- Blueberries need bright sunlight and acidic soils. The pH of the earth needs to be between 4.09 and 5.0. As with most plants, well-drained soil is crucial but blueberries also need plenty of water. Blueberries need to be fertilized in the spring and pruned at the same time for most species. Pruning is done to open the plant for air circulation, remove dead and broken wood and promote growth and branching. Good pruning practices can also increase flowering.
- Blueberry plants require outside help to pollinate the flowers. Many species of bees perform this process and there are even regionally specific blueberry bees. Honey bees are the most common pollen transfer organisms, but bumble bees and carpenter bees are also important parts of the process. The southeastern blueberry bee is a solitary bee that lives under ground, usually in fields populated by blueberry bushes. The insect produces only one generation per year and is not widespread.
- Good cultivation is only one part of cultivating a heavy crop of blueberries. The flowers of blueberries are perfect which means they have both male and female reproductive parts on each flower. Most blueberries are not self-pollinating and need the services of insects and an outside source of pollen. Blueberries can't be fertilized by their own pollen, but they do need pollen from a different variety. It is necessary to plant blueberries within 100 feet of each other so there is a ready supply of pollen for flying pollinators.
- Blueberry farmers bring in honey bees to assist with pollination, but home gardeners can ensure that bees have homes and plenty of food. Some bees are only present when blueberry flowers are blooming. Provide other blooms to extend the time they are in the area and encourage them to nest in your area. Pesticide use is discouraged as it can kill the pollinating population and threaten your blueberry crop. It is also useful to provide plenty of vegetation as cover for the insects that nest in the ground.
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