we just bought a blueberry bush and i wanna know?

Question

a) whats the right fertilizer
b)when does it make berries
c) how much do i water it

Answer 1

Blueberries grow best on a sunny site in sandy peat soil, but will also do well in heavy soils so long as there is good aeration and drainage, high in organic matter content. Choose a well-drained, acidic (low pH) soil, preferably in the 4.8 to 5.5 pH range.soil. (Low-bush species prefer a range of 4.0 to 5.3). If your soil is higher than that, it's recommended to add granular sulfur to lower the pH level. You'll should wait at least three months after applying sulfur before planting. Sulfur will damage beneficial soil microorganisms, including the mycorrhizal fungi that are essential for blueberry growth(They help blueberries absorb soil nutrients in exchange for carbohydrates).

A consistent supply of water is best for blueberries, with optimal levels of 2" per week of water. Remove any flowers/ Berry buds the first year to divert energy and nutrients to foliage.

Do not fertilize the first year plants ,the roots are very sensitive at this time. Do not apply any fertilizer at transplanting, or after flowering (as it enhances susceptibility to winter injury).

To avoid root damage, do not cultivate deeper than 2". Cultivation after July increase susceptibility to winter injury; use mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds at this point. Wood chips, grass clippings or leaves make an excellent mulch.

Beginning the Second Year:
In early spring of the second year, before flowering, apply 3-4 ounces of Ammonium Sulfate to each plant. In March and July of the second year apply 1 ounce of 12-4-8 or 10-10-10 per plant. If your soil tests high for phosphorus, use 12-4-8. If your soil tests low or medium in phosphorus, use 10-10-10. Spread the fertilizer evenly over a circle 18 - 24 inches in diameter with the plant in the center.

Do not use Fertilizers containing chlorides or nitrates... they harm blueberry roots.

From the third season on, base the amount of fertilizer applied on the size of the bushes. Generally, blueberry bushes require little fertilizing and are sensitive to excesses.

Or ...you could just grow your blueberries the organic way & follow how they grow in nature. Keep in mind they thrive in a sunny location in moist, but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Amend your soil with humusy material, such as composted leaf litter, which lowers soil pH, acidifies the soil, & boosts organic matter (which improves soil drainage). Just avoid including manure or maple leaves, which raise pH. If you don’t have access to humusy material, you can work moist sphagnum peat moss into your planting holes.

For each blueberry bush, prepare an area 2 to 3 feet wide and 12 to 18 inches deep. Remove the soil and mix it with an equal amount of leaf compost or moistened peat moss. Use about a half bushel of compost or peat per plant, as a general rule. Backfill the hole with the soil and compost or peat mixture to form a mound. Plant your blueberries in the raised mounds, keeping the shrubs at the same depth they were in their pots. Then mulch with pine needles & leaves.

A blueberry plant will take 3-5 years to bear large yields. Many nice size potted bushes are already 2 yr olds, so you'll can look forward to seeing berries the year after planting. Plant two or more varieties within a type. Five plants provide enough blueberries for fresh eating, drying, and preserving for a family of four.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

You need a male and a female plant, used to sell them at the nursery I worked at in NC.
I had them and they produced the second year--only way I ever got one to eat was if I went out and zipped a zip lock bag over a cluster of berries before it got ripe. I sat and watched 7 birds pick up my net off of the plants and drop it in the drive and lunch down. No need to fertilize a bunch, every other year in the spring with any old all purpose fertilizer. Bright sun keep watered, mine were mainly in shade and in a wet area so I never watered them.

Answer 3

Blueberries are very particular in what they require to grow and produce to their fullest potential. You will however, need to plant more than one varitety for cross pollination. Here is a link that will give you some good info..
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1422.html
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8207.html

...Billy Ray

Answer 4

from what i was told you are not supposed to let it flower for 2 years. call a nursery and ask them they can tell you exactly the kind of care it will need