Why are my blueberries not growing?

Category: home and garden landscaping
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Blueberries prefer a soil pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Sometimes the soil pH is fine, but the plants stopped growing early or dried up during the first dry weather of the summer, even in fields that have irrigation. As the soil water drains away, there is little reason for the plant roots to grow into the relatively dry sand.



Also know, are blueberries slow growing?

Quick facts about growing blueberries Plant two or more varieties for successful pollination. Plants won't have much fruit the first 2 to 3 years. Harvest is bigger after 5 years. Blueberry plants grow slowly and reach full size in 8 to 10 years.

Beside above, how often should you water a blueberry bush? Water blueberry plants during the day. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Give them at least 1" per week during growing season and up to 4" per week during fruit ripening. Keep the soil moist to a depth of 1".

Thereof, how can I make my blueberry bushes grow faster?

Several tons per acre are spread over intended rows in swaths 4 feet wide, at least 3 inches deep, and then tilled into the soil along with agricultural sulfur and peat where soil tests show the need to acidify soil to attain an optimum pH range of 4.8 to 5.0, plus a modest amount of pre-plant fertilizer.

What can you not plant near blueberries?

Other plants not in the Ericaceae family that can accompany blueberries are camellias (Camellia spp.), bearing early spring flowers in assorted colors; summersweet (Clethra spp.), bearing white or pink fragrant flowers; and fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.)

26 Related Question Answers Found

How do you feed blueberries?

For organic fertilizers for blueberries, you can use blood meal or fish meal to provide nitrogen. Sphagnum peat or coffee grounds will help to provide acidity. Bone meal and powdered seaweed to fertilize blueberries can provide the potassium and phosphorus.

How many times a year do blueberries produce?

It can take three to four years before they will produce fruit. Blueberries also produce better if they are cross pollinated. This means that growing blueberry bushes of different varieties will help with their production.

Do you need 2 blueberry bushes?

Answer:Blueberry plants are self-fertile (each flower has the necessary male and female parts), however you still should buy more than one variety. That's because a blueberry plant produces more berries and bigger berries when it cross pollinates with a different blueberry variety.

What is the best blueberry plant?

The “Misty” and “Sunshine Blue” southern highbush cultivars are two of the best kinds of blueberries to plant in your home landscape. They have attractive bright pink flower buds and dark green foliage.

Why are my blueberries falling off the bush?


The most likely explanation is poor pollination, especially since the fruit is dropping soon after bloom. The weather after bloom during early fruit growth also influences the amount of drop we see. Bumble bees are the best pollinators for blueberries and some varieties are more attractive than others to the bees.

How do you grow blueberries sweeter?

The three main factors governing sweetness are adequate sunlight, weather (especially moisture) and soil nutrition. Sunlight-wise, is it possible that your bushes are getting less light now because nearby trees have grown and created more shade? Weather-wise, berries are actually sweeter in drier years during ripening.

Are blueberries self pollinating?

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) bushes are self-pollinating to an extent, but grow larger fruit through cross-pollination by a second variety. Both varieties of blueberries involved in cross-pollination need to have bloom times that are at the same time of the season to be successful.

Where is the best place to grow blueberries?


It's best to grow blueberries in an area where water is readily available so you can keep their roots moist throughout the growing season. Raised beds or patio containers are good options for planting blueberries in areas where the soil is not ideal.

Are blueberries hard to grow?

The Easiest Blueberries for Beginners to Grow. Native to North America, blueberries grow well in acidic soil and in areas with at least 140 frost-free days per year. They're also perfect for organic gardeners since they can easily be grown without pesticides.

How long does it take to grow tomatoes?

Tomatoes take 20 to 30 days to reach maturity from the time they first appear, so expect your tomato plants to begin producing fruits 40 to 50 days after planting them in the ground.

Is Miracle Grow good for blueberries?

Blueberry bushes will grow strong and prolific when you use Miracle-Gro® soil and plant food together to create the ideal nutrition-filled growing environment. Doing this won't just feed your blueberry bushes, but will also feed the microbes in the soil that help your plants take in all the nutrition they need.

Is Epsom salt good for blueberry bushes?

If your blueberries need magnesium, Epsom salt grants temporary relief. In deficient soils, broadcast 1/4 cup of Epsom salt in a 10-inch diameter around the plant, and water thoroughly. If high pH is the real culprit, extra magnesium in the soil won't help, and Epsom salt's sulfur doesn't affect pH.

What is the best fertilizer for blueberry bushes?


Blackberries respond well to any nitrogen-rich fertilizer, but blueberries require fertilizers with an ammonium form of nitrogen such as urea, sulfur-coated urea, ammonium sulfate, or cottonseed meal. Any fertilizer sold for azaleas or rhododendrons also works well for blueberries.

Can blueberries get too much sun?

Once you have your location selected, make sure that the location will get full sun, at least ¾ of the day. Blueberries will tolerate partial shade, especially late in the day. Blueberries will grow in higher pH, but to achieve highest production, you will need to amend the soil around the plants.

Can you use tomato feed on blueberries?

Blueberries require light, free-draining acidic soils, with plenty of rich, organic matter if they're to thrive. If you don't have suitable soil, simply grow blueberries in a pot containing ericaceous compost, giving the plants a high potash feed (such as tomato feed) occasionally during the growing season.