Post by maggyd on Mar 9, 2009 13:09:02 GMT 1
I have a blueberry that I planted in the border I also have a rather pathetic specimen in a pot I was wondering about pruning so I looked it up and this is the instructions for care in case anyone else needs the imformation:
Pruning
The largest fruit is borne on the thicker, more vigorous shoots produced the previous spring or early summer. Strong stems that appear in late summer may also bear fruit at the tips. Pruning is carried out in late February/early March when the fruit buds are visible.
Young plants need little pruning in the first three years. Aim to produce an open centred bush, by removing horizontally growing or overly long shoots, weak stems, as well as dead or diseased wood. Prune to an upright shoot or healthy bud where possible.
On mature plants remove older stems lacking in vigour. Remove thin, twiggy stems as well as any damaged or diseased shoots, crossing or horizontal shoots a or stems close to the ground b. Cut back some branches to the base c and others to strong upright shoots. Stems that fruited the previous year should be pruned to a low, strong-growing upward-facing bud or shoot. By the end of pruning an established bush, you should have cut out roughly 15 percent of the old growth.
Pollination and fruiting
Blueberries have two flushes of growth. In spring they bear flowers on the tips of the previous-season’s growth. These flowers become the first crop of berries. New sideshoots develop just below these berries. Later, (usually in July), strong new shoots grow from the base of the plant, and produce flower and fruit buds at their tips. This second, later crop of berries is usually plumper than the first.
Blueberries benefit from cross-pollination by other varieties, which results in better fruit set. Keep plants in a sheltered spot to encourage visits from pollinating insects.
Pick fruit in stages as it ripens, protecting from birds if necessary. Ripe fruit should part easily from the cluster and will be deep mauve with a grey bloom. Each bush can provide 2-5kg (4.5-11lb) of fruit.
Pruning
The largest fruit is borne on the thicker, more vigorous shoots produced the previous spring or early summer. Strong stems that appear in late summer may also bear fruit at the tips. Pruning is carried out in late February/early March when the fruit buds are visible.
Young plants need little pruning in the first three years. Aim to produce an open centred bush, by removing horizontally growing or overly long shoots, weak stems, as well as dead or diseased wood. Prune to an upright shoot or healthy bud where possible.
On mature plants remove older stems lacking in vigour. Remove thin, twiggy stems as well as any damaged or diseased shoots, crossing or horizontal shoots a or stems close to the ground b. Cut back some branches to the base c and others to strong upright shoots. Stems that fruited the previous year should be pruned to a low, strong-growing upward-facing bud or shoot. By the end of pruning an established bush, you should have cut out roughly 15 percent of the old growth.
Pollination and fruiting
Blueberries have two flushes of growth. In spring they bear flowers on the tips of the previous-season’s growth. These flowers become the first crop of berries. New sideshoots develop just below these berries. Later, (usually in July), strong new shoots grow from the base of the plant, and produce flower and fruit buds at their tips. This second, later crop of berries is usually plumper than the first.
Blueberries benefit from cross-pollination by other varieties, which results in better fruit set. Keep plants in a sheltered spot to encourage visits from pollinating insects.
Pick fruit in stages as it ripens, protecting from birds if necessary. Ripe fruit should part easily from the cluster and will be deep mauve with a grey bloom. Each bush can provide 2-5kg (4.5-11lb) of fruit.