Blueberry flowers have blooming season in the spring, but may be at the end of the winter in hotter areas. They will start from pink buds and will eventually turn into small white bell-shaped flowers. A large, healthy blueberry plant produces thousands of flower buds every year.
These plump, juicy berries are easy to grow in your backyard since there are bush types that are resistant to most pests and diseases, and can produce for up to 20 years.
To bring ensure your blueberry plant produces blooms; you should take note of the following:
- Climate – Blueberry flowers won’t survive frost in areas with cold winter. For this reason, it is also possible to grow blueberries in pots so you can bring them inside if the threat of frost arrives. Spring is the blooming season of blueberries but can also bloom in the end of the winter in areas without frost.
- Soil – Although blueberry will grow in most types of soil conditions, it will only truly thrive in a well-draining, acidic soil with pH between 4.5 and 5. A soil pH higher than this can deter the blooms from your plant. Also make sure the soil is rich in organic matter. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch like wood chips, saw dust or pine needles after planting to keep its shallow roots moist.
- Location – Place your blueberry in an area with full sun. A shaded area may prevent the plant from blossoming and setting fruit.
- Water – Because they are shallow-rooted, blueberries do require more water than most fruits so the surface roots do not dry out. Blueberries respond best to deep watering rather than keeping the surface moist. Supply 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
- Pollinators – Some cultivars of blueberries are self pollinators and are better planted in areas where there are few pollinators available. They will also benefit from close proximity of another blueberry plant. Few blooms are often a result of insufficient pollination. Planting another blueberry within 100 feet of another will help bees cross pollinate the blossoms, boosting your chances for fruit production. In fact, planting a different variety nearby may result in larger as well as more plentiful berries. You could also place it near plants that attract pollinators such as holy basil.
- Fertilizers – Well-fed blueberry plants blooms beautifully. Give them
- Pruning – You will not need to prune until the third year of your blueberry plant. Prune after they finished fruiting. This is best done when you open up the inside of the plant and remove the oldest, darkest branches.
If you could give your blueberries these growing requirements and choose the right variety, it will bring you fruit even in a hotter climate.