Which Blueberries to grow ?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Nov 9, 2020.

  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Going to try Blueberries for the first time, need to order now for planting soon. They will have to go in containers as my soil is alkaline. I think I need at least two plants for cross pollination. Anyone recommend reliable hardy varieties and supplier. I am leaning towards Kings Seeds who sell "Blue Crop", "Brigitta" and "Chandler"
     
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    • WeeTam

      WeeTam Total Gardener

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      Cant remember my variety but cost a quid each in poundland. Big plants but could do with a new variety to cross with so looking on with interest.
       
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      • ricky101

        ricky101 Total Gardener

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        We bought 2 of these collections some years ago, gave fair crops, but here up north they all came ready at the same time, rather than spread apart.
        Buy Blueberry - All Season Collection | J Parker Dutch Bulbs

        Smallish plants, so the first year or so were in 12" pots but then moved into 40 ltr tubs, and probably the second to third year before any sizeable crop.

        You need a good 3ft sq for each plant to grow without the branches tangling with each other.
         
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        • Logan

          Logan Total Gardener

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          I bought from Mr. Fothergills seeds and plants. Good size plants and ready to fruit next year, they do a offer of buy 2 get the third free. I have to have them in containers also.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Thank you @WeeTam @ricky101 and @Logan - that has helped me.

            I am tempted by the jparkers plants, I have bought many time from them and they are always good but have decided to pay a little more to get bigger plants. There is a nursery near me that sells blueberries for a similar price and size to Mr Fothergills so I will do a click and collect from them.
             
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            • Pifco

              Pifco Apprentice Gardener

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              I bought mine several years ago from Parkers and they grew well with very little attention needed they were also an attractive plant but after five or six years I lost a little interest because the birds seemed to be eating many more berries than I was so I gave them to a local primary school, I don't know what they did with them.
               
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              • Logan

                Logan Total Gardener

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                I have to cover mine with fleece when the fruit is ripening, the black birds love the early varieties but take no notice of the late ones. Usually i keep it on until i pick them all but this year i got fed up with them being covered because i had to keep taking it off when i had to water them.
                 
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                • Nikolaos

                  Nikolaos Total Gardener

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                  @JWK I grew 'Chandler' and 'Earliblue' and they both did really well, but I'm getting rid of them to make way for more ornamentals. A lot of people on my allotment grow 'Bluecrop' and always seem to get a good crop. 'Chandler' is definitely the one I favour most because of flavour, fruit size and amount of berries.

                  Nick
                   
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    Birds and squirrels are a big problem in my garden @Pifco and @Logan - I don't mind sharing some with the wildlife but they completey stripped my gooseberries this year before they were ripe. It is so disheartening. I have to use chicken wire netting to keep them off my strawberries so I intend to knock up a cage to protect these new blueberry bushes.
                     
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                    • JWK

                      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                      Thanks @Nikolaos - might get Bluecrop and Chandler
                       
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                      • WeeTam

                        WeeTam Total Gardener

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                        I think i will try growing from seed next spring. Will be looking for large fruits in supermarkets. Thinking Polish as they get some cold winters and produce large fruits.
                         
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                        • Logan

                          Logan Total Gardener

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                          I've collected seed from my blueberries so that i know they'll do well in my garden. I've put them in the freezer for 3 months then sow them in spring.
                           
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                          • mazambo

                            mazambo Forever Learning

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                            I've been looking at blueberries for a while and these two are the ones that I'd been thinking about getting (specifically for the birds) so I'm very happy I'm on the right track, I have my eyes on some on eBay, 2 yo plants around 35-45cm so I'll see how that goes.
                             
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                            • Nikolaos

                              Nikolaos Total Gardener

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                              I didn't buy mine for that purpose @mazambo, but the blackbirds certainly seemed to think I did! :heehee:

                              Nick
                               
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                              • mazambo

                                mazambo Forever Learning

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                                I hope I'll get the same reaction when I grow them.
                                 
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