propagating blueberries
 

I live in upstate NY, in Otego, right near Oneonta. I'm located
halfway between Albany and Binghamton.

I plan to start trying to propagate this year but haven't found any
advice specifically for my area.

First, I wonder if I could take cuttings as early as April (we're not
sure that there won't be a frost here until mid May).

Second, do I need to keep all the cuttings from one bush in one
container or can I mix the cuttings (I have about 8 varieties and
don't know if they like to be separated or will do just as well mixed
with their field mates. Also should the cuttings in each container be
stuck in at approximately 2" X 2" intervals?

Once the cuttings have rooted (about 4 weeks?) can they be planted in
permanent beds, outside on the blueberry hill,
or do they need to be transplanted into intermediate larger containers
for the winter?

In either case, (on the hill or in containers), do I plant several
cuttings together or does each rooted cutting make it's own bush?

If I can plant directly on the hill, do I dig a hole approximately 8"
across and 8" deep, line it with potting mix of sand/peat moss/and
pine bark 1:1:1; and put the root ball into that, mulching the top
with wood chips?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me,
Janet Sutta

propagating blueberries
 

Janet,
You can also dig up and replant the suckers that pop up about 8"-15" away
from the base of a mature plant. They produce the next year if planted in
direct sun. My neighbor has all the bushes he wants and my transplanting
suckers keeps his picking pathways clear. I plant them randomly. It helps
pollination.
Stuart//

propagating blueberries
 

On Jan 12, 9:02*pm, thisfineday wrote:
I live in upstate NY, in Otego, right near Oneonta. *I'm located
halfway between Albany and Binghamton.

I plan to start trying to propagate this year but haven't found any
advice specifically for my area.

First, I wonder if I could take cuttings as early as April (we're not
sure that there won't be a frost here until mid May).

Second, do I need to keep all the cuttings from one bush in one
container or can I mix the cuttings (I have about 8 varieties and
don't know if they like to be separated or will do just as well mixed
with their field mates. Also should the cuttings in each container be
stuck in at approximately 2" X 2" intervals?

Once the cuttings have rooted (about 4 weeks?) can they be planted in
permanent beds, outside on the blueberry hill,
or do they need to be transplanted into intermediate larger containers
for the winter?

In either case, (on the hill or in containers), do I plant several
cuttings together or does each rooted cutting make it's own bush?

Each rooted cutting will make it's own bush. No need to plant several
together, in fact probably a bad idea. The inside canes need
sunlight.

If I can plant directly on the hill, do I dig a hole approximately 8"
across and 8" deep, line it with potting mix of sand/peat moss/and
pine bark 1:1:1; and put the root ball into that, mulching the top
with wood chips?

Rule of thumb is hole needs to be 2x bigger than the root ball. The
potting mix is good if the soil drains well. Have you had a soil test
recently? Blueberries like an acidic soil, 4.5 to 5.5 pH, for best
production. Fertilize lightly 2-3 times a year using a fertilizer
made for Azaleas/Camellias.

Let us know how your propagation turns out. I'm experimenting with
blueberry propagation from cuttings myself.

KC