This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
When is it best to prune blueberry bushes growing in pots?
Keithster
Posts: 29
in Fruit & veg
Happy New Year to everyone. Having read a few different internet sites and books on the subject, I'm still unclear when best to prune blueberry bushes. They're in large pots and they're mature.
I think I should be pruning them during the dormant season (November to March), but then I read on the RHS website that the ideal time is in late Feb/early March as it will then be possible to distinguish between leaf and flower buds at this time.
Secondly, they didn't fruit particularly well this year, but they've been in the same ericaceous compost for a while and I suspect they need repotting. When would be the best time to repot them?
Thank you in advance for your help.
I think I should be pruning them during the dormant season (November to March), but then I read on the RHS website that the ideal time is in late Feb/early March as it will then be possible to distinguish between leaf and flower buds at this time.
Secondly, they didn't fruit particularly well this year, but they've been in the same ericaceous compost for a while and I suspect they need repotting. When would be the best time to repot them?
Thank you in advance for your help.
0
Posts
I always do mine around now.
If they are quite big already and staying in the same pots it is best to remove the top few inches of compost and replace with new ericaceous compost, then mulch with something suitable to retain moisture. If they are being moved to a larger container then use fresh EC and mulch
As far as pruning, I always remove the oldest wood (it looks quite rough and knarly compared to newer wood) right down to the base to promote new growth. Depending on the size of the bush I do at least two stems. Then prune of any of the usual 3Ds. If you follow this yearly then younger, more productive stems will be ready to replace the older and the bush should remain fruitful
Hope that helps
When I bought my plants from them last year the plating advice for pot culture was soil-based ericaceous (John Innes ericaceous) with the addition of slow-release pelleted ericaceous fertiliser. Maybe yours also need feeding and possibly more watering during dry spells to ensure fruit set after flowering?