questions about my Highbush Blueberry bush

Apr 05, 2023 10:26:35

Hello. Many years ago we bought some high bush blueberries. I really wanted low bush, but I didn't really know much about either one - low sounded cooler ^_^

So far this year they're not really producing any berries? I went to Homedepot and those for sale already had berries, I'm not sure what happened.

(Pictures below of my high bush).

Question 1: Why did my bush not produce any berries this year yet? Or is it just delayed? I saw bees pollinating too

Question 2: Why is it growing all tall and stuff and not really producing more surface area to grow berries if/when it does produce. Are my bushes not growing the way these bushes should be growing? Maybe it's a sunlight issue. I expected it to grow out more than it has so far - it's growing kind of stringy looking.

If you look at one of the pictures below you'll see a very string plant reaching up.

I honestly want to just remove them and put low bush berries. Unless I'm supposed to prune these or something (never thought of that before)

Apr 05, 2023 10:51:39

Amir, I'm not sure if I know the answer to your questions exactly, but I have these too and can share some observations. Is this the first year it's flowered? Those flowers should mean berries.

I find that my blueberries produce better in sun, but if this is a lone bush, it may need a pollinator. Even self-pollinating bushes and trees seem to do better with a companion for cross-pollination.

The other thing is the pH of your soil. Is it acidic enough?

Apr 05, 2023 12:33:35

Leigh Tate wrote:Amir, I'm not sure if I know the answer to your questions exactly, but I have these too and can share some observations. Is this the first year it's flowered? Those flowers should mean berries...

Can I see pictures of yours??

Ours are at least 3 or 4 years old!!

Ohh flowers are berries.. well idk what happened but I don't see any berries after it went to flower. We have like 3 or 4 or 5 out there. I think they're all the same type of bush. Can't remember what kind of bush they are exactly.

Apr 05, 2023 12:33:46

I have the same problem with my 3-year-old blueberries. They are producing berries this year but are thin and leggy. I think they didn't get enough water during the last 2 drought years. I will prune them back hard after they finish producing this year. The soil here is Ph 5.5, so I don't think low acidity is the problem.

Apr 05, 2023 12:35:25

Carolyn Spain wrote:I have the same problem with my 3-year-old blueberries. They are producing berries this year but are thin and leggy. I think they didn't get enough water during the last 2 drought years. I will prune them back hard after they finish producing this year. The soil here is Ph 5.5, so I don't think low acidity is the problem.

What do you prune off??? If they're thin and leggy will pruning even work? Won't it take longer for the berries to produce again after you prune??

I think our soil by default is acidic. I even use pine needles as mulch.

Glad to see I'm not the only one.

Post some pictures of yours if you can!

Apr 05, 2023 13:35:33

Amir Khayyat wrote:Can I see pictures of yours??

Sure! We have a bunch of them, actually. This is one my husband transplanted from a shady spot to our sunny front yard.

It's been there for a couple of years now and just started producing a few berries last year. It came from a row of blueberry bushes that volunteered under an oak tree.

So, those are about the same age as the one in the first picture, but they don't get any sun. They have a few flowers on them, but not many.

Our oldest blueberry bush is below, if you can see it! I pruned it this year because it was too tall and too thick with branches and leaves. This is how it looks after pruning.

It gets partial sun and produces the most blueberries on the sunniest side. I also want to mention that it responded very well to pruning and put out a bunch of flowers.

Ohh flowers are berries.. well idk what happened but I don't see any berries after it went to flower.

Mine flower in March and April, and the blueberries are ready to pick in July. Here's what to watch for.

After the petals fall off the flowers, they leave little green balls behind. Those will grow until they're blueberry size, gradually turn pink, and then blueberry blue. If they get plenty of water, the blueberries can grow as big as a dime! They continue to ripen throughout the month, so we get at least 4 weeks of fresh blueberries.

I don't like that guy. The tiny ad agrees with me.

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