Care & Pruning of Southern Blueberry Bushes
Two blueberry bush varieties--rabbiteye and Southern highbush--perform well in the Southern United States climate. Southern highbush plants bear their fruit early in the season and rabbiteyes later. Planting both provides a long season of blueberries. Does this Spark an idea?
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Soil Preparation
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Both varieties need a soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5. Lower pH between 5.5 and 6.0 with aluminum sulfate or a wettable, 90 percent sulfur solution. Apply the sulfur three months before planting, say Clemson University Extension horticulturists Bob Polemski and Greg Reichard. Peat moss, rotted softwood sawdust or composted pine bark mixed into the soil raises its organic content to the 3 percent blueberries love.
Planting
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Plant bare-root bushes in February or March and container plants in November or December. Water deeply. Remove any flower buds. Put down a 2- to 3-inch pine bark or pine sawdust mulch.
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Fertilizer and Mulch
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Fertilize blueberries only in the recommended amounts. Wait until they have received 4 inches of water between applications. Replace 1 inch of mulch annually.
Pruning
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Prune rabbiteyes of damaged growth and lower twigs during the first five years. Beginning in the sixth year, remove the biggest, oldest canes, leaving seven healthy ones. Annual winter pruning is best for Southern bushes. Remove all buds and damaged growth in the first two years, leaving a few buds in the third. On older plants, prune weak, central or low, spreading branches and the most vigorous one-year shoots.
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References
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- Photo Credit Blueberry image by Stana from Fotolia.com
