Content
Blueberry Bluecrop is one of the most popular varieties, distinguished by its tall growth and stable yield. The culture is able to adapt to places with different climatic conditions, and also tolerates changes in soil acidity well.
Breeding history
The variety was bred in 1915-1917 in the state of New Jersey by American breeders Frederick Covill and Elizabeth White from tall blueberries. In the middle of the last century, the culture was brought to the territory of the USSR, thanks to which it is still popular in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Bluecorp blueberries are considered by breeders to be the standard for other varieties.
Description of berry culture
Description of the blueberry variety Bluecrop should begin with the fact that the plant is planted not only for the purpose of harvesting, but also as an ornamental shrub. Changing the color of foliage according to different seasons looks very impressive in gardens and backyards.
General understanding of the variety
The height of blueberry Bluecrop is about 1.6-1.9 m, and the crown width is about 1.7-2 m. The leaves have a serrated edge, an oblong, slightly elongated shape and a characteristic bright green color.
Shoots are erect, spreading and strong. The root system of blueberry Bluecrop is of a fibrous type, devoid of villi and located at a distance of 35-40 cm from the surface of the earth.
The flowers are white with a greenish tinge, no more than 1-1.5 cm in length. In their shape, they resemble barrels or bells.
Blueberry Bluecrop grows only in cold regions, so it is pointless to plant a crop in the south. The plant needs acidic peaty soils, which are found only in the northern regions.
Berries
Fruits of deep blue color, rather large, about 2 cm in diameter, have a pronounced bloom. The weight of each berry varies between 1.8-2.5 g. The taste of blueberries is sweet and sour.
The fruits grow in dense clusters that ripen within 20-25 days after flowering. For clarity, below is a photo of Blueberry blueberry.
Characteristic
Characteristics of blueberries Bluecrop has its own characteristics that distinguish it from other varieties. For example, the shrub is highly frost-resistant, which makes it possible to grow plants in regions with cold climates. This variety is most commonly cultivated in the United States as an industrial crop.
Main advantages
Frost resistance of blueberry Bluecrop is one of the main advantages of the variety. The shrub can withstand temperatures down to -30-32 ° C. The advantages of Bluecrop over other varieties include:
- relative drought tolerance;
- immunity to most diseases;
- regular and abundant fruiting;
- good keeping quality and transportability of berries.
In addition, the plant is unpretentious in care, does not require special preparation before the onset of cold weather.It is only important to observe the watering regime, regularly weed and mulch the planting site, and also prune the shoots.
There are a lot of blueberry varieties, they are often compared with each other. For example, Bluecrop or Northland blueberries have several differences. Bluecrop ripens later, but you can collect 2-3 kg more berries from one bush than from Northland blueberries. In addition, Bluecrop is resistant to a wider range of diseases.
Flowering period and ripening time
Pollination of blueberries Bluecrop is most often cross-pollination. Therefore, to obtain a harvest next to the shrub, it is necessary to plant other varieties with the same flowering periods.
The plant begins to bloom in May, and at the end of July the first berries appear. At the same time, the ripening of blueberry fruits is uneven.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
The tall blueberry Bluecrop shows high yields. From one adult bush, you can collect about 8-10 kg of berries. The culture begins to bear fruit from late July to early August. Harvesting times may vary depending on the climate and characteristics of the region.
Scope of berries
Blueberry variety Bluecrop is widely used for making jams, preserves and other preparations for the winter from delicious and ripe berries. The fruits can also be eaten fresh.
Disease and pest resistance
The description of the garden blueberry Bluecrop also includes resistance to various diseases and pests. This culture has moderate resistance to most viruses and pathogens.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Numerous reviews of Bluecrop blueberries indicate the following advantages of this variety:
- high yield rates;
- cold resistance;
- good fruit taste;
- immunity to a wide range of diseases;
- easy care;
- large berries;
- good transportability.
The disadvantages include:
- long ripening of berries;
- excessive branching of shoots;
- congestion of the bush with berries.
Despite these shortcomings, Bluecrop is the benchmark for other blueberry varieties.
Blueberry propagation
Garden blueberries Bluecrop can reproduce in three main ways:
- by seeds - the most laborious method in which a grown seedling begins to bear fruit only at 5-6 years of age, but does not inherit varietal traits;
- layering - the best option for breeding blueberries, which consists in bending the shoots to the ground and sprinkling them with soil for rooting;
- cuttings - they are harvested in the fall, after which they are stored all winter in a cool place, in the spring they are placed in the ground and covered with film material until the end of August.
Landing rules
Planting Blue Crop blueberries is easy. It is only important to choose the optimal place and day of planting, as well as to carry out all the necessary measures to prepare the substrate.
Recommended timing
Bluecrop is best planted in spring. But in the southern regions with the absence of early frosts, planting can be done in the fall.
Choosing the right place
The planting site should be located in a sunny location, free from other large trees that obstruct sunlight and air circulation. Groundwater should be located at a distance of 55-60 cm from the surface of the earth. It is best if pollinators for Bluecrop blueberries are planted nearby.
Soil preparation
In order to plant Blueberry blueberries, you need to prepare the substrate. Soil composition is one of the most important conditions for successful crop cultivation. The soil should be acidic (pH about 3.5-5), consisting of peat, black soil, sand with the addition of sawdust and bark.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Reviews of tall blueberries Bluecrop often contain information on how to choose seedlings. Planting material should be 2-3 years old, with a closed root system, without any damage to the shoots and signs of disease.
Algorithm and scheme of landing
The blueberry planting process includes the following main steps:
- Digging a hole with a depth and diameter of about 55-60 cm.
- Laying a drainage layer (crushed stone or broken brick) at the bottom of the pit.
- Mixing soil with sour peat, sand and black soil.
- Pouring out 1/3 of the entire substrate and setting the seedling.
- Spreading the root system, filling the rest of the soil.
- Mulching the soil with sawdust or needles and watering abundantly.
When watering for the first time after planting, dilute 0.1 liters of vinegar in 10 liters of water.
Follow-up care of the culture
Planting and caring for Blueberry blueberries is so simple that even novice gardeners can do it. Blueberry is an unpretentious crop, thanks to which it is possible to avoid the consequences of mistakes in caring for it.
Necessary activities
Regular and abundant watering is one of the most important steps in caring for a berry crop. But it is important not to overdo it, since blueberries do not tolerate moisture stagnation in the area of the root system. Watering is recommended 3-4 times a week. The frequency of irrigation depends on the season and the climate of the region.
In addition, the cultivation of blueberries Bluecrop includes plant nutrition. Fertilizers should be selected in such a way as not to disturb the acidity of the soil; it is best to choose preparations containing boron, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilization is done twice a year: in April and June.
Loosening and weeding of the soil should be carried out after each watering. Needles, peat and sawdust are perfect as mulch.
Shrub pruning
Blueberry care also includes pruning the shrub regularly. The procedure is carried out in the fall, all branches that are located close to the surface of the earth are removed and only erect shoots are left. The formation of a bush allows you to achieve the highest possible yield.
Preparing for winter
Planting and caring for tall blueberries Bluecrop must necessarily include measures to prepare the shrub for winter. Branches in mid-October should be bent to the surface of the ground, fixed and tightly covered with spruce or pine branches.
Collection, processing and storage of crops
The blueberry variety Bluecrop has a long shelf life. After picking berries in August, they can be stored at a temperature of 4-5 ° C for about 14-16 days, and in the freezer - up to several months.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The tall blueberry Bluecrop is characterized by moderate resistance to diseases and pests. The main methods of control and prevention are presented in the tables.
Disease | Prevention and treatment methods |
Stem cancer | Treatment of shoots with fungicides, feeding and adherence to the irrigation regime. |
Gray rot | Removal of affected bush branches and cauterization of the sections. It is important to monitor the application of nitrogenous fertilizers and weed the planting site regularly. |
Powdery mildew | The most effective preparations for treating leaves and shoots are Sulfarid, Topaz and Bayleton. |
Pest | Methods of control and prevention. |
Kidney mite | Used Nitrafen and copper sulfate. |
Black and red aphids | The shrub is sprayed with Iskra and Aktara. |
Regular inspection of the plant and the timely use of the above control methods will avoid serious consequences.
Conclusion
Blueberry Bluecrop is rightfully considered a reference variety.The culture is distinguished by high frost resistance, unpretentious care, good keeping quality of fruits, as well as high yield rates.
