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very disappointing blueberry harvest this year - I repotted my 3 bushes into a large trough in early spring and they never seemed happy. I wonder if they need a prune before next year?
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You don't really need to prune blueberries unless there is diseased wood or the bush is getting crowded. They're very easy. Are they in acidic compost and only watered with rainwater, if not that could explain the disappointing harvest etc.
Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.
Which one are you and is it how you want to be? -
Also are they different varieties?
and How old/big? They dont properly fruit until about 4-5.
Dont prune until they are 2-3 and as Alison says only if they really need it. Wait until they are completely dormant.
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In my fruit bible - The Rhs Publication - Fruit - by Harry Baker, ISBN 0 85533 193 3 it says "Regular pruning is not essential. If young plants fail to branch naturally, in spring, cut back the longest stems by about one third. After the third year, bushes that are becoming dense should be thinned, removing the oldest, barest stems to ground level or to where a strong side shoot emerges.
p.s. 11 used copies of above book on Amazon today from £0.01 +£2.80 postage.Last edited by Aberdeenplotter; 15-11-2011, 04:19 PM.Comment
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The only problem is that blueberries can fruit on the previous year's growth...Personally I wouldnt prune unless they are very congested.
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Thanks for the tips. I have two blueberries. A young one that I allowed to fruit this year (I stripped it last year) and an older one that is starting to get congested, so I shall follow your advice and cut the barest ones to the ground. CheersComment
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