How to Reproduce Blueberry Plants

Blueberries are a healthy treat that are easy to reproduce (propagate). They are hardy shrubs that grow during the summer and spring months, and requires pruning during the fall. During the fall is when you want to gather your branches for propagating, and they will be ready to plant within a few weeks after taking root. Blueberry plants are also an easy container safe plant that will actually do quite nicely so long as the pot is large enough to accommodate their large root system.

Things You'll Need

• Propagating solution or powder
• Pruning shears
• Peat moss
• Clean starter soil
• Sand
• Small planters or propagating container
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Prune your blueberry plants in the fall and save any large branches. Take them into the greenhouse or another designated place. Take the branches and examine them for any useful pieces. You want ones that aren't dried or wilted. Take the pruning shears and snip each branch at an angle. Each cutting should be no more than 3 to 5 inches in length, and strip all leafs except one or two. This will ensure that the cutting is using all of its energy on producing a decent root system.

2. Prepare the peat moss with a little sand and clean starter mix or soil. Fill the containers or propagating trays with enough soil that the cutting will stick firmly into the mixture. Fill the spray bottle with clean filtered water, and spray the trays or containers with water, right onto the soil. Do not soak the soil, but get it damp.

3. Dip each end of the cuttings into the propagating solution or powder. If using powder you will need to first dip the cuttings into fresh clean filtered water. Place the dipped cuttings (dipped side) gently into the soil mixture, ensuring that they are well saturated into the soil. Spray soil once more with fresh clean filtered water, and mist each cutting with the spray bottle.

4. Place trays or containers in a warm place that ensures frequent sun exposure. This is important in order for the plants to go through photosynthesis and to ensure the root systems of each plant is well structured. Mist several times daily with fresh filtered water; this will ensure the proper amount of moisture and reduce wilting. The cuttings will go through a period of shock, and this is perfectly normal. The process will take several days, usually around 3 to 4 days before the cuttings will start to come out of the shock process. They will more than likely lose any leafs you've left on, and will be slightly wilted during this process.

5. Plant them. Once the cuttings have survived the first week, the root systems will start to develop. It will be 2 to 3 weeks after this that their root system will be strong enough to replant. You will then plant them into 3- to 4-inch containers with starter soil. They should be ready to plant in the ground by next fall, and will start to produce the very next season.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant several different varieties to ensure cross pollination.