Cinnamon Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I bought a really cheap Blueberry bush from Wollies last week. Apparantly its dormant at the moment (it says 'shhhhh,sleeping plant on it') but I want to know what sort of compost it will need when I pot it on in a couple of months? I seem to remember that they need something special I also got a Kiwi & a thornless Blackerry, all cheap as anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 They need ericaceous compost Sarah, then they do really went. Most garden centres sell small bags of it. Same goes for black and red currants. The blue berry leaves turn a lovely red in autumn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Blueberries need an acid soil so you'll need ericaceous compost. We've had a blueberry plant for a couple of years and get a nice crop of berries from it. It's in a big pot. Be sure to keep it out of the reach of the chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 and wild birds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 we had 2 blueberries but they both died the summer before last, if you are keeping it in a pot make sure it gets enough water preferably rain water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 They need ericaceous compost Sarah Oh, OK, thats what I thought,but I couldn't remember the name I have a gorgeous colbalt blue pot somewhere in the garden it can go in - should look great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Good tip from Liz about rain water, it is slightly more acidic than tap water, so better for your blueberry bush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Rain water in the Uk....shouldn't be a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I wouldn't have thought so Apparantly I live in one of the driest parts of the country according to RHS "Essex is situated in one of the driest areas of the United Kingdom ". As I'm in walking distance of Hyde Hall I guess my heavy rainfall times must hit them too!!! I planted my blueberry in regular multi purpose compost then read 2 days later it should be in eracacious - as I had a bag left over from planting magnolias I dug him up and replanted him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 They need ericaceous compost Sarah, then they do really went. Most garden centres sell small bags of it. Same goes for black and red currants. The blue berry leaves turn a lovely red in autumn Black and redcurrants all thrive up my allotment - and not in ericaceous soil. In fact in all my xxxxx years I have never planted the currants in ericaceous soil - only blueberries - which is a MUST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 When I was a child in the peak district, we used to walk up the lane by the house to the top of the moors and pick wild growing winberries (blueberries). The heath used to be covered in them in summer so we would just lie in the sun eating berrys Just had to be careful we didn't pick up a rabbit current by mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Just had to be careful we didn't pick up a rabbit current by mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Just had to be careful we didn't pick up a rabbit current by mistake A rabbit currant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 So what do you do if you want to plant them in the garden? Does chicken poo make soil acid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I had my blueberry in a pot with ericaceous soil for years and it didn't do very well. Planted it in a deep hole in the garden, filled with the same soil. It's growing like mad and producing loads of fruit. I think chicken poo is slightly acidic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 If anyone needs cheap ericaceous soil, it is £1.49 in Wilkinsons for a 15 litre bag. The 20 litre bag is £2.99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 my chickens nearly stripped the leaves bare before I caught them at it so you will need to keep your girls away from it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DominicJ Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 So, when people say they have to be in special compost, you mean, they can be if you like? Because I just planted 7 various fruit bushes in normal compost, it was even peat based Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 blueberries grow naturally high in the mountains and so really need a different ph to their soil, they simply will not thrive otherwise and crops will be poor. other fruit bushes tend not to be so fussy and brambles etc will grow anywhere at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzie Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 So what do you do if you want to plant them in the garden? Does chicken poo make soil acid? Yes chicken poo is great for berries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 You may or may not get fruit this year - I bought 3 year old bushes from the Dorset Blueberry Company, and they were only ready to fruit in their 3rd year. I have an 'early' blueberry and a 'middle season' blueberry, both are potted in ericaceous compost, although I think really (as they are now coming into their 6th year) it's time to plant them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I also meant to say, that unless your bush is a self-fertile variety, you will need another one for cross-pollination or you won't get any fruit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 Doesn't matter for me - mine got left in the greenhouse & died Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Doesn't matter for me - mine got left in the greenhouse & died Ahh what a shame You seemed so excited about it and everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 I plame the bad weather we had. When its raining outside I tend to forget that things inside still need watering I will get a couple more at some stage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...