Blueberry time in Nova Scotia

[rja50]

I would appreciate any information about growing Blueberry plants outdoors. I purchased my seeds from Joey's Seeds. I only had 4 germinate out of 8. I think it was my fault as my temps were a little coolm at times. Of the four I managed to get three on the way 2 are in gallon containers and one is out in the field. The ones in containers are about 14 inches high and the one in the garden is about 9 inches high. The container plants have been outside for about a month. The insects love them. I have been noticing minor ammounts of leaf damage on a regular basis which is to be expected. I put slug bait around from time to time to keep our slimy friends away. I have been using 20-20 20 as my ferts every few days. I have used this with great success on bag seed weed over the years. (Ihave been doing this off and on for about 30 years) I will post some pictures when I get my camera back if you need to see my girls( I hope) Any help would be appreciated

[Z E D]

hi rja50, blueberry's a nice choice, havent tried it yet myself ,but it's on the list..
got youre camara back yet bro.. some pics,,good luck with youre project..

Z..

[Muddy Waters]

First off, welcome to CHQ.  I grow outdoors and have learned a couple things that might be helpful.  Seems mites just love outdoor plants.  Insecticidal soap seems to work pretty good on them.  I've also had problems with cut worms.  When I plant I mix some triazicide into the soil and then treat them topically with a product called Green Spot from Gardens Alive.  Works well on all types of caterpillars.  You also might want to switch to a fertilizer that is higher in nitrogen than it is in phosphorus and potassium, like a 8-4-4.  Plants in vegetative growth like more nitrogen.  When they start to flower, then use something like a 4-8-4.  More phosphorus for the buds.  I've had plants in my garden that have gotten 6' tall and produced up to 3 lbs.  Never blueberry though.  I understand it can be a little harder to grow than some other strains. 

[Slo-Burn]

Nova Scotia  what a lovely place .  went there in the winter time , on the way to Moncton NB  , it was -20!!  like a deep freeze  but then returned in summer to lovely weather

But not having a big enough time window to grow there isnt a issue ?

[Northern Dude]

I've got a few Blueberry out right now and I don't do anything special with them....20-20-20 till around the first week of Aug and then I use 10-60-10 bloom from Walmart...if you are near the plants all the time then check them for bugs and slugs but if you have a grow away from you...hit them with slug bait, some kind of insecticide early in the season and hope for the best...my train of thought is one for the rippers, one for the cops and one for me...plant plenty...another thing to do is spray your plants with aspirin water...mix one tablet with one gallon of water...prevents mold in the fall...check out this link..

 http://www.bluestem.ca/willow-article1.htm

stay safe...

ND

[Muddy Waters]

I've got a few Blueberry out right now and I don't do anything special with them....20-20-20 till around the first week of Aug and then I use 10-60-10 bloom from Walmart...if you are near the plants all the time then check them for bugs and slugs but if you have a grow away from you...hit them with slug bait, some kind of insecticide early in the season and hope for the best...my train of thought is one for the rippers, one for the cops and one for me...plant plenty...another thing to do is spray your plants with aspirin water...mix one tablet with one gallon of water...prevents mold in the fall...check out this link..

 http://www.bluestem.ca/willow-article1.htm

stay safe...

ND

Interesting info on the Willow water, thanks ND.  Problem is around here willow trees are few and far between.  They aren't native and unless someone plants them it's hard to find them.

Every year before this one I've lost at least 1 plant to cut worms.  Mixing triazicide into the soil and then sprinkling some around the plant seems to have worked well this year for both myself and a friend.  He didn't loose any either.  Even though I'm growing remote I still get to check on them weekly.  So I've been applying deer/rabbit repellent at regular intervals and keeping an eye out for mites and other little beasties.  I've had more problems with the low ryders I have close by that I check daily.  Mites got two plants bad before I realized what was happening and a cut worm didn't cut the plant off but are a whole punch of bud.  I've got the plants in pots so I'm going to treat the ground around the pots with some triazicide so it will kill them before they get to the plants.  That way I won't have to treat the plants themselves.  I've had good luck with the Green Spot to kill the caterpillar and insecticidal soap for the mites.  I get both from Gardens Alive.  All their products are natural and can be applied right up to harvest.