Blueberry bushes

[tastyveggies]

Hi, sorry im putting this here but for some reason it wont let me post in general digging

I purchased 2 blueberry bushes today, and on the tag it says they like acidic soil. I was going to put them in large pots, what is the best way to make the soil acidic?

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by tastyveggies

Hi, sorry im putting this here but for some reason it wont let me post in general digging

I purchased 2 blueberry bushes today, and on the tag it says they like acidic soil. I was going to put them in large pots, what is the best way to make the soil acidic?

Short term vinegar. Long term ammonium sulphate sold in most garden centres. To be accurate you might use a pH meter or for a small area litmus paper is sufficient.

I have six bushes and mulch with evergreen wood chips to keep the pH around The proper blueberry pH soil level of between 4 and 5.5. Fruit production is enhanced with a proper pH.


http://www.durgan.org/URL/?OAYTJ 10 April 2011 Blueberry Planted. Bluecrop and Patriot.

Six mature blueberry bushes were planted. Three Blue crop and three Patriot. A farmer was selling plants ($10.00) about 40 km from my location, so I went out and dug them up. The farmer had about 5 acres, replacing tobacco, but he found that the birds (robins) caused so much damage that the fields were not profitable. I expected some small bushes and was amazed at the size, which pleased me greatly.

The spacing is about three feet between plants. Some pruning is required, which will be completed later. Some aluminium sulphate was added to get a low pH 4 to 5. Eventually a pH meter will be obtained to confirm the pH.

[idigbeets]

Sulfur, sphagnum peat moss will both acidify the soil. You will want to ph test it. It will take up to 6 months to alter soil chemistry.

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by idigbeets

Sulfur, sphagnum peat moss will both acidify the soil. You will want to ph test it. It will take up to 6 months to alter soil chemistry.

Sphagnum peat moss is not very acidic besides being almost useless otherwise. A quick fix for acidity is vinegar and the action is immediate, but probably not long term. Yes, ammonium sulphate is slow acting but it has all Winter to work its magic. No doubt pH can become a major issue on large commercial crops, but to even be concerned in a small backyard garden is doting. You takes what you gets.

[RozieDozie]

Originally Posted by tastyveggies

Hi, sorry im putting this here but for some reason it wont let me post in general digging

I purchased 2 blueberry bushes today, and on the tag it says they like acidic soil. I was going to put them in large pots, what is the best way to make the soil acidic?

I agree with Beets about the sphagnum peat moss, especially if you're using a large pot. You can use a mostly peat moss potting mix (or make your own), or even use a soiless peat mix. I grew blueberries in pots in containers for years and it's fun and 'fruitful'.

[nordicnacho]

this will show u how

http://www.groworganic.com/organic-g...-in-containers

[Celestyal]

Personally, I have two blueberry bushes on my deck in 1/2 wine barrel. The soil is 1/2 potting soil, 1/2 compost, with coffee grounds that I got free mixed in. I top off the soil every year with a thick layer of compost and coffee grounds. Delicious berries and very healthy plants. I like to keep things simple.

[TastyofHasty]

Since you're in Massachusetts, you may already have reasonably acid soil ...

Check out this link, "Atlas of the Biosphere," "Soil pH" "North America" ... you'll have to click on "North America" under "download images" to bring it up:
http://www.sage.wisc.edu/atlas/maps....s=1&dataset=20

[idigbeets]

Originally Posted by Durgan

Sphagnum peat moss is not very acidic besides being almost useless otherwise. A quick fix for acidity is vinegar and the action is immediate, but probably not long term. Yes, ammonium sulphate is slow acting but it has all Winter to work its magic. No doubt pH can become a major issue on large commercial crops, but to even be concerned in a small backyard garden is doting. You takes what you gets.

If planting in ground or containers..the peat moss provides drainage which is something they will require. Vinegar is a quick fix and will not last in the soil due to quick leaching as blueberries require regular waterings. It's best to properly prepare the soil over a few months than rush in.

And you better check your facts on sphagnum peat.... it *IS* acidic.

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by idigbeets

If planting in ground or containers..the peat moss provides drainage which is something they will require. Vinegar is a quick fix and will not last in the soil due to quick leaching as blueberries require regular waterings. It's best to properly prepare the soil over a few months than rush in.

And you better check your facts on sphagnum peat.... it *IS* acidic.

Peat moss is now processed in a slurry and is almost powder-like and is so fine that it is useless. I don't use it any more. It won't suck up water and is almost like plastic pieces. Relying on it to lower pH is simply erroneous. The selling companies and producers simply avoid mentioning pH. They spend all their time and money trying to convince people that peat moss is a renewable resource.

When making my potting soil I now use coconut fibre. The old style peat moss use to be chunky and had some merit as a soil conditioner, but the new stuff 10 years or more is junk. But be my guest.