pruning blueberry bushes

scotty · Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 8

Hi,

I have 3 blueberry bushes which are about 5 or 6 years old now and doing very well. They seem to like where they are and have cropped well this year.

I have never pruned them as I do with other berries, but wonder should I attempt it this year. If so, how do I go about it?

GPI · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

In short scotty......
Remove the two or three older canes that were most unproductive this year.
Prune off any dead, diseased or damaged wood.
Also cut out those canes that haven't produced much new growth on one-year-old wood.
Make cuts to open up the centre of the plant to let light down right into the centre.
It is also worth removing any low growths that touch the ground normally, or touch the ground when bearing fruit.

It will also be worth your while reading this article How To Grow BlueBerries and this thread Cranberrys, any chance of growing in Limerick?
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scotty · Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 8

That sounds ok. I don't like to prune too much but they have become quite bushy now and there isn't so much fruit on the inner canes. I have taken very little care of them up till now, except for manuring them once a year and they have done remarkably well.
Thanks for the advice.

ian · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: Blueberries and manure

hi Scotty,
i managed to kill off 18 two year old bushes this year, between burning frosty winds and fresh manure, both roots and stems burned of them. Also two japanese Wine berries as well. Fruit cage constructed this year with debris netting to diffuse the wind and getting manure over winter so heres hoping for better luck next season. Older and Wiser !

Regards, Ian.