BLUEBERRY POWDER BLUE Vaccinium Ashei - 9FA93-

Soil Selection and Exposure

Blueberries require very acidic soil, with a pH between 4 and 5.6, that is organic but free of waterlogging. Slightly acidic soils, but free of limestone, can be adapted to blueberries by distributing acidic peat, sawdust, bark, and adding sulfur. In the season before planting, 25 g of sulfur per square meter, thanks to the action of sulfur bacteria, lowers the pH by one point. Irrigation water must be free of limestone; otherwise, rainwater must be collected and used. Unlike the wild blueberry (Vaccinium mytrillus), which prefers cool, northern-facing locations, the American blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) prefers sunny locations. It can be grown at altitudes up to 1,000 m; For Southern Italy, however, it is necessary to verify the varietal choice, because the normal cultivars grow with difficulty in very mild climates. It is therefore necessary to plant specific varieties with low chilling requirements, such as the blueberry Powder Blue  (vaccinium ashei) 

Pollination

The commonly grown varieties are self-fertile, but require entomophilous pollination (bees, bumblebees, and pollinating insects).

Soil preparation and fertilization

It is necessary to perform a soil analysis before planting and intervene accordingly, usually with the use of organic materials and sulfur. For non-professional plantings, it's much easier to use peat moss for acid-loving plants (e.g., azaleas and rhododendrons), both in pots and in holes.

Pot cultivation

Blueberries are often grown in pots or other containers filled with acidic sphagnum peat moss; This technique has allowed for the expansion of cultivation areas, but for good growth over the years, a container of 30 liters or more is required.

 Planting

Plants grown in containers can be planted year-round, but the best time is November for central and southern Italy and early spring for northern Italy.

For common varieties, a spacing of 80 cm between plants and 250 cm between rows is recommended.

Irrigation

Blueberries have a rather limited water and mineral requirement, but they require continuous water throughout the season. It is therefore very useful to provide a drip irrigation system, with two drip emitters on the sides of each plant.

Pruning

Blueberries should be pruned regularly in winter, maintaining 3-4 productive branches per plant: as many young ones and a few new shoots that will then replace the older branches, which need to be renewed every 4 or 5 years.

Row and Inter-row Management

It is always advisable, even in the most suitable soils, to use abundant organic materials along the row to maintain a high level of organic matter, a low pH, and constant soil moisture. For this type of cultivation, it is preferable to use a mulch to contain weeds.

Spring Fertilization

A distribution of 20 g/m2 of acid-reacting mineral fertilizer is usually sufficient. We recommend fertilizers such as Osmocote Hydrangea.