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Blueberries are deciduous shrubs that can grow to a height of up to 5 feet tall. They are often cultivated for their fruits, flowers, and foliage. Studies on blueberries even suggest that they help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of some cancers. For these reasons, blueberry growers put a lot of effort in caring for them. One important process in growing blueberries is pruning. Blueberry plant pruning is done to rid the plant of unhealthy areas, increase the quality of produces, keep it healthy and full of vigor, and stimulate new growth.
Blueberry plant pruning is a practice that should be done annually and should be started on the plant’s first year. Young blueberry bushes should be pruned at planting time in order to encourage new growth and promote survival. This is done by removing a quarter to a third of the young bush. During the first three years after planting, only little blueberry plant pruning should be done, just to remove weak and twiggy shoots and concentrate on a smaller and stouter growth. During maturity, blueberry plant pruning is done to maximize the quantity and quality of fruit yields and maintain the plant’s desired size. This is done after the fourth year and is started be removing canes that have small fruit-bearing twigs. These canes are cut at ground level to stimulate the growth of younger and stronger canes and bring more sunlight to the bush, which helps in setting fruit buds.
Blueberry plant pruning is also dependent on the type of blueberries you are growing. Lowbush blueberries only reach up to 18 inches in height and bear fruit once every two years. A common variety is the Wild Blueberries. Lowbush blueberry plant pruning is done by mowing them to the ground after harvest. This is done to form fewer branches that will allow fruits to be raked and easily gathered during harvest.
Highbush blueberries are the more common type. These are the ones that reach a height of 5 feet and whose fruits we usually see in groceries and use for desserts. Highbush blueberry plant pruning is done by cutting weaker stems, giving the more vigorous ones better room to be productive. This also prevents them from producing too much fruit that are usually smaller and of poorer quality. Highbush Blueberry plant pruning is also done to promote growth, which can be achieved by snipping older stems which are over one inch in diameter and by removing cramped areas from the center to keep it open to sunlight. Older stems should be pruned at ground level and tips of younger canes should be lopped off to keep them between 8 to 10 inches in length.
Generally, the best time for blueberry plant pruning is between late winter and early spring just before new growth starts. Blueberry plant pruning at this time allows you to assess the plant’s condition which will let you know the type of pruning it needs.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about pruning and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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