remove or cut back a few of the older stems, since these tend to produce weak shoots with small berries. Remove all branches that are so near the ground that the fruit might become soiled. Thin out the top, removing the short weak shoots. Cut back shoots with too many fruit buds.

In growing blueberries yellowing of the leaves is not uncommon. This results from a lack of iron and develops when the soil is too alkaline. To remedy the situation, add a fertilizer such as sulphate of ammonia, which will leave an acid residue. This should be used with care on young bushes; an overdose may be harmful. Acid organic mulches such as peatmoss will also help.

Insects which may attack a blueberry planting include blueberry fruit fly or blueberry maggot, cranberry fruit worm, blueberry stem borer, red-striped fire-worm, white grubs. gypsy moth caterpillars, red-humped caterpillars and the cranberry spittle insect. All of these can be controlled easily.

Among the diseases, mummy berry and blueberry stunt disease are the most serious. Mummy berry is caused by a fungus which rots and mummifies partly ripe fruit. Spraying is not effective in controlling this disease; to keep it in check, rake the mummified berries from the ground and destroy them. Blueberry stunt is a virus disease; infected bushes should be pulled up and burned. The modern varieties in cultivation today are a far cry from the original species, producing larger and sweeter berries.

Article Source: GardenGap.com

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