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Blueberry Query

Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
in Fruit & veg

New to fruit and veg so lots of queries.  This blueberry is a variety Dixi which I believe is late season.  Never grown one before or seen one growing so  not sure what its supposed to look like when growing. It is in a pot planted early last year and last year it did nothing.  This year I had flowers so was very excited however after they went this is what it looks like and is now doing nothing.  Can anyone give me some advice thanks?

Posts

  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    There's information on the Trehane Nursery website. David Trehane was the first person to grow and sell blueberries in the UK. This link should be a helpful starter https://www.trehanenursery.co.uk/kb_results.asp?ID=12
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I don't know that variety, but I have 3 plants.
    A few important points about growing them

    They must be in ericaceous compost (i.e. acidic compost)
    Feed with a fertilizer suitable for Azaleas (I use Miracle Grow for Azaleas once a month while they are growing)
    Use rainwater whenever possible
    I also give them seaweed extract once every week or so as well, but that's not vital.

    Mine are doing well this year- just picked some to go with my morning porridge :)



    This is a branch of Ozark Blue





    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks will look at the website.  Yes Pete it is in Ericaceous compost.  Wish mine looked like that. I will double check the name.  Does the bush I have look as if nothing will come?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    rachelQrtJHBjb said:
    There's information on the Trehane Nursery website. David Trehane was the first person to grow and sell blueberries in the UK. This link should be a helpful starter https://www.trehanenursery.co.uk/kb_results.asp?ID=12
    I didn't know that - but that's where I got my plants from 3 years ago and they were fine plants on arrival, and still are.

    @home 587 I'm sure you will get some - if the birds don't get there first.
    The first year I had mine I only got a handful from the 3 plants, but I've picked at least 1Kg so far and probably 1Kg or so to go :)
    I also water mine daily in the summer with rainwater. They don't mind wet roots when the weather is good, but they really don't like drying out

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We tried to grow Blueberries in a trough a few years ago.  Neither gave any fruit, and they both died.  We have started growing them again, in the ground at the allotment.  Despite only being planted in February, and being small, young plants; we got a great crop.  For us, they are definitely better in the ground.

    I'm sure you can grow them successfully in pots/troughs, but as thirsty, hungry fruit bushes, perhaps you would be better to put them into the ground.  As mature plants they can and want to grow to a reasonable size.  If you do plant them in the ground, the same advice still applies about soil type, feeding, etc.

    Your plants look healthy, and I can see developing fruit, so as a late variety you will probably get some fruit.  You must net them, otherwise as @Pete.8 says the birds will get them all.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks everyone.  They just don't seem to have done anything for weeks and weeks after flowering. I will see what happens as time goes on and maybe try in the ground next year if nothing.  Even if the birds get them at least I know I had some!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    In the ground is best, but they need very acidic soil or they'll slowly die which is why many people grow them in pots - like me.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    We have acidic soil hence our Spring garden!  This forum is great for novices like  me. Can ask anything.  Am sure there are lots of people growing things for the first time this year. A steep learning curve and I can be bit impatient!. Tried to change my user name but see it's coming out as 'nobody' on this post.  
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Regardless of whether I get any blueberries this year.  Should I prune the bush at all at any time?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Probably not for a few years.
    Some info here from Trehane - if you can read it
    https://www.trehanenursery.co.uk/kb_results.asp?ID=13

    I've had mine almost 4 years now and not pruned.
    I will this winter though as some branches are too long


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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