Bluebuy; If this picture doesn't open click here. Between descriptions of the varieties is cultural information on how we grow our blueberry bushes. Click the "growingcrop" picture for a larger version where you can see the date (date picture taken) shown on the sign in the picture or actually get closer to the plants. I write the date first planted, the variety name and crop number on the side of each pot with a paint pen.
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Growing crop pictures like this one show the current level of growth for an individual numbered crop (growingcrop151.jpg). #151 is 'Bluecrop' Blueberry bushes (Vaccineum corymbosum). Email me for more information or call my cell phone at 518-526-9101.
I plan to grow all of the below. Watch for links.
#151 is 'Bluecrop' Blueberry bushes (Vaccineum corymbosum). Started a crop in 2010.
'Bluejay'
'Blueray'
Vaccinium 'Northblue' Zone 3, 2.5 feet x 3 feet
Vaccinium 'Northcountry' Zone 3, 2 feet x 3 feet
Vaccinium 'Northsky' Zone 3, 18 inches x 30 inches
#063? Vaccinium angustifolium 'Aiton' Lowbush Blueberry Zone 2, 2 feet x 2 feet, Native to Northeastern USA, New crop planned for 2011
CULTURAL INFORMATION
I purchase rooted cuttings of many varieties of Blueberry every year and pot them in a three gallon pot using a soiless potting mix (sometimes the mix will have a slow release fertilizer included but that will be depleted within 90 days). Root hardiness of plants is generally fourty degrees less hardy than stem hardiness but as most of these plants are hardy to zone 2, 3 or 4 and we are in zone 5 its usually not a factor. I fertilize each plant in spring with Espoma Holly Tone. On first year plants in three gallon pots that usually translates to a handful of each but as they get larger they need more. We fertilize again after flowering and mulch with compost (each plant is also equipped with a geodisc that sits on top of the mulch and prevents weeds (fertilizer and compost are slipped under the geodisc). Blueberry bushes are usually grown in the field for one season before being brought to the plant sale and sold in a three gallon pot for $10 each (even when they are at the plant sale we will continue to over-write the growingcrop picture above).
Many years ago Dr. Coville of the U.S. Department of Agriculture crossed chosen varieties of the wild Native American Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum. The resulting plants are extremely ornamental with their scarlet autumn color and their red twigs in winter. They also produce large quantities of suculent blueberries. All of these original crosses of native blueberries were named with the word blue in the name. The canes may grow 6 to 12 feet in length if left unpruned, the species is generally trouble free and hardy to around zone 3 (Wyman, 471). If berries are desired we usually keep them pruned to an upright shrub 4 feet by 4 feet.
These are not hybrids. When a native V corymbosum is crossed with a native V corymbosum the resulting plant is a native V corymbosum. All Dr Coville did was to remove those plants that didn't have large sized berries, scarlet autumn color and large crops of berries. Those left would have naturally crossed with their neighbors on their own. In the second generation by removing from the field again those that didn't have those qualities you wished over several generations you would be left with a number of native plants that are superior berry producers and those you'd name. Then you'd reproduce them from cuttings making them clones of the original named variety but their seeds will pass on these superior traits to your own native crop.
Shrubs and Vines for American Gardens by Donald Wyman, published by The Macmillan Company in London 1969. Library of Congress Catalog card #69-18249
We grow plants to sell at our plant sale. Read my notes on the zone hardiness numbers I use. Do we do mail order? Check my picture-newsletter Want to purchase? email me. In spring I do an inventory of plants that have survived the winter and are mature enough to be sold. I will group them together and show a picture of all together