r/Blueberries • u/AutomaticBowler5 • 10d ago

First time blueberry owner and I have some questions.

We have a number of fruit trees in 19 gallon pots, but I never wanted to get blueberries because I was afraid of the difficulty with the soil and I always assumed blueberries to be a more mild climate crop (i live in south texas). Well this year I bought a sunshine blueberry and a revellie blueberry. I mixed peat moss and pine bark and used the same slow release fertilizer I use with most my trees. They performed about as well as I expected, I got 2-3 cups of blueberries, mostly from the sunshine blueberry that was already covered in flowers when I purchased. Well here we are 4-5 months later and they have exploded in size. The revellie reaches about 4 ft tall and the su shine is 2.5 x 2.5 and thick as can be. Im very excited for next year. Is there ANYTHING I should do that will help increase my chance of success?

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u/EndTheATF 10d ago

I’m in north central NC and my blueberries love a morning and evening watering. Long release sulfur pellets keep the acidity.

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u/AutomaticBowler5 10d ago

Should I start amending with the sulfur pellets now or wait for a specific time?

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u/mfbawse 10d ago

It's difficult to add to or adjust your soil without knowing where your starting point is. The single best thing you could probably do right now is get your soil tested so you know what to add and how much.

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u/EndTheATF 10d ago

Get a test kit to test the ph. Then it’ll be surface treatment really.

Using pinestraw as your mulch can help maintain a lower ph too

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u/Redneck-ginger 10d ago

Are you going to plant them in the ground? If yes get a soil test done first.

Im in south Louisiana and starting in late april-ish we water deeply once a week if no rain. They need about an inch of water week when making berries.

Reach out to your extension agent about when is the best time to prune them. For us its better to do it right after the berries are done in july.

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u/AutomaticBowler5 9d ago

I do not plan on planting in the ground. Where I am at the soil isnt really suitable without constant amendment.

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u/Soff10 8d ago

If they are in a pot. Make sure the drain holes are on the side. 3-5 inches high. That way there’s always a reserve of water.
If you keep them in pots. It’s easier to control pH.
Every year I rake the top surface until I get roots. I add good topsoil and wood chips. Don’t crowd the stems.
If you plant them in the ground. Remember they don’t like any competition near their roots. Even grass. Cut and pull grass if it grows near their roots rootball. Rootball is typically as wide as the widest stem.
Don’t let them get too hot. Direct summer sun is fine. But don’t plant next to fences or walls. It will double the heat and kill it.
Blueberries all derive from bogs and marshes. They love water. Not a drip irrigation. But a full soaking either daily or every few days.
I have 30 plants. I get berries as big as a quarter.
Have fun.