We have 5 large blueberry plants in our backyard. They were here 10 years ago when we moved to this Clackamas home. They are delicious and large and not all the same kind. However, I really would love to know how to prune them. I have a DVD about 'how to' prune them...but the blueberries in the DVD are so much nicer than mine...I really don't know what to do.
Is there some teacher who might want to show others the proper way to prune....you could use my blueberry bushes as examples? cj
I'm too busy to leave my orchard now, but can give you some pointers.
First get your pruning done me March 15th if at all possible.
Start at the bottom and prune any low spreading branches that will droop to the ground with berries. Next, thin the center of the plant if it is too crowded. Next, remove twiggy old growth that will produce few berries. One rule is to prune back to new wood (easier to ID on some varieties). Finally remove the laterals that will produce berries to far inside the plant ( hard to pick) or that are too far out (on a limb) from the center, that will droop toward the ground when loaded with fruit. Remember most berries are formed on 2 and 3 year old wood.
Fertilize twice (I like Fish Emulsion) in the spring after flowering and before harvest.
George B. Gifts of the Planet Farm
[quote="cj2619":2xssqsvt]We have 5 large blueberry plants in our backyard. They were here 10 years ago when we moved to this Clackamas home. They are delicious and large and not all the same kind. However, I really would love to know how to prune them. I have a DVD about 'how to' prune them...but the blueberries in the DVD are so much nicer than mine...I really don't know what to do.
Is there some teacher who might want to show others the proper way to prune....you could use my blueberry bushes as examples? cj[/quote:2xssqsvt]
It is almost too late to prune in my opinion. I can give you some advice without being able to see the plants.
1.) fruit is produced on 1 year old stems pruning often cuts off fruiting wood it's a compromise
2.) most all shrubs can benefit from thinning the canopy to allow air circulation, blueberries included
3.) blueberries are cane growers and produce new canes from the bottom
4.) to stimulate new cane growth old canes need to be removed
Blueberry shrubs have good vigour meaning they can be pruned heavily without problems. A good guide to how many canes are needed? is 7-10. Older neglected blueberries might not have enough canes and might not look like the pictures in books and other media, and rejuvenation is in order.
Rejuvenation usually means sacrificing fruit, pruning drastically and is not a task for beginners.
Randy Williamson
Yamhill County Master Gardener
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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