Content
Transplanting blueberries to a new location in the fall is an important and crucial step. The further development of the bush depends on its implementation. So that the plant does not suffer during transplantation, it is important to find a suitable place for it and prepare the substrate. A shrub will adapt more quickly to new conditions if you provide it with good care.
When do you need to transplant blueberries to another place?
In nature, a blueberry bush grows in one place for up to 100 years. Cultural forms, planted in a summer cottage or personal plot, bear fruit within 50 - 60 years. However, the plant does not always take root well in a new place. Then it is necessary to transplant a bush.
The need to transplant blueberries to another place often appears in the following cases:
- external factors (overgrowth of neighboring trees and shrubs, changes in landscape design, etc.);
- depletion of the soil;
- shrub rejuvenation;
- reproduction of culture.
Gardeners have to replant garden blueberries if the wrong site has been chosen for them. For example, when planting, the substrate was not prepared, and the plant does not develop well. In addition, the site can be flooded by melt water in spring, which leads to the death of the shrub.
Blueberries can be damaged by external influences. If the nearest crops grow rapidly, then they inhibit the development of other plants. As a result, blueberries do not receive enough light and nutrients.
If blueberries grow on one spot for too long, the soil gradually depletes. This negatively affects the growth of the shrub. In such situations, transplanting and preparing a new substrate for the culture helps.
Over time, the shrub grows old and yields less. To save the situation helps his transplanting a bush and dividing it into parts. As a result, several new seedlings are obtained. This is how the culture is rejuvenated.
When is the best time to transplant blueberries
There are several options for replanting blueberries to another location. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are taken into account before starting work. Specific dates are chosen taking into account weather conditions and the condition of the bush.
Transplanting is most preferable in early spring or late autumn. During such periods, the plant tolerates changes in external conditions best of all. Transplanting in the summer is also possible, but it has a number of restrictions.
For a spring transplant, a period is chosen when the snow melts and the soil warms up. It depends on the climate in the region and weather conditions. In the south, work is carried out until the end of March, in the middle lane - in April. In colder climates, transplanting is done in May.
Without restrictions, you can transplant blueberries in the spring in the middle lane, in the North-West, the Urals and Siberia. It is recommended to complete the work before bud break. If you are late with the deadlines, it will take more time to adapt.
Benefits of planting shrubs in spring:
- manage to adapt to a new place;
- there is no risk of cold weather;
- the ability to care for the shrub during the season.
Spring planting has several disadvantages:
- the growing season may begin earlier than suitable weather conditions;
- if spring frosts are predicted, then you will have to postpone work until autumn or build a shelter for the shrub;
- the plant is provided with full care: watering, feeding, mulching.
Summer shrub replanting is not the best option. If you disturb the plant during the growing season, this will disrupt its life rhythm. The procedure is especially dangerous during the period of flowering and ripening of berries. If it is necessary to transplant the bushes in the summer, then the harvest is completely removed first.
Summer transplantation is best tolerated by young bushes that have not yet begun to bear fruit. Usually on the bushes of the first berries ripen 2-4 years after planting. If you transplant a five-year blueberry in the summer, then the plant will direct its forces to adapt to new conditions. It is highly likely that next year the yield will be minimal.
The main advantages of a summer transplant:
- the berry will not suffer from frost;
- suitable for working with plants in containers.
Cons of transplanting blueberries in summer:
- the growth and development of the bush is disrupted;
- the plant needs more strength to adapt.
Autumn transplantation is practiced in the south. Work is carried out in November, 2 - 3 weeks before the onset of cold weather. In other regions, the bushes are transplanted in October. At the same time, they wait until the end of the growing season, when leaf fall will pass. If frosts are predicted in the region, then it is better to postpone the transplant until the spring. There is a high probability that blueberries will die under the influence of cold.
In autumn, the plant goes into a dormant period and tolerates transplantation well. At the same time, the root system continues to grow in blueberries. Therefore, by the beginning of winter, she manages to adapt to new conditions.
Benefits of transplanting blueberries in autumn:
- high survival rate of bushes;
- the adaptation period will take place in the fall, and in the spring the blueberries will immediately begin to grow;
- after transplanting, plants require minimal care: enough watering and shelter for the winter.
Disadvantages of an autumn transplant:
- blueberries can suffer from a sharp cold snap;
- in winter, the bushes are more often damaged by rodents;
- provide shelter for the young bushes for the winter.
How to transplant blueberries correctly
When transplanting blueberries, it is important to consider a few nuances. A suitable place is chosen for the culture, after which the substrate is prepared. The order of work does not depend on the season and remains unchanged.
Site selection and soil preparation
The blueberries are transplanted to a sunny location away from large trees, buildings and fences. In the shade, the bush slowly grows, its yield drops, and the berries do not gain sugars. Areas in lowlands where moisture and cold air accumulate are not suitable for transplanting.
Particular attention is paid to the pH level of the soil. The optimal indicator for the culture is from 3.5 to 5. It is measured using a special device. If the acidity of the soil is insufficient, a special substrate is prepared.
After transplanting, blueberries grow well in sour peat. Litter from coniferous forest, wood chips, rotted sawdust, coarse sand are added to the substrate. A hole is dug at the chosen place. Its size depends on the size of the bush. Usually, a pit 60 cm deep and 1 m in diameter is suitable for transplanting. The pit walls are insulated with polyethylene or tin sheets.
If the site has dense soil, then it is required to create a drainage layer. Crushed stone, expanded clay, broken brick are suitable for him. Drainage is poured into the bottom of the planting pit. As a result, a layer 10-15 cm thick is obtained. Then the prepared substrate is transferred into the pit.
How to transplant blueberries
To transplant blueberries to a new location, follow the instructions:
- Prepare the planting pit and substrate. The bush is planted on a small hill or ridge.
- Blueberries are examined, old or dry shoots, young shoots are removed. The remaining branches are cut in half.
- They retreat from the center of the bush by 20 cm and undermine it from all sides.
- The plant is removed from the ground. There is no need to pull on the shoots: this can seriously damage the blueberries.
- To protect the roots, they are wrapped in tarpaulins.
- The shrub is transferred to the prepared pit.
- The bush is placed on a ridge, its roots are covered and watered abundantly.
- The land is mulched with peat.
Blueberries are also transplanted into containers. They are placed on a veranda, gazebo or terrace. In this case, a large ceramic container or wooden box is prepared for transplantation. Be sure to make drainage holes and pour small stones on the bottom. Sour peat is prepared for the culture. After transplanting, the plant is watered, and rotted coniferous litter is poured into the trunk circle.
Blueberry care after transplant
If the transplant took place in the fall, then the plant is no longer watered or fed. The intake of moisture and nutrients stimulates the development of the bush. Before the onset of cold weather, it is prepared for winter: they spud and mulch with peat. A frame is erected over the young blueberry, to which any non-woven fabric is attached.
If blueberries are transplanted to a new location in the spring, then they are provided with good care. Watering and top dressing is started in 2 - 3 weeks. During this time, adaptation to new conditions takes place.
In the future, the bush is watered 1 - 2 times during the week. At the same time, they do not allow the soil to dry out and moisture stagnation in the soil. Mulching the soil with peat or pine needles helps to maintain an optimal level of moisture.
After transplanting in spring, blueberries are fed with ammonium sulfate or urea. Add 10 g of fertilizer to 10 liters of water. During flowering and fruiting, they switch to potassium sulfate and superphosphate. A large bucket of water requires 30 g of each substance. It is convenient to use complex fertilizers for crops that contain all the necessary substances.
Conclusion
Transplanting blueberries to a new location in the fall will help improve the conditions in which the shrub grows. It is best to carry out the procedure in the fall or spring. In some cases, a summer transplant is allowed. A site is preliminarily prepared for the culture: a hole is dug and deoxidizers are introduced.
