How to prune blueberries. Also during the first 2 years, cut away any buds, as the bush needs to focus on growing, not producing. Highbush blueberry, a native of North America, grows six to 12 feet tall and is the major blueberry-producing species in commerce. 2 . I had it in my attic over the winter, it is now July and it has no leaves and has not grown. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Remove any dead or damaged branches. Remove all but two or three of the previous year's new canes, and prune back plant tips. Each flower bud may produce a cluster of five to eight berries. Each year, remove one or two of the oldest canes all the way back to the ground. Prune all branches back by about 30%–40% to encourage vigorous new growth. When pruning blueberries, you’ll want to allow light to penetrate the center of the plant. Can I bring it back? Beyond the initial challenge of establishing a new planting, there are really few pests that attack blueberry bushes. The following is a discussion of pruning practices on southern highbush blueberry in Florida. Blueberries should be pruned during the winter while the bushes are dormant. Improper pruning can eliminate berries and limit future harvests. Flower buds are produced on the end of a shoot's growth. The first step to pruning your blueberry bushes is to go through your bush and find small branches that intersect or cross over one another. ", http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=227, https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/vegetables/small_fruits/hgic1401.html, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=85, https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_05v1qew6, http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/prune-blueberries-yearly-more-fruit, http://www.nbh.psla.umd.edu/guides/appendix3.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Blueberries grow on the side-shoots, off of the main branches of the bushes. Remove the blueberry plant from the original pot you purchased it in within two weeks from purchase. fertilizing. From four years on, remove unproductive stems to stimulate new growth. Pruning an Older Blueberry Bush. I know. Jolene Hansen is a lifelong gardening enthusiast and former horticulture professional. I bought a blueberry bush. By doing so, you're allow the bush to focus its resources on canes growing straight up, which will be stronger and help you create a better-shaped bush. If it is winter, and the bushes are still dormant, you can prune now. Your first pruning comes at planting time. With dormant pruning, canes are seen clearly and large flower buds stand out on one-year wood. If possible, resist the urge to let the bush bear fruit. Young plants require little pruning for the first two to three years. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,587 times. You also prune to keep the bush under control, as you don't want it to be too tall. Blueberries require constant renewal growth of vigorous, 1-year-old wood to sustainably produce good berries year-to-year. To get the most from your bushes, it's really important to give them a prune each year - do it in February or March, before the plant gets busy growing. Avoid pruning after your harvest in summer and fall. Training young blueberry bushes by pruning them regularly during the first two years promotes proper structure of the plant, which in turn supports maximum production of fruit. References It will also keep the fruit off the ground. Finer, more detailed pruning such as thinning of flower buds on individual fruiting twigs requires smaller, one-hand pruners. Remove crossed branches. Knowing when and how to prune helps establish your blueberries to bear abundant, quality fruit for many years. In winter, flower buds are easily visible on one-year-old wood and their numbers can be adjusted by pruning to regulate the crop load for the coming year. Annual pruning increases fruit size and quality. Remove dead or dying parts of branches and less vigorous, spindly growth around the base of plants to encourage vigorous upright growth. You should not have any canes that are older than six years old. I was going to cut out everything that had turned silver. With a little effort, these "wonder berries" can be produced by home gardeners throughout Georgia. Most blueberry bushes grown in home landscapes are upright, multi-stemmed deciduous bushes. All cultivated species require annual pruning to manage bush height. You want the bush to have a narrow base and a wide, open top that allows sunlight and air in. Blueberries do not need to be pruned in the first year. If I aggressively prune, expecting minimal fruit, will it survive? Growing blueberries in the home garden can be quite enjoyable. Fruit is borne on one-year wood. For trimming blueberry bushes, you should remove any lower growth to prevent fruits from settling on the ground. Knowing the Basics of Blueberry Growth and Pruning Young Bushes, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Prune-Blueberries-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blueberries-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Prune-Blueberries-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1397561-v4-728px-Prune-Blueberries-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"