Anyone growing blueberries, advice?

[Cheesenacho123]

We have a blue gold variety of blueberry. Never grown them before and I would like to know when they are supposed to produce flower and fruit. So far all we have is foliage but it doesn’t seem to growing much. I’ve also read somewhere we need a different variety of blueberry plant in order for it to produce blueberries. I’m terrified this one is going to die as the one we had last year got re-potted and ended up turning black and dying within weeks (there was no hope for that one) so with this one I’ve left it in the pot we bought it in for now

I grow blueberries - I have a few varieties and most most are most are in flower now. Fruit would be in the summer.

They do need an acid soil - soil as ericaceous compost. They also need water that isn't too alkaline - if you're on hard water (as I am) then never give it tap water - save rainwater for it.

They do fruit on their own, but fruit MUCH better when alongside a blueberry of a different variety.

We have a waterbutt so just water the plants in the rain water that is collected. Is there a reason that it wouldn’t flower? I’ve just been using normal plant food on it, I assume I need to get some special plant food for it and probably some Acidic soil to replant it in a bigger pot.

Are there definitely no buds on it? They are quite subtle!
Did you cut it back at all - it usually fruits on side shoots or late summer growth I think.

What is the plant food you're using, and what soil or compost is it in?

No buds whatsoever, we only bought it less than a month ago from the garden centre so I assume they have probably pruned it and it’s still in the same pot we bought it. I’ve just been using normal miracle grow plant food, which I assume isn’t right for it

Blueberry flowers are tiny cup shaped flowers. Mine is budding now, but it's a very mature plant. I tend not to feed mine until the fruit is in, then just use tomato food.

We have two Top Hat blueberry bushes, and you do need two different bushes of most varieties to get them to pollinate and grow fruit. Our first year we had nothing at all, last year we had a few handfuls of fruit and this year is looking better. They like acidic soil - there’s a special type of compost they need. Apart from that we just whacked them in large pots and left them to get on with it in a sunny spot.

It may take a year or so before it is ready to fruit. They can be tricky. I've lost a few plants because I don't think the soil where I am is great for blueberries. Last year though I added pineneedles to the soil which was a tip I read and it has worked really well. Both my plants are doing well this year.

They are very temperamental in my experience. I wouldn't leave it in a pot, plant in the garden as long as you have acidic soil. Might well be a couple of years before it fruits and they don't crop as heavily as say blackcurrant.

I moved my three from the garden & allotment into a pot right outside my back door so I can keep an eye on them. All 3 in one huge pot. Ericaceous compost. Water with rainwater. They really all flowering now.

Yours I'd say need putting into a much larger pot and don't cut them back or you won't get flowers next year. They are a long term project not a short term win.

I have mine in a large pot but with ericaceaous compost. Feed with tomato feed later in the season, keep well watered, in a very sunny & sheltered spot. It fruits extremely well but unfortunately I fight a losing battle with the blackbirds so never actually get any fruit. I won't use bird netting as there is too much risk of birds trying to get in anyway and getting tangled. I would rather the birds had the fruit!

But it is very pretty so I don't mind. And I actively encourage birds into my garden so, again, I don't mind!

Just to add that when I had it in my previous house it was right outside my back door and the birds didn't venture that far down, so I actually got a very good crop off it. It is now further away from the house so the birds feel free to raid it at will!

Blueberries like damp soil, so they’re often not too happy in pots. Best to put them in the ground, if you have acid soil

I used to grow mine in pots, but as I don’t have acid soil, I moved them to a sunken bed. It’s basically a large hole, lined with weed proofing fabric and filled with ericaceous compost. The plants do so much better there than they did in a pot, even though they don’t have that much more space.

And yes, you’ll want at least two unless there’s someone nearby who also grows them.

How do I find out if I have acidic soil? I have an azalea in the ground, a hardy fuchsia and a lavender. All were planted by previous people before we moved in. I prefer containers/pots as I have a really big wet patch at the end of garden which is unsuitable to plant anything in because it just dies. But that area gets all the afternoon sun just never dries up so try to put containers/pots over it. We only get wood pigeons really at the moment so not too worried about birds. I think some time next week I’ll look at repotting it

If your Azalea grows well then your blueberry should too as both like acid soil.

If you have healthy azaleas, rhododendrons or camellias then your soil should be acid. My blueberries have moist (and acid) soil, in a flowerbed that has been mulched and improved for decades by the previous owners. In the winter in place a layer of pine bark mulch and lots of pine needles too, also in the summer so that the bushes don’t dry out.
Mine are just starting blossoming now, but if it is younger plant or it has been pruned, you may have to wait. Good luck, blueberries are fun.
Ps I grow Rubel, recommended by James Wong, and they are so delicious and pretty (and a bee feast) I have been adding another plant each spring.