Blueberries excessive growth???

Hi All,

My first post so treat me gently please, I have two blueberry bushes about three years old in 12" containers, they have fruited reasonably well this year but now are throwing off shoots from all over the plant (ie not the base) these shoots are up to 18" long and are in effect almost doubling the size of the plant. Please advise as follows:-

1. Is this excessive
2. How much to prune off when the plant goes dormant

all contributions gratefully received.

thanks
Mike

 

Hello and welcome.

Sounds like normal healthy growth to me. Have you been feeding it and if so, what with? A nitrogen rich fertiliser like you'd use on the lawn or leafy veg would make lots of soft growth, but even so, 18" shoots on a 3 year old blueberry bush sounds ok to me. Mine put on about that much in a year.

As for pruning, I'd wait for someone else to advise, or look it up on the RHS site, because I'm not that good at it to be honest. Mostly I just cut out any shoots aiming inwards, any crossing over, anything that looks about dead, and about 1/3rd off any that are aiming straight for the sky.

 

Hi Mike! Might be time to pot on to a larger pot if three years old. BBs are a super fruit to grow.
The RHS info regarding pruning is here > http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=85

 

Hi Clueless & Dave,
Appreciate replies, was aware of RHS website but as normal with these sites pretty good on what to do but not so good on what to expect.
My main reason for posting was that for the past three summers the plant had only shown minimal growth although fruiting reasonably well then "bang" the last month it has gone mad. I have mulched every year with pine needles and fed with ericaceous feed but never before this rate of growth. I was considering potting on this autumn so maybe it's trying to tell me something.

Thanks for replies I'll suck it and see.

Mike

 

Unlike 2011 and 2012, this year we have actually had a summer. If you've been feeding and watering your bluebs as you say you have, then just add warmth and sunshine and you have everything you need for excellent growth rate