How to Grow a Blueberry Bush

[lazy gardener]

I've had 2 humane society dogs with wonderful results. The first was a black lab. Everybody knows what they are like. My son cut his teeth on her tail, and used her for a mobile support system when he was learning to walk. The second was a Terrier mix, definitely more of a gamble regarding possible behavior issues. she was returned at the age of 4.5 months because of "allergies". Yeah right! Her info tag said she was house broke. Yeah right! It was obvious that she was not house broke, she had never experienced stairs, and her behavior also told me that she had been abused by children and a large man. But, with work and love, she turned into a wonderful pooch who was loved by everybody who met her. She was extremely smart, considered it her job to "herd" the kids, keep babies from crying, mother baby kittens,and keep tabs on everybody. She played hide and seek, taking turns (hiding and seeking) with the 2 legged participants. Personally, if i was getting an other dog, I'd definitely look for an other pound pup. IMO, most dogs have behavior issues because their people don't know how to train a dog, or don't give it enough attention. I've seen plenty of "pure breds" with health issues and behavior problems. Dogs are like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get! But, if you spend some time with the dog, observing (from a distance) it with other dogs, and then getting more personal with it, you're apt to make an informed decision.

 

[chickadoodles]

I understand.

 

[Arielle]

THanks chickerdoodles-- I feel for all the dogs iwthout homes-- I would take them all home if I could-- I stay away from rescue facilites for a reason. THe only one that I actually met dogs at was while I was in seattle many years ago and I knew I could not fit a dog on the plane with me. lol Sto;; made me feel horribly sad to see these unwanted dogs . . .

THe benefit of picking less well known breeds is that they are less messed up genetically. I have no problem with a mutt. One of my favorite dogs as a kid was the plumbers dog SUzie: a black lab x beagle mix who begged for steamer clams at the 4th of July Picnic. Friend had a labradoodle that was lovely; I had a jack russel terrier that I found a home for 3 days before giving birth -- yeay- no puppies to deal with. ( Understand that I found this dog walking on the road far between houses at 7 am in the morning at 10 degrees on a cold winter morning. I passed her and went back to pick her up. ) Having 5 dogs was complete kaos. She was NOT a fit. I did not like that dog and she often threatened to nip. No , I did not like that dog one bit.

I found the dog I want-- just struggling with the finances. Prearranged, I met the ***** ring side at a big dog show, with 10 others of the breed to compare her too. THe plan was to breed her in June. . . . I love my rotties and this was definitely the next best choice. Around here the good labs go for 1500-2000$ for a puppy.

I need a very stable dog-- even tempered , never abused. I have children to consider.

 

[chickadoodles]

THanks chickerdoodles-- I feel for all the dogs iwthout homes-- I would take them all home if I could-- I stay away from rescue facilites for a reason. THe only one that I actually met dogs at was while I was in seattle many years ago and I knew I could not fit a dog on the plane with me. lol Sto;; made me feel horribly sad to see these unwanted dogs . . .

THe benefit of picking less well known breeds is that they are less messed up genetically. I have no problem with a mutt. One of my favorite dogs as a kid was the plumbers dog SUzie: a black lab x beagle mix who begged for steamer clams at the 4th of July Picnic. Friend had a labradoodle that was lovely; I had a jack russel terrier that I found a home for 3 days before giving birth -- yeay- no puppies to deal with. ( Understand that I found this dog walking on the road far between houses at 7 am in the morning at 10 degrees on a cold winter morning. I passed her and went back to pick her up. ) Having 5 dogs was complete kaos. She was NOT a fit. I did not like that dog and she often threatened to nip. No , I did not like that dog one bit.

I found the dog I want-- just struggling with the finances. Prearranged, I met the ***** ring side at a big dog show, with 10 others of the breed to compare her too. THe plan was to breed her in June. . . . I love my rotties and this was definitely the next best choice. Around here the good labs go for 1500-2000$ for a puppy.

I need a very stable dog-- even tempered , never abused. I have children to consider.

I understand Arielle everyone had their own ideas of what they want in a dog. I really do hope you get exactly the dog you want and need.

 

[Arielle]

I hope so too. Patience.

 

[Arielle]

I have 4 raspberry "twigs" dipped in root hormone and then into potting soil( poked a pencil size hole) then pressed soil into place around it. Will set up outside green house again ( taken down because of Hurri cane Arthur) and will keep it misted.

However, I will take a few high bush blue berry cuttings first and add those to the container.

 

[lazy gardener]

Have you tried taking a lower branch of the shrub that you want to propagate, nicking the bark or outer skin down to the cambium layer, and pegging it down to the soil, holding it in place with a rock, or a gardening staple? That allows it to root while still receiving nutrition from the mother plant. I've had excellent results doing this with Rosemary, and Lavender, and recently had a pink Spirea that did this on it's own. Also, columbine will start lots of new babies if the vine is allowed to grow on the ground. I'm thinking of going this route with some of my blueberries. My favorite varieties are Chippewa and Tophat.

 

[ronott1]

Have you tried taking a lower branch of the shrub that you want to propagate, nicking the bark or outer skin down to the cambium layer, and pegging it down to the soil, holding it in place with a rock, or a gardening staple? That allows it to root while still receiving nutrition from the mother plant. I've had excellent results doing this with Rosemary, and Lavender, and recently had a pink Spirea that did this on it's own. Also, columbine will start lots of new babies if the vine is allowed to grow on the ground. I'm thinking of going this route with some of my blueberries. My favorite varieties are Chippewa and Tophat.

In more temperate pats of the Country, you can do that with tomatoes! Just bend a stem down to the ground and cover it with dirt. In the Spring, a new tomato plant will grow up from the branch.

I have done that here Woodland before.

 

[Arielle]

Ron, do you have a garden all year?

 

[Arielle]

Have you tried taking a lower branch of the shrub that you want to propagate, nicking the bark or outer skin down to the cambium layer, and pegging it down to the soil, holding it in place with a rock, or a gardening staple? That allows it to root while still receiving nutrition from the mother plant. I've had excellent results doing this with Rosemary, and Lavender, and recently had a pink Spirea that did this on it's own. Also, columbine will start lots of new babies if the vine is allowed to grow on the ground. I'm thinking of going this route with some of my blueberries. My favorite varieties are Chippewa and Tophat.

THe varietes I have are all wild based on the size of hte berries, which is what I prefer. THere is a specific nutrient that is pretty much limited to the wild types as it is a bit bitter and has been bred out of the cultivated varieties. Not that I would refuse a big juicy cultivated berry, but I am definitely aiming for the wild types on the blueberries. Is the Chippewa one of the wild types??

THe short bushes are rampant all around here, but dont produce. I have a few high bush that we can pick if the birds dont steal allt he erries first !! Darn them!! lol THe 2 bushes by the drive are well beyond the reach of my hands so the birds can have the top of the berries, and I will get a few cuttings from this one as it is too stemmy to bend for the type of propogation you have mentioned. THe stems are 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches.

DH is cutting trees today so maybe next year the blueberries in theare ( that survive the environmental overhaul) will show what types of berries they are capable of.