pruning newly planted blueberry bush?

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Read somewhere on the internet that you should prune back newly planted blueberry bushes. Anyone else raise them and did you prune them back when first planting the bushes? Was wondering if it is absolutely necessary. Thank ya!

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), April 19, 2002

Answers

Annie, we bought new ones last year and put them in according to the directions from the grower. We pruned. In the past we have not and had very unsatifactory results so this time we did it exactly "by the book". I have never had healthier looking plants. The rational is that they need to put all their energy into the root system the first year. It doesn't take long to cut that 1/3 off, and if you have rooting compound you can stick them into peat and make new bushes. I did and have several that took quite nicely. So, to answer your question, not absolutely necessary...........but beneficial in the long run.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), April 19, 2002.

Thanks Diane! The bushes have all these buds on them and I was being greedy thinking I'd have berries this year. I never thought of using the prunings to start new plants. duh. Now, I don't feel so bad! Thanks for the great info. Appreciate it!

New question.....should I add compost to the dirt I put the cuttings in? Use straight peat moss?

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), April 20, 2002.


Sheesh, I need a few more cups of coffee....I just reread where you said to use peat for the cuttings......Thanks Diane!

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), April 20, 2002.

I've been reading up on planting my new blueberries too. Someone over on Gardenweb said that you should remove all the flowers the first year also to put the energy into the root system. Sort of like not letting the strawberries flower the first year for the same reason.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), April 20, 2002.

I remember pruning them and almost dying! I have a large patch (business patch) and yes you must prune. You should get some blueberries the first year even. I allow for a few for taste. Did you check your soil, if not you should and add to make sure it is about 4.5 ph.

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), April 29, 2002.


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