propagating blueberries

[thisfineday]

I live in upstate NY, in Otego, right near Oneonta. I'm located halfway between Albany and Binghamton.

I plan to start trying to propagate this year but haven't found any advice specifically for my area.

First, I wonder if I could take cuttings as early as April (we're not sure that there won't be a frost here until mid May).

Second, do I need to keep all the cuttings from one bush in one container or can I mix the cuttings (I have about 8 varieties and don't know if they like to be separated or will do just as well mixed with their field mates. Also should the cuttings in each container be stuck in at approximately 2" X 2" intervals?

Once the cuttings have rooted (about 4 weeks?) can they be planted in permanent beds, outside on the blueberry hill, or do they need to be transplanted into intermediate larger containers for the winter?

In either case, (on the hill or in containers), do I plant several cuttings together or does each rooted cutting make it's own bush?

If I can plant directly on the hill, do I dig a hole approximately 8" across and 8" deep, line it with potting mix of sand/peat moss/and pine bark 1:1:1; and put the root ball into that, mulching the top with wood chips?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me, Janet Sutta

[Stuart]

Janet, You can also dig up and replant the suckers that pop up about 8"-15" away from the base of a mature plant. They produce the next year if planted in direct sun. My neighbor has all the bushes he wants and my transplanting suckers keeps his picking pathways clear. I plant them randomly. It helps pollination. Stuart//

[KC]

Each rooted cutting will make it's own bush. No need to plant several together, in fact probably a bad idea. The inside canes need sunlight.

Rule of thumb is hole needs to be 2x bigger than the root ball. The potting mix is good if the soil drains well. Have you had a soil test recently? Blueberries like an acidic soil, 4.5 to 5.5 pH, for best production. Fertilize lightly 2-3 times a year using a fertilizer made for Azaleas/Camellias.

Let us know how your propagation turns out. I'm experimenting with blueberry propagation from cuttings myself.

KC