Propagation of Blueberries

[MadTripper]

I have done some searching and wondered if anyone has propagated blueberry bushes. I have a few started, well hopefully. I basically cut some new growth to about 6 inches, took all the leaf sets off except 1, and placed them in water. These are from my Grams farm and since it is now sold and changing hands at the end of May, I figured I better get what I can.

Any thoughts?

Tripper

[Deberosa]

I have The Complete Book of Plant Propogation
by Jim Arbury, et. al.

Blueberries are not called out individually in this "complete" book! However they did lump it in with grapes and hybrid berries.

They suggest the "softwood cutting" method which is good news because you could do that this time of year. Hardwood cuttings are taken in the fall.

So:
Take a 4-6 inch cutting of the current seasons growth in midsummer.

Leave the top three or four leave - trimming off the rest.

Immerse them in a fungicidal solution

Dip the base in Hormone rooting powder

Insert into a mixture of equal parts sand and peat in a 3 inch pot. Root in a closed propogator at 64-68 degrees out of direct sunlight. (like putting a plastic bag around the pot with the cutting)

Check for fungal infection and remove bad cuttings. They should root in 4-6 weeks.


I know for wild blueberries, they are very difficult to propogate, especially since you are not getting the cuttings at the perfect time of midsummer. I would suggest doing up lots of cuttings in hopes that a few take.

Hope that helps.

Debbie

[sbemt456]

I have heard a few old timers here in Eastern Kentucky say you can take some willow switches and bruise them and put them in water with rocks and they will root,lol. I think the idea is that the willow will release some sort of rooting hormone into the water and help other cuttings take root. I know for a fact that you can break a branch off a willow tree and stick the end in the ground and it will grow. So what have ya got to lose.
Let me know how that turns out, I will need to know that in a few years when my blueberry bushes get big enough to spare some limbs.

stella

[MadTripper]

I took some small branches and put them in water with a little liquid fertilizer and then some larger (12" +) and have them in water also. I guess its a waiting game now.


Tripper

[Faye]

I have several blueberry bushes and they spread by the roots. I have 3 or 4 new bushes already that are almost a foot high.

[cubcadet]

Willow "withies" are very good for propegating various cuttings. They do contain hormone compound. An old gardener told me that, so you have a second witness to that. On top of it all, you`ll have new willow to plant out!

[ASG]

With wild blueberries, just plant/grow from the berries. You won't get a 100% success rate with them but you should get good results. The biggest thing with blueberries of course is how picky they are about soil/location...