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Nelson blueberry is an American cultivar obtained in 1988. The plant was bred by crossing Bluecrop and Berkeley hybrids. In Russia, the Nelson variety has not yet been tested for inclusion in the State Register. However, the crop is considered promising for cultivation in various regions.
Description of the blueberry variety Nelson
Nelson blueberry is a vigorous shrub that can grow up to 1.5 - 1.8 m in height. Its shoots are straight, raised, numerous. Young shoots are green, over time the bark becomes gray or brownish.
Leaves are smooth, alternate, hard, up to 2.4 cm long. Their shape is lanceolate, with a rounded top. The edges of the sheet plate are slightly bent downward. The color is bluish-green, on the back side it is lighter. There is a light waxy coating on the leaves.
Flowers are located on last year's shoots, collected in loose brushes. Cups - bell-shaped, drooping, white-pink. Flowering begins in the second decade of June and lasts 10 - 12 days. It takes 40-50 days to form berries.
Features of fruiting
Nelson blueberries are self-fertile, capable of producing crops without a pollinator. To improve its fruiting, other varieties are planted nearby. A prerequisite is flowering at the same time. For Nelson blueberries, Berkeley, Herbert, Pemberton, Spartan hybrids will be good pollinators.
The harvest of the Nelson variety ripens from August 10. The berries ripen in 2 - 3 passes. The first wave of fruiting bears the largest and highest quality fruits. The total yield per bush is 6.5 to 9 kg.
Nelson berries have a good sweet and sour taste. Their average dimensions are 18 - 20 mm. The skin is dense, light blue in color. Blueberries hang on the branches for a long time, are not prone to dropping and decay. The fruits can withstand long-term storage and transportation.
Berries are rich in vitamins and other nutrients. They are consumed fresh, added to dairy products, breakfast cereals. The fruits are kept dry or frozen throughout the winter. Delicious homemade preparations are made from blueberries: jam and compotes.
Blueberry Nelson in the photo:
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits of growing Nelson blueberries:
- high stable yield;
- large tasty berries;
- winter hardiness of bushes.
Disadvantages of Nelson Blueberry:
- requires soil preparation and landing site;
- needs acidification of the soil, watering, pruning and other care.
Breeding features
Blueberries are propagated vegetatively. During the transplant, the bush is divided into parts, the places of the cuts are sprinkled with wood ash. Each seedling should have 2 - 3 shoots and strong roots 5 cm long. After planting, the bushes are regularly watered and fed.
For propagation of the Nelson variety, cuttings are also used. In late autumn, 10 - 15 cm long shoots are cut. Strong and large branches are chosen. First, the planting material is kept in the cold for a month at a temperature of 1 - 5 ° C. Then the cuttings are planted in a sand and peat substrate. For 2 years, the plants are watered, fed with complex fertilizers, and then transferred to a permanent place.
Planting and leaving
When planting blueberries, they meet the deadlines and prepare a place for growing. Be sure to follow the sequence of work.
Recommended timing
The Nelson blueberry variety is planted in fall or spring. Planting in the spring is considered more reliable. During the season, the plants have time to take root and adapt to new conditions. Wait until the soil on the site warms up well. In the middle lane, this is mid - end of May, in colder climates - early June. In autumn, work is carried out 3 to 4 weeks before the onset of cold weather.
Site selection and soil preparation
Blueberry Nelson prefers sunny areas. When grown in the shade, yield drops and the flavor of the berries is lost. Best of all, the bush develops in loose, acidic soil. The optimum pH level is from 3.8 to 5. A special device is used to measure it. The groundwater level should not be higher than 40 cm.
If the soil is not acidic on the site, then you need to prepare a special substrate for Nelson blueberries. Peat, tree bark or chips, pine needles, sphagnum moss are used. A good substrate for blueberries is rotted sawdust.
Landing algorithm
Planting procedure for Nelson blueberries:
- Dig a hole 50 cm deep and 1 m in diameter.
- If the soil is clay, sprinkle a 10 cm layer of fine gravel or broken brick on the bottom.
- The pit walls are insulated with boards or sheets of tin.
- The pit is covered with a prepared substrate.
- A comb is made on the surface, on which blueberries are planted.
- The roots of the plant are covered with a substrate and watered abundantly.
- Peat or coniferous sawdust is poured into the trunk circle.
Growing and care
Caring for Nelson blueberries comes down to watering and feeding. Pruning helps to regulate the growth of the bush and the yield. In the fall, the plant is prepared for wintering.
Watering schedule
Nelson blueberries are watered sparingly as the soil dries. On average, moisture is applied 1 - 2 times a week. For culture, both lack of water and its excess are destructive. Lack of moisture negatively affects the flowering and fruiting of the bushes. With increased soil moisture, the root system rots, and the plant stops developing.
For watering Nelson blueberries, warm, settled water is used. It is poured strictly into the trunk circle. In drought, the bushes are sprayed in the evening, when there is no direct exposure to the sun.
Feeding schedule
When choosing fertilizers for Nelson blueberries, take into account the pH level of the soil. If the soil is not acidic enough, this will affect the appearance of the plant. The first sign is reddening of the leaves in spring or summer. If the soil is not acidified, then the development of the shrub slows down, the leaves turn white and fall off, the yield decreases, and the taste of the berries deteriorates.
Feeding options for Nelson blueberries:
- 100 g of powdered sulfur per 1 sq. m;
- 20 g of ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate per 1 sq. m;
- 10 g of urea, potassium sulfate or Nitroammofoska per 1 sq. m;
- 10 g of unused electrolyte for cars per 10 liters of water;
- 3 tsp citric acid per 10 liters of water;
- complex fertilizers Florovit, Lifdrip, etc.
In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied under the Nelson variety. Such preparations promote the growth of shoots and leaves. In summer and autumn, they switch to compositions containing phosphorus, potassium, manganese.
Pruning
According to the description, Nelson blueberries are actively growing. To direct the forces of the bush to the formation of berries, you need to regularly prune. From the second year after planting, 5 - 7 strong shoots are chosen per bush. The remaining branches are cut off. Broken, dry, frozen shoots are removed annually.
Preparing for winter
The Nelson variety has a high winter hardiness. The bushes can withstand temperatures as low as -34 ° C. For the winter, the shrub is huddled, a layer of dry leaves or peat is poured on top. A frame is erected over the young bushes and a non-woven fiber is attached to it.
Pests and diseases
Subject to agricultural practices, Nelson blueberries rarely suffer from diseases and pests. If warning signs are found, the shrub is sprayed with fungicides. Against fungal diseases, drugs Topaz, Oxyhom, Bordeaux liquid are used. Insecticides Spark and Fundazol help to get rid of pests.
Conclusion
Blueberry Nelson is a reliable variety for cultivation in Russia. It is distinguished by high yield, large and tasty fruits, frost resistance. For growing a hybrid, special conditions are created: they maintain the acidity of the soil, add water and fertilizers.
