skip to main content

Container Gardening

Blueberries in containers?

9 years ago

Hi All,

What else do I need to know about container blueberries? I've read in several posts recommending modifying the 5-1-1 mix to more of a 5-2-1 or 4-2-1 type of mix for better water retention but I'm not sure what I need to do to get the mix to the right acidity. Do I add the lime or gypsum or should I leave them out? What else do I need to consider?

My wife gave me 2 blueberry bushes (Misty Early Season and Jubilee) today for fathers day this year and based on several local master gardeners, I should grow them in containers because our soil is so bad. Any advice would greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Chris

Featured Answer

pharmachad

9 years ago

Check out this awesome site. It has good info for beginners?
http://humgardens.com/fruit_orchard/blueberries/blueberry_planting.htm

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

charina
9 years ago
A pine and peat mix should start you off with an acceptable pH. Don't add lime. Gypsum, yes if your fertilizer plan does not otherwise include calcium.

If your soil is wrong for bbs, then your water might be as well. If that is the case, you may need to consider either adjusting you water pH, or incorporate sulfur (acid plant fertilizers include it, as does ammonium sulfate) in your amendments to counteract pH raising due to water.
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
9 years ago
Yep, agree, don't add any lime. I use a little controlled release fertilizer at the beginning of the season that has calcium in it, but I think I also probably used some gypsum too. I acidify my water with 5% white vinegar at the rate of 2-3 tablespoons per gallon, which brings the pH of the water to about 5 or so. There are some great threads over on the fruits forum on the use of ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer, which I also use on a regular basis.
Related Discussions
Blueberries in containers or in the ground?
Q
Comments (3)
Here in Madison, Wisconsin, where I live, our blueberry shrubs are all in the ground. We have a wide range of temperature, across the seasons, and I suspect that potted shrubs would be subjected to multiple freeze/thaw cycles, in the fall, during the winter, and possibly in the spring. I don't think this would be good for the health of the shrub. In the ground, at least the roots are kept on a more even temperature, since the ground temperature does not swing back and forth as much as the atmosphere. Also, the blueberry shrubs don't have to be watered as often. During drought conditions, typically August, I will water them twice a week if the drought is severe(the lawn is brown, not green).
...See More
Blueberries in containers - in the ground
Q
Comments (15)
Wow, those guys look so lush and green! Is Holly tone by Epsoma? Another question is chill hours. I have had a hard time finding what mine are, I live in 5a, SE Wisconsin. I went to getchill.net, and entered in the data, and the results were even more confusing. Like which model should I follow? Below 45 Model: 3995 chill hours Between 45 and 32 Model: 1514 chill hours Utah Model: 1438 chill units Positive Utah Model: 1612 chill units Dynamic Model: 100 chill portions The variety I saw at my garden center I liked was Peach Sorbet and Jelly Bean. I also was looking online at Top Hat and the Northblue dwarf. The Peach Sorbet chill hours say 300 or less. Does that mean I can't grow this variety? http://www.brazelberries.com/varieties/peach-sorbet
...See More
Planting my first blueberry soon(containers)
Q
Comments (8)
Ok well then I will add some vinegar to the water before watering it. Btw what soil pH tester do you guys use? I bought one from lowes for 10$ and tried it today and it was crap. The pH showed 6 or 7 for every soil I tested on. That is, the 5-2-1 mix that I just made today, my conifer pots in 5-1-1 mix, and regular ground soil.
...See More
Growing blueberries in containers on a budget?
Q
Comments (14)
Drainage is the key since they will have winter snow and ice on them. Lots of holes in bottom and sides of container for air flow. My blues love it with a piece of Better Than Rocks in bottom, the Burgundy grew 3x size in one season. Its filled the barrel almost 3ft across (going to be propagated for additional plantings this year). I think thats why Carmine is gone. I thought I would "decorate" and transferred from proper container to ceramic large planter and not only altered the freeze/thaw cycles but drainage and air. I went a little intricate with my mix but not expensive since I had to pot 3 blues, 1 cherry and a cranberry. The Dr Earth Acid lovers mix isnt available here anymore, it was my base to help me with ph concerns since I was a noob, plus lots of added peat, perlite, turface, grit and crushed pine bark and made it really loose. Started in April with the "pre-fab" blues etc., the Carmine cherry was a whip that looked like a short brown straw. I had blueberries picking that July then transplant and fruit next year no problem while the cherry got girth as well as height. Success made me add more stuff. The Romeo got the best mix formula and was bigger than Carmine in a year even though younger. Each year I add a little soil acidifier and couple of tablespoons berry ferts or a little compost they have all gotten better. Most cherries I've picked so far was worm year with 3 & 4yr old trees got almost 3qts from Romeo & Carmine that birds didnt get, but wasted as I pitted for pie and saw them infested. I never did find out what they were but It made me invest in organza bags and netting. I lost a lot of flowers this year with 80F in Feb then snow in March and constant wind storms. But since now only 1 tree gave a over a qt of the darkest, sweetest yet, I'll just make sure to provide wind break next year and net sooner.
...See More
warpiper
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi charina and edweather,

Thank you both for your advice, I greatly appreciate it. I'll leave the lime out and get some gypsum to add to the soil. I don't have any fertilizer for them yet and I'm not sure what to use. What type/brand would you recommend? The water in Charleston is on the soft water side and the pH runs around 8.3 according to the water department's website. I'll start adding vinigar to my water for them and I'll check out the fruit forum.

Oh, one other question. I want to put them in bigger pots but they both have blueberries on them. Should I wait until the blueberries are gone before I re pot them?

Thanks again for you help, I appreciate it.

Chris
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
9 years ago
In the spring I use a little Miracle Gro Shake and Feed. I think most would suggest potting them up when they are dormant. I've potted mine up a couple of times and both times they weren't quite dormant with good results. Once was in the fall when they were slowing growth, and once in the spring when they were starting growth.
warpiper
Original Author
9 years ago
Cool beans, thanks edweather, I appreciate it. I'll get some MG and wait until they go dormant before it re pot them. :)

Chris
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
9 years ago
Sounds good. Definitely check out the threads on the fruits forum about the ammonium nitrate. The controlled release fertilizer is more of a long term cya application for me. The weekly feedings of the ammonium nitrate is what really forces the growth now.
charina
9 years ago
Not ammonium nitrate, but ammonium sulfate which Ed had correctly identified initially above. Don't use nitrates as the nitrogen source for bbs. They are not adapted to be able to metabolize it.
warpiper
Original Author
9 years ago
Cool beans. Thanks again edweather and charina, I appreciate it. I'll spend some time reading up on fertilizer and when to use them. I like the CYA aspect of it. :)

Chris

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crop: How to Grow Blueberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant blueberries in spring or fall for garden beauty through three seasons — and a sweet superfood in summer

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Container Gardens That Mix Edible and Ornamental Plants

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Fruits, flowers, herbs and vegetables come together in potted combinations that are as pretty as they are productive

DECORATING GUIDES Deck Your Containers With Holiday Cheer in Half an Hour

Have 30 minutes and some seasonal greenery? You can put together festive garden pots to last through winter

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: Show Us Your Summer Container Gardens

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your summer flowers, succulents and edible plants. You might see your photo in a Houzz story

GARDENING 101 How to Choose the Right Plant Container

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Keep plants healthy and container gardens looking good by beginning with the right pot size and shape

CONTAINER GARDENS Patio-Perfect Berry Bushes Like You’ve Never Seen

Small enough for pots but offering abundant fruit, these remarkable bred berries are a boon for gardeners short on space

GARDENING GUIDES How to Install a Drip Irrigation System

By Marianne Lipanovich

Save time and water with a drip watering system in your vegetable garden — a little patience now will pay off later

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 12 Ways to Fill Your Built-In Planter

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Use these planting ideas for in-deck planters and built-in containers to match any style of garden and sun exposure

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading Kitchen & Bath Remodelers in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Are container gardening anaerobic soil considerations applicable here?

1

Yellow leaves: to remove or not?

5

Combine 5-1-1 And Gritty Mix?

3

How to prune dracaena

0

Water plants exposed to the sun

1