Blueberries Plants: Don't Let Them Fruit the First Year!
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Blueberries plants need to be established before you allow them to bear fruit. In the spring, promote root and vegetative maturity by taking out all flower clusters. On the second year, allow a few flower clusters to remain so that you can have some fruit in the third year. In their fourth or fifth year, your blueberries plants may have a full crop.
Harvesting the Blueberries Plants Blueberries begin ripening during mid to late July. You should pick the berries one to three days after turning blue. When harvesting, make sure that the color of the fruit is all blue. There should be no red on it. The production reaches its peak from early to mid August. Pest and Diseases Prevention is always the key to managing pest and diseases. Weed regularly your blueberries plants. These weeds not only compete with moisture and nutrition, they can also be a haven for insects and diseases. Pests Blueberries plants are not afflicted with too many pests. The most common one, however, is the blueberry maggot – a small fly’s larva that feeds inside the developing fruit. Start with organic insecticide sprays when the fruit starts turning blue. Diseases The most common fungus afflicting blueberries plants is the mummy berry, which causes shriveling and hardening of the berries. If you want to avoid the application of fungicide, remove diligently all infested fruits every year. Another affliction of the blueberries plants is the birds. You can deal with this problem by using a fabric netting, post, and wire frame that you can purchase in your local garden centers. When the first fruits start turning blue, place the netting over the frame. Stake the netting edges to the ground so as to prevent the birds from trying to get under. To prolong the life of the netting, post, and wire frame, store them carefully in a cool, dry place as soon as you are done harvesting. Maintenance Mulching around the plant base will help with soil moisture control and reduction of weed growth. Examples of good mulch are bark, pine needles, sawdust, shavings, and woodchips. Make sure that your woodchips have not been treated with toxic materials. The mulch should be about six inches thick. Select varieties of blueberries plants that are right for your area. If you are unsure, ask your local garden center. Remember also that some blueberries plants are cross-pollinating, and planting them at the same time can improve your fruit size and lengthen your harvest season.
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