Blueberries belong to the Heather family and are a distant relative of blueberries. Eating its berries for food is very beneficial for the body. The fruits of this plant are appreciated, for example, because they slow down the aging process, improve the activity of the nervous system, and contribute to the normalization of digestion processes. Of course, many gardeners would like to see this culture on their site. Therefore, further in the article we will deal with all the details of how to grow blueberries in the country.
What are the varieties
They began to engage in the selection of this useful plant in 1908. To date, a huge number of blueberry varieties have been developed, which can be classified into several large groups:
- undersized;
- high north;
- rabbit eye;
- southern high;
- half tall.
All of these varieties are quite whimsical to care for and require careful adherence to planting technology. A summer resident, who wondered how to grow blueberries on a site, should know that its northern tall varieties are best suited for central Russia. They are valued primarily for a fairly good yield and resistance to low temperatures.
The best northern tall varieties
Most often, in the gardens of the Moscow region and other regions of central Russia, you can see blueberries:
- Blucrop . This medium-term fruiting variety attracts gardeners primarily for its drought tolerance, frost resistance and productivity. In addition, it is characterized by immunity to diseases. It is the Bluecrop blueberry variety that is the reference when creating any other.
- Elizabeth Berries of this variety ripen quite late, but differ in simply wonderful taste. It is blueberries that Elizabeth is usually recommended to summer residents for growing on their sites as a dessert.
- Patriot . This variety is good primarily for its high yield. Blueberry Patriot is tall and can produce up to 9 kg of fruit in one year.
For the Urals and Siberia, such varieties of this culture as Taiga Beauty, Canadian Nectar and Divnaya are excellent. All of these varieties are highly resistant to cold. Not bad for the northern regions of Russia and the Blueberry variety is suitable.
How to choose a place
In the wild, blueberries are known to grow in swampy and rather shady areas. However, garden varieties of this plant do not like the close occurrence of groundwater and the lack of light. The plot for blueberries should be selected rather dry. Groundwater at the place of cultivation of this crop should not come closer to the surface closer than 0.5 meters. This applies to most varieties. On a waterlogged area, the blueberries Patriot, Bluecrop, Divnaya and others will feel unwell and may even die.
In the absence of sufficient lighting, blueberries cease bearing fruit. Therefore, it should be planted away from garden trees, solid fences and even berry bushes.
Where to get seedlings
A young bush of blueberries for summer residence can be purchased in a nursery or grown independently from seeds or cuttings. However, most often seedlings of this cultivated plant are still purchased from farmers. The fact is that it is quite difficult to get blueberry bushes from seeds or cuttings yourself.
How to grow blueberries: planting dates
You can transfer the seedlings of this culture to a permanent place both in autumn and spring. The latter option is considered more preferable. The fact is that the root system of this plant develops rather slowly. And this means that by winter, blueberries may simply not gain enough strength. As a result, the plant is likely to freeze by spring.
What should be the soil
Blueberries are one of the few garden plants that prefer acidic soil (with a pH level of 3.5 to 5). In ordinary loam, this culture does not take root. The best solution would be to prepare for this plant a mixture of the following composition:
- 1 part of high peat;
- 1 part of coniferous-leaf litter;
- a little chopped pine bark.
What you should know about
When wondering how to grow blueberries in the country, one important advice from experienced gardeners should be taken into account. No organic fertilizers can be used when planting blueberries. The same goes for ash. If this rule is neglected, seedlings may simply not take root. Organics use on acidic soils is completely useless. In addition, it, like ash, leaches the soil.
Preparatory Activities
Planting blueberries on the site in pre-dug trenches or pits. So that subsequently the garden alkaline earth does not mix with the acidic substrate prepared specially for this plant, the walls of the latter are often covered with moisture-permeable geotextiles. Of course, in this case, the pits and trenches should have a sufficient width. Sometimes blueberries are even planted in large tubs. The distance between the pits should not be less than 1.5 m.
The bush of blueberries before planting should be kept in water for about 10 minutes. Can be used for soaking and a solution of an agent that stimulates root formation.
Garden blueberry: landing on a site
After the pits for this culture are ready, on the bottom you need to pour the prepared soil mixture with a layer of about 20 cm. The whole earth should be removed from the roots of the seedling. You can just wash it off with a stream of warm water. You can not plant blueberries with an earthen lump, since this plant can not straighten the roots on its own.
Install the seedling in the pit directly and exactly in the middle. Garden blueberry, which should be planted quickly, will be better taken if its roots are neatly spread. Fill the bush carefully, trying not to damage anything. After planting, the root neck should remain on the surface.
The near-stem circle of the plant should immediately be mulched with peat or coniferous-leaf litter. Water the planted blueberries with water diluted in it with citric acid in an amount of 2 h / l per bucket at the rate of 5-7 liters per bush.
Plant Care: Key Activities
The planted blueberries will subsequently have to:
Also, the owners of the cottage will need to constantly monitor the level of soil acidity. In order to prevent a decrease in fruiting or even death of plants due to alkalization, be sure to purchase a kit in a specialized store to check the level of soil acidity.
How to water plants
It is impossible to overdry, as well as greatly overmoisten, blueberries. In the first year after planting, this plant is usually watered once every two to three days (5-7 liters per bush). If the humidification procedure is less frequent, the peat soil will quickly become petrified and the plant will not be able to let new roots into it.
In subsequent years, blueberries can be watered once or twice a week. In this case, you should use slightly acidified (for example, vinegar 9%) standing warm water. Watering should be done from a hose with a spray. Otherwise, the soil beneath the plants may be re-compacted. After each watering, the near-stem circle of blueberries should be loosened.
How to feed
Fertilizer for blueberries should be chosen correctly. They start feeding her from the second year after planting. Fertilize the soil twice a season. Cultures grown on acidic peat soils usually lack macrocells such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur and magnesium. To make up for the deficiency of these substances, it is worth using complex fertilizers. It can be, for example, Kemira station wagon, compounds intended for conifers, double superphosphate, etc.
Ashes for feeding plants during cultivation, as well as during planting, should not be used categorically. Organic fertilizer for blueberries has never been used.
How to determine which macronutrients plants lack
Choosing fertilizers for blueberries should be based on what kind of nutrients are lacking in the soil. The lack of certain macroelements strongly affects primarily the appearance of plants. So, if the leaves began to turn yellow in the blueberry and the formation of new shoots slowed down, it means that it lacks nitrogen. Necrotic spots indicate a lack of potassium. Plants with reddened leaf blades should be fed with a product containing a large amount of magnesium, and with a blueish - boron.