Raspberry and Blueberry help

**chris** · 21-08-2011, 08:03 PM

The raspberry will probably have 4 or 5 canes in the pot, separate them out and plant according to the instructions (can't remember how far apart.. 2' odd? I think mine are 18 inches apart and a bit too crowded).

I mixed in compost for my rasps.

Blueberries, I grow in pots in ericaceous (acidic) compost. You can plant them in the ground too, if you dig in some ericaceous compost, and then mulch yearly with more, or things like pine needles - blueberries prefer an acidic soil type.

Normally, you'd plant them in the dormant season (November - Feb/March ish) - they'll then put down root growth for the next seasons leave (and hopefully fruit) development

The ones I've bought recently are just in pots still, waiting until I have some time and space to plant them in.

**tombavar** · 21-09-2011, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by chrismarks View Post

Blueberries, I grow in pots in ericaceous (acidic) compost. You can plant them in the ground too, if you dig in some ericaceous compost, and then mulch yearly with more, or things like pine needles - blueberries prefer an acidic soil type.

I've just potted up two blue berries in acid compost. Pine needles? I have too many pine trees so no problem, but should I mulch with live or dead ones?

Thanks, Tom

**northepaul** · 21-09-2011, 01:00 PM

Tom dead ones, fallen from the tree, its a little treat for blueberries and a good mulch.
Soph - regarding the blueberry plant, do you know what variety it is? Some will require a pollination partner to produce fruit. Also what size? If its very small it may take several years to produce fruit.
You can successfully plant them in a pot, acidic soil (as mentioned above). Water with rainwater only and feed with rhododandron feed or similar (I use seaweed, they love that).
Good luck!!

**tombavar** · 22-09-2011, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by northepaul View Post

Tom dead ones, fallen from the tree, its a little treat for blueberries and a good mulch.

Thanks for that.

Some will require a pollination partner to produce fruit.

The label on my pair, which appear to come from Spain, says "Vaccinium Corymbosum". Should I buy a third plant of a different variety to ensure pollination?

Water with rainwater only.

All my water comes from a 70-meter-deep hole in the ground. Is that an OK alternative to rain water?

Thanks, Tom

**Garden_Chris** · 22-09-2011, 10:50 AM

I can only add to what's already been said:

I purchased a Blueberry plant earlier this year, I've put it in a large container full with ericaceous compost and it's fruited well, producing enough for "blueberry blondies", a particular type of dessert (or so I'm told). I was a little hesitant about putting mine into the ground because I'm wanting to take mine with me when I move house in the future.

I would say, on an ornamental note, mine is starting to turn a lovely fiery-red colour. I visited a local nursery and their blueberries have fantastical colours. So not only does it produce fruit, it looks spectacular year round!

**chris** · 22-09-2011, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by tombavar View Post

Thanks for that.

The label on my pair, which appear to come from Spain, says "Vaccinium Corymbosum". Should I buy a third plant of a different variety to ensure pollination?

All my water comes from a 70-meter-deep hole in the ground. Is that an OK alternative to rain water?

Thanks, Tom

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...uide_6408.html - check that thread out

**Potstubsdustbins** · 22-09-2011, 03:42 PM

Tom, if you are talking about a fresh water bore hole then yes it will be perfectly OK. The problem is tap water as part of the cleansing process at the water works lime is added and it is that does the damage.

Colin

**northepaul** · 22-09-2011, 06:12 PM

Exactly what I was going to say ^

**salome2001** · 10-10-2011, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by Garden_Chris View Post

I can only add to what's already been said:

I would say, on an ornamental note, mine is starting to turn a lovely fiery-red colour. I visited a local nursery and their blueberries have fantastical colours. So not only does it produce fruit, it looks spectacular year round!

So is mine, but it started doing it way before Autumn and it didn't have red leaves when i bought it. It seems to be happy and gave me a reasonable crop of blueberries for its size, but this red/ brown leaf thing is bothering me.
I did add purple slate chips as mulch and I'm wondering if they are altering the pH of the soil???

**chris** · 11-10-2011, 06:40 AM

In their first year, they don't do much in the way of fruiting - I'd not worry. My first year I had a single berry if I remember correctly. This, my second year with 3 I've had loads. Mine started to go red after they'd finished cropping and are all a lovely bronze colour now

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Raspberry and Blueberry help

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