In the northern region (north of the Yellow River), the blueberry planting season is from March to April in spring. In the southern mountainous areas, the blueberry planting season is from September to December in autumn and from February to February the following year. March is appropriate. When planting in spring, the seedlings need to go through a slow seedling period. When planting in autumn, the root system of the seedlings will speed up recovery. They can grow rapidly the following spring and bear fruit in about 12 months. When planting blueberries, potted container seedlings can be used as planting objects. The survival rate of one-year bare-root seedlings is usually about 60-70%, while the survival rate of transplanted seedlings with potting soil is close to 100%.
1. When to plant blueberries
1. Planting season
(1) The planting season of blueberries varies from place to place. If it is in the northern region (below the Yellow River) North), the suitable time for planting is March-April in spring. If planted in southern mountainous areas, the suitable season is September-December in autumn and February-March of the following year.
(2) If planted in spring, the seedlings need to go through a certain slow seedling period. If planted in autumn, it will help speed up the recovery of the seedling root system. The plants can grow quickly in the following spring, and then after It will bear fruit in about 1 year.
2. Precautions
(1) Try to purchase potted container seedlings, which will help improve the survival rate. Under normal circumstances, 1-year-old bare seedlings The survival rate of root seedlings is about 60-70%, while transplanting with potting soil can bring the survival rate close to 100% (the cultivation costs of the two seedlings are different, and the prices will vary).
(2) Different provinces and cities have different climates, so it is necessary to choose varieties suitable for local planting and understand their adaptability. Do not buy blindly. It is recommended to buy varieties that have been cultivated and successfully tested as Planting objects.
(3) In the northern region, you can purchase seedlings that have been successfully cultivated locally, and in the southern region, you can purchase seedlings that have been successfully introduced and cultivated locally to avoid problems caused by the selected varieties being unable to adapt to the local environment. Planting failed.
2. Blueberry planting method
1. Land preparation and fertilization
(1) Use a place with a slope of no more than 10° as planting Then apply decomposed cow dung and peat soil at an application rate of 7-10 cubic meters/acre and 20 cubic meters/acre respectively.
(2) Plow the land deeply about 30 cm to ensure that the soil and fertilizer are fully mixed.
(3) Clean up the debris in the planting area, such as hardwood blocks, stones, grass roots, etc., then level the soil and dig drainage ditches.
2. Planting time
(1) For areas with relatively dry conditions in autumn and winter, the planting time is before the rainy season; for areas with a certain amount of rainfall in autumn and winter In certain areas, planting can be done from autumn to early spring before germination.
(2) If the irrigation conditions in the planting area are good, planting can be done in all seasons.
3. Digging holes for planting
(1) Dig planting holes. The suitable size is 0.5 meters to 0.5 meters. Dig them and mix them into the garden soil. Organic matter is then filled back into the hole.
(2) If the planting variety is low-bush blueberry, the suitable plant-row spacing is 0.5 to 1 meter; if the planting variety is semi-high-bush blueberry, the suitable plant-row spacing is 1 to 2 meters; For blueberry bushes, the suitable distance between rows is 0.6-1.5 meters to 2-2.5 meters.
(3) Suitable transplanting objects are strong seedlings that are 2-3 years old. Take them out of the nutrient pot before planting. If the pot is full of the roots of the seedlings, the soil above should be lightened. Lightly crush it before planting, otherwise it can be planted directly.
(4) The planting depth should cover the original seedling soil by 3 cm. After planting, the soil should be filled and compacted, and finally watered thoroughly.
4. Arrange pollination trees
(1) If the planting variety is lowbush blueberry, then a single variety can be used in the entire orchard; For high-bush blueberries, pollination trees should be installed in the garden to increase fruit setting rate, single fruit weight and fruit yield.
(2) The ratio of pollinating trees is 1:1 (main planting varieties and pollinating varieties are planted in equal amounts every 1-2 rows) or 2:1 (after planting the main planting varieties, every other 2 rows and then 1 row of pollinating trees are planted).
5. Scientific management
(1) Water and fertilizer management
① Use acidic water for irrigation, every 3- Irrigate once every 5 days, during which nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are mainly applied, with a fertilizer ratio of 1:1:1.
② It is prohibited to apply chlorine-containing fertilizers (such as ammonium chloride) and nitrate nitrogen fertilizers.
(2) Timely pruning
①Small trees: Cultivate tree vigor, appropriately remove flower buds and thin out weak branches to reduce nutrient consumption. Topping is done when the new shoots reach 40 cm in length.
② Fruiting trees: The leggy branches and budding branches should be pinched when the length reaches 40 centimeters. For fruiting trees that are 3-4 years old, the lower weak branches and crowded branches in the middle of the crown should be removed. The growth time should be 5 years. Plants with the above growth but average growth can be pruned from the base of the main branches, or the intensity of pruning can be determined according to the variety.
(3) Pest control
① For branch pests such as heartworms and beetles, cotton wool can be used to block the bore holes and kill the larvae. .
② For leaf pests such as silkworm moths, poisonous moths, and thorn moths, lights can be used to trap and kill the adults at night.
③For pests such as chafer adults and fruit flies, sweet and sour liquid can be used to trap and kill them during control. The key control period is from mid-to-late April to mid-August.
④ If planted in a forest area, avoid birds from pecking blueberries.
6. Picking
(1) June to August is the ripening period of blueberries. When the surface of the fruit turns blue-black, it means it is mature.
(2) Ripe blueberries can be harvested in batches, blueberries for fresh consumption must be harvested manually, and blueberries for processing can be harvested mechanically.
(3) Harvest can be done every 2-3 days during the peak fruiting period, and can be harvested every 3-4 days during the initial and final fruiting periods. The best time to harvest is in the evening. If there is rain, high temperature, or there is moisture on the surface of the fruit, it is not suitable to harvest.