Establishing Blueberry Plantings Western Washington Horticultural Association January 5, 2005

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Establishing Blueberry PlantingsWestern
Washington Horticultural Association January 5,
2005

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Establishing Blueberry Plantings

• Market outlook
• Site selection
• Soil testing
• Irrigation
• Plant Sources
• Planting

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US Blueberry Hectares(Strik, 2005)
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USHBC Promotions
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Supply
Demand
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Establishing Blueberry Plantings

• Market outlook
• Site selection
• Soil testing
• Irrigation
• Plant Sources
• Planting

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Site Selection

• Blossoms are susceptible to frost damage, so
  avoid low pockets.
• Blossoms damaged by temps 28 F or lower. Possibly
  even more sensitive immediately after petal fall.
• Bloom time in W. WA generally late April-May

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Site Selection contd.

• Well-drained soil.
• Organic matter makes growing easier, but isnt
  absolutely essential.

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Establishing Blueberry Plantings

• Market outlook
• Site selection
• Soil testing
• Irrigation
• Plant Sources
• Planting

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Soil testing pH

• Target pH 4.5-5.2. High pH will cause interveinal
  clorosis.
• You can lower soil pH with elemental Sulfur
  powders or granules
• The finer the grind, the faster the action
• It can take a long time for S to act best to
  apply 6 months before the planting season.
• Some areas have high pH water (uncommon in
  western WA) in this case, irrigation water
  should be pH-adjusted with sulfuric or N-furic
  acid.

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Soil testing pH
Amount of elemental S needed to lower soil pH to
4.5
http//berrygrape.oregonstate.edu/fruitgrowing/be
rrycrops/blueberry/nutri.htm
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Soil testing nematodes

• Test for Nematodes at the same time you take soil
  test samples
• The sampling procedure for nematodes is
  different, though you have to sample deeper.
  Test for root-lesion (Pratylenchus) and dagger
  (Xiphinema) nematodes
• High populations mean you will need to
• Fumigate
• Solarize (maybe)
• Or plant somewhere else

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Soil testing other nutrients

• Your soil test will give you valuable information
  on correcting nutrient deficiencies before
  planting.
• You can find a list of labs performing soil tests
  at http//wsprs.wsu.edu/AnalyticalLabsEB1578E.pdf

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Establishing Blueberry Plantings

• Market outlook
• Site selection
• Soil testing
• Irrigation
• Plant Sources
• Planting

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Irrigation requirement

• In Mount Vernon, the peak irrigation requirement
  for blueberries is 1.5 of water per week.
• Because of system inefficiencies, this means you
  will have to apply more
• Drip systems, up to 90 efficiency. Apply up to
  1.7 inches per week
• Big gun systems, about 50 efficiency. Apply up
  to 3 inches per week
• See http//biosys.bre.orst.edu/bre/docs/blueberr.
  pdf

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Establishing Blueberry Plantings

• Market outlook
• Site selection
• Soil testing
• Irrigation
• Plant Sources
• Planting

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Plant Sources

• Size matters
• Blueberry shock and blueberry scorch viruses can
  be brought in on planting stock. To avoid this
  calamity
• Buy only from a reputable nursery
• Ask about the virus-testing status of your plants

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Plant Sources contd

• State quarantines for Blueberry Scorch virus
• Washington quarantine WAC 16-489
• Oregon control area ORS 570.405
• These state quarantines do not apply to plants
  from other countries, states dont have the
  authority to do that.

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Plant Sources contd

• If you do import plants remember the reason for
  the quarantines
• Dont go down in history as the bum who brought
  us Scorch!

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Establishing Blueberry Plantings

• Market outlook
• Site selection
• Soil testing
• Irrigation
• Plant Sources
• Planting

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Incorporating sawdust or other mulch boosts
organic matter.

• A layer of mulch over the top acts as a buffer
  for moisture and temperature

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Planting

• When to plant
• Containerized plants late fall or early spring
• Bare-root plants when dormant
• How to plant
• Prepare a loose seedbed consider hills
• Beware of planting too deep!

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Planting Depth

• Bare-root plants should be at same depth as in
  nursery
• Top of potting mix for containerized plants
  should be slightly under soil level (lt1/2). OK
  to cover deeper with mulch.

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N fertilization first year

• The plants need 10-15 lb N/A
• Apply 50 more if sawdust mulch is used
• Split into three applications May, June, July
• Follow each application with rain or irrigation
• When in doubt, under-fertilize small plants

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N fertilization following years

• As plants develop, they need more Nitrogen
• Apply 50 more if sawdust mulch is used
• Split into two applications early April and
  early June
• Follow each application with rain or irrigation
• Plants 8 years old or more need 80-155 lb/A (but
  thats another talk)

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Thank You!