American blueberry, also known as highbush blueberry, is more and more often found on our plots. This shrub, despite its high soil requirements, tempts with extremely he althy and, above all, tasty fruits. Unfortunately, it sometimes happens thatblueberry does not bear fruitWhat are the reasons? Are cultivation errors or blueberry disease to blame? Seewhy the American blueberry does not bear fruitand what to do then. Here's the secret to tasty fruit and a bountiful blueberry yield!
Why doesn't blueberry bear fruit?
American blueberry loves sunny places, sheltered from winds and acidic soil.Only in such a position does it produce the best and most abundant fruit. Depending on the variety, blueberry bushes can bear fruit from mid-July to the end of September. It happens, however, thatthe American blueberry does not bear fruitor its yield is very low. Therefore, it is worth knowing the reasonswhy the American blueberry does not bear fruit
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it grows in an alkaline medium
American blueberry has specific soil requirements. He likes a light, humus substrate, and above all, its reaction should be acidic, i.e. soil pH in the range of 3.5 - 4.5.
On alkaline soilsblueberry will not bear fruit , shrubs may also grow less and suffer from blueberry diseases.
Acid peat, bark pine or various fertilizers for soil acidification, such as e.g. ammonium sulphate. The recommended dose of ammonium sulphate is 30 g / m² divided into two portions - half before the start of vegetation, the rest at the beginning of June.The fertilizer is spread around the plant at a distance of about 20-25 cm from the base of the bush.Special acidifying fertilizers for blueberries with microelements are also available in stores. Such fertilizers contain a full set of macro- and microelements necessary for blueberries for he althy growth and fruiting. Often, however, they are also more expensive and if we have good soil in the garden, which only needs to be acidified, it is not worth overpaying for such fertilizer.
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it was not mulched
In the cultivation of American blueberries, the substrate humidity should be kept constant. So it is very important to mulch the soil under the shrubs. The mulch not only protects against weeds, but also reduces evaporation of water from the ground. The best mulching treatment is performed with pine bark, which additionally has acidifying properties. Coarsely ground bark will keep the substrate moist for a long time, and in winter it will protect the blueberry from freezing of its shallow root system. In order to protect the American blueberry for the winter, we build a mound of pine bark 20 cm high at the base of its shrubs. In addition to mulching, you should also remember to irrigate blueberries, especially in periods of drought. Dried blueberry bushes yield much lower yields.
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it has not been fertilized
Fertilization is of great importance in the cultivation of American blueberry. If we abandon the use of fertilizers that acidify the substrate, such as ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate, blueberries may bear less fruit. It is also worth feeding it every three years with decomposed manure or compost mixed with acid peat in a 1: 2 ratio.
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it grows in excessive shade
American blueberry for flower buds, which translates into the number of fruits, requires sufficient sunlight. Blueberries growing in the shade poorly set flower buds, have little fruit, and their fruit is small, sour and weakly colored.
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it was not cut
After a dozen or so years from planting, it happens thatblueberry does not bear fruitbecause the bushes are excessively thickened and their shoots are too old. In this case, you should rejuvenate the blueberry by cutting all the shoots above the ground in early spring. Over the next years, we shape the blueberry anew. A properly managed bush should have two or three three-year shoots, the rest should be one-year and two-year shoots. Blueberry bushes bear the best fruit on 2-3-year-old shoots, while four-year-old and older ones should be removed.
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it does not have a pollinator
Currently, it is very rare thatblueberry does not bear fruitdue to the lack of pollinator, because the vast majority of blueberries grown are self-pollinating varieties. Nevertheless, cross pollination is beneficial and we will get better yields by planting blueberry bushes of two different varieties. Therefore, if we plant more than one bush, we should choose two different varieties of American blueberry.
Blueberry mycorrhiza
American blueberry does not bear fruit because it lacks mycorrhiza
The American blueberry is a shrub whose growth and fruiting is very much influenced by the presence of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, which, unfortunately, is often underestimated. Mycorrhizal fungi establish a symbiosis with the blueberry roots and by fouling them, they increase their absorptive capacity. Thanks to this, blueberries can more easily absorb water and nutrients from the soil, shrubs grow and yield much better.
Particularly good results from the use of mycorrhizal mycelium for blueberries can be seen in conditions unfavorable for these shrubs, on too barren or dry soils, whenblueberry does not bear fruitor the yield is very poor. Often times, when we cannot improve the growing conditions of plants, the administration of the mycorrhizal vaccine is a blessing. However, it is important to use good-quality, proven mycorrhizal preparations.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
