View Single Post
  #5   Report Post  
Old 09-10-2009, 01:25 AM posted to rec.gardens
brooklyn1 brooklyn1 is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,342
Default Pruning Blueberry Bushes

Connecticut wrote:
I have two spindly Blueberry Bushes and wondered if I cut them back
considerably if they would bear more fruit. If so, when would be th
best time to do so?


There are many reasons why blueberries are not productive. Mainly
they need a suitable polinator... with just two bushes of unknown type
they may not be suitable for polinating each other. Also blueberries
are very slow growing long lived plants, so don't expect much for at
least ten years. You also need to maintain a properly acidified
nutritive soil. Actually pruning is the least important aspect of
blueberry growing affecting production... trim away dead wood anytime
after berry production ceases. And of course you need to protect your
berries from preditors, if not you will get no berries.... crows will
land on the new tender top growth and break it off with their weight,
your plants will never grow... I keep large tomato cages over mine
with netting draped over. I have a dozen plants, three each of four
different varieties that fruit early, mid, and late season... I
harvest about a cup a day during the summer. I suggest planting more
bushes to increase your crop.