How to Transplant and Propagate Blueberries

One or two blueberry bushes will provide you with fresh berries for muffins and pancakes, but you don't need to stop with a mere two plants. Young blueberry bushes are easy to transplant from root divisions and mature plants can be propagated from stem cuttings, greatly increasing the number of bushes in just a few years

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Spade
• Sharp knife/ clippers
• Peat moss
• Sand
• Perlite
• Water soluble fertilizer

1. Look for young shoots growing near the base of the mature plant in early spring. Dig around the shoot, about 4 inches away on all sides. Slide the spade under the plant and pull it free from the existing soil. Transplant the shoot in a new location. Be sure to water thoroughly and keep the soil moist until you see signs of new growth.

2. Clip 4- to 6-inch green stem cuttings from the mature blueberry plants in the spring. Stems that are hard and woody are not desired for this method. Remove lower leaves and dip the stem cutting into a rooting hormone to a depth of 1 inch. Shake gently to remove any excess rooting hormone. Place the cutting in a mixture of one part peat moss and one part sand. Position so the top third is above the soil line. Keep the soil evenly moist, but do not allow it to become soggy. Place in an area with high humidity and plenty of air circulation. Increase humidity by misting daily, if necessary. Roots will form in the next few weeks and your new blueberry plant will be ready to set out by next season.

3. Cut hardwood cutting from high bush blueberries. This should be done while the plant is dormant, usually very early spring before the buds begin to open. Cut side shoots that are no more than 1/4-inch in diameter and about 6 inches long. Slice a small 1/2- to 3/4-inch section of the bark away from the stem on both sides. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in a solution of one part peat moss, one part perlite, and one part sand. Firm the soil around the base of the cutting with your hands. Keep evenly moist. Maintain a temperature of 68 to 70 degrees. Leaves will emerge in in about a month, but root development may take several weeks longer. Apply water soluble fertilizer on a weekly basis once new growth emerges and the plant is established. Transplant to the garden in the spring.