Yesterday we bought 2 Blueberry bushes which I planted in huge holes each with 2 shovel fulls of decomposed horse manure and 5 lites of peat moss.
I'm getting the idea that this is not so great.
I find it really difficult to find specific information on tree requirements. The Blueberry varieties are a Denise and and Ivanhoe.
Will these pollinate each other?
I also bough 1 Greengage Plum.
Does this need a pollinator?
I imagine apple trees that are double grafted will pollinate each other.
I bought a Golden Delicious/Granny Smith.
Also a solo Cox's Orange Pippin.
Will the Pippin be fertilized by the double graft varities?
Lans;
(1) Here's what I found regarding blueberry pollination @: http://www.noursefarms.com/planting_gui ... guide.html
"It is best to plant at least 2 blueberry varieties for good cross-pollination. Cross pollination leads to bigger berries and more of them. Any combination of varieties will work."
(2) Here's what I found for "Greengage" - I'm not sure if the "Early" is that significant? - @: http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/search ... ?id=EARGRE
"Early Greengage is self-sterile and requires a pollinator to produce a crop."
(3) You said: "I imagine apple trees that are double grafted will pollinate each other."
I agree, and assume someone at least did that homework... Here's what I found on the Cox @ http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/search ... P&pageno=9
Cox's Orange Pippin is listed as: Self-sterile. Golden Delicious is a pollinator for Cox's Orange Pippin, Granny Smith is not.
Keep us posted
Lans, it must be Springtime where you are?
Blueberries need acidic soil for best results, 5 - 6 pH, and lots of organic matter. Adding peat moss will help. Additional sulphur will lower the pH too.
Regarding pollinators: if you have neighbors with fruit trees nearby check with them on what varieties they are growing to see if they are compatible pollinators with yours. Bees travel long distances to collect pollen and nectar and can help a lot.
Is this Tasmania as in south of Australia? What a beautiful country. We visited there last November. The blueberries that produce best in the Pacific Northwest are. Blueray, Collins, Colville and Earliblue, You need to prune about 1/4 tho 1/5th of the oldest canes to the ground during dormant season. They recommend a pH between 4.5 and 5.0-- pretty acidic. Do not use fertilizers containing nitrates. Good luck.
CJ
Thank you for the feedback.
This is a great site, even if based in an altogether different hemisphere!
I miss having internet at home and sorry to those I have not replied to. Your advice is very much appreciated!
The soil is naturally acidic, Australia is. That is how the native trees like it and fortunatley so do the blueberries. I did add some peat moss anyway.
I ended up buying a Victoria plum to pollinate the Greengage. Fingers crossed and hope we have abundant fruit in the future!
Lans:
Just to confirm the apple pollination. I have classified apple polliantion into 4 periods A, B, C, D. A will polliante A & B, C will polliante B & D D will polliante C.
Cox is in the C period
Golden Delicious B,C & D (long bloom periiod)
Granny Smith C
All will get pollinated.
Ted
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