Methods for breeding blueberries and caring for cultivars

Blueberries are a fairly extensive type of shrub, which includes many species. Each of the varieties has certain qualities, and therefore methods of caring for plants may differ among themselves. It is known that the fruits of blueberry have an incredible set of useful properties for the human body. Therefore, deciding to grow such a bush on your site, you should familiarize yourself with some of the features of different varieties.

Tall (garden) blueberries are a unique plant. The fruits of the shrub are of great benefit to the human body, stimulate the work of many organs and allow you to cope with various problems.

There are a large number of varieties of blueberries that can be used for planting on their own site. One of the most popular types is Bluegold. A characteristic feature of this variety is the presence of light blue berries with dense pulp. As for the bushes themselves, they will be the perfect complement to any garden. The plant is notable for its splendor and external beauty.

"Bluegold" refers to the early varieties, so the ripening of fruits occurs in July. Even not in the most fruitful season with one bush can collect up to 5 kg of berries.

Another popular brand is Bleucrop. These are unique shrubs, characterized by high resistance to various external influences. The peculiarity of the variety is that the fruits have a slightly flattened shape. During ripening, the berries do not crack, maintain their density and are excellent for transportation.

The peculiarity of another interesting variety of “Blurs” is in the lush flowering that falls in the spring. In the summer, shrub pleases a large number of juicy and brilliant berries. In addition, the variety has good frost resistance: it tolerates temperatures down to -35 degrees.

Modern gardeners know many ways to grow different varieties of blueberries at home. All methods are divided into two main groups. The first option - the sexual way, which is carried out by the use of seeds. The second group implies vegetative cultivation; different parts of the plant are used for this.

In general, seed propagation is used only for breeding. This is due to the hard work, as the process itself can take several years. As for the vegetative methods, their advantage lies in the fact that during reproduction of the plant it is possible to preserve the varietal qualities of blueberries. Each of the options has both advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered during the selection.

One of the most popular ways is grafting. This method is divided into several options that can be used both in spring and in winter.

The following video will help you to learn more about the reproduction of lignified cuttings at the site.

The reproduction of blueberries with green cuttings is quite popular and at the same time a new way among gardeners. Harvesting is done at the end of June, for work you should choose good shoots, without various defects. After that, you need to do cutting branches. Each of them must have at least 5 buds.

After cutting, it is necessary to prepare the substrate. To do this, mix sand and peat in proportions of 1: 3. Cut the blueberry cuttings into the prepared substrate, following the 5x5 cm scheme. It is better to cut the blueberries in a container, for sealing which you must use a film.

After 2 months, rooting of cuttings takes place.In winter, peat and sawdust are used to cover blueberries. With the onset of spring, cuttings should be planted in the greenhouse.

It is worth noting that this method has several significant advantages, namely:

• all varietal qualities that are inherent in the mother shrub are preserved;
• seedlings have a more powerful root system in comparison with other species;
• shrubs have good endurance.

As for the shortcomings, they are also there. The main disadvantage is that the rooting of blueberries occurs in August, and for this reason it is not prepared for the coming cold weather. That is why the plant should provide optimal conditions for the period of wintering.

Also, blueberry breeding is often carried out by lignified cuttings. Preparation takes place in the spring - in March or April. As in the previous case, the shoots are cut and leave 5 buds on each of them. The length of each branch should not be less than 15 cm.

For the preparation of the soil is used high peat. The cuttings are placed in it in such a way that 2 buds remain above. Blueberries multiply in the container, which, in turn, put in a greenhouse. Pay attention to the air temperature in the greenhouse - it should be warm, but not hot.

You can multiply blueberries at home with the help of seeds. For this it is necessary to select ripe fruits and lower them into the water. Pre-berries turn into mush in order for the seeds to sink to the bottom. Breeding material is planted in wet sand, it is best to use containers for this. Containers with blueberries should be left in a cool place for germination.

As noted above, the seed dilution method is used quite rarely. This is due to the fact that the fruiting of the shrub occurs only in the 7th year after landing in the ground. In addition, the process of seed preparation itself is quite hard work.

Before planting blueberries, you should choose the most suitable place for this. Previously used plots are not the best option, since the soil here is deprived of sufficient nutrients. In this case, blueberries will develop poorly and may die.

Also not recommended for planting lowlands. This is due to the fact that the stagnation of water has a negative effect on the roots of blueberries - they are damaged and rot. It should not be planted in a clay soil.

Notice that garden blueberries need a lot of sunlight. Sometimes gardeners use the area in partial shade for planting, and this is considered a mistake. Due to the lack of light and heat, the shrub will grow small, and the berries will have a sour taste.

Beginner gardeners should remember that light soil is ideal for growing blueberries. Peat and sandy soils have enough nutrients for good growth of the shrub. For cultivation, you should choose a soil with rotted leaf litter, as it has a positive effect on fertility.

It is necessary to plant blueberries from north to south, keeping a distance of 1.5-2 m (it all depends on the characteristics of the variety). This is especially true when it comes to multiple shrubs.

As for the most suitable time for planting blueberries, then you can do this both in spring and in autumn. Many gardeners prefer the first option. This is due to the fact that in summer the plant gets acclimatized in a new place.In addition, care for blueberries in this period is much easier.

You can plant in the fall, but some shrubs do not survive well, which leads to their freezing. In this case, the plant will need a warm shelter.

Caring for blueberries is not difficult, but you should know a few basic rules.

• The plant needs regular and uniform watering. But you should not be zealous, as stagnation of water can lead to the death of the shrub. Watch the soil carefully, especially in the summer, as it may dry out. In the cool season, watering is done 2 times a week.
• It is not recommended to use organic fertilizers for feeding blueberries. It is best to apply nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, which can increase the yield of blueberries.
• As for pruning shrubs, this process is carried out every year. It is best to do this with the onset of spring or fall, after the leaves fall.

• For proper crown formation it is necessary to prune the main branches. You should also remove the lower shoots.
• During fruiting you need to do regulatory pruning. Fruit buds and inflorescences must be processed so that they remain in a uniform amount. You should not be too zealous not to harm the plant.
• It is necessary to remove large branches of a bush after 5 years after planting. Also, many gardeners spend rejuvenating pruning for the 8 year of blueberry life, which removes weak and deformed shoots.
• In summertime, strongly growing branches pinch. In the same period, it is necessary to remove small tufts that are localized at the ends of the shoots.

On the secrets of breeding blueberries, see the following video.