I live in an apartment and have a blueberry bush in a pot. Does it need to come into the apartment in the winter or can it stay out on the balcony? We face west and it is windy up on the 22nd floor. We live in Toronto, Ontario.
Toronto is considered gardening zone 6b. A rule of thumb is that container plants are exposed to a similar level of cold as in-ground plants two gardening zones lower, so you could keep plants hardy to zone 4b outside and bring others inside. Blueberries actually fall into different hardiness zones based on variety, so if you don't know the variety the best option is to bring it inside. Winter protection is another option:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/wrapping-plants-in-burlap.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protecting-plants-winter.htm
I live in Zone 10a. I have a potted self-pollinating Sunshine blueberry bush that's supposed to do well in Southern California. The pot is maybe 12". I moved it from my front porch (4-6 hours sun) to my community garden with full sun last May. It keeps blooming and starting to fruit, but then the fruit never matures and eventually falls off. A heat wave last summer turned all the leaves brown, but I moved to partial shade next to a tomato plant and it recovered. Then the blooming/bud thing happened in the fall/winter. We've had a ton of rain in the last couple months. Now it's dropped most leaves again. I feed it with azalea food, but not for a couple of months at least. I try to keep it moist, but not over-watered. Any suggestions?
If the fruits are very small when they fall off, poor pollination may be the cause. Self-pollinating bushes can still have poor yield due to pollination problems:
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/invest_in_pollination_for_success_with_highbush_blueberries
This could be improved by attracting bees to your garden using plants they prefer.
Blueberries also need even more acidic soil than other acid-loving plants like azaleas. You may want to have a pH test done to make sure your pH is low enough.
http://articles.extension.org/pages/29216/soil-ph-for-blueberry-plantings
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/lower-soil-ph-blueberries.htm
I have planted a blueberry bush in a container. It has been planted for about 2months and has shown very little growth and the leaves have taken on a reddish purple hue and some are dying. I keep the soil moist. Am I watering too much or not enough or do I have a soil problem? I planted it in Miracle Grow potting mix. Sorry no photos.
The color change of red leaves can indicate too cold of temperatures, fungus disease, nutrient issues, or root rot.
You soil should be moist but never soggy.
The link below will help refresh you on the care requirements.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/grow-blueberries-in-pots.htm
Hi, I bought a blueberry plant last month and picked a type for container gardening - Vaccinium coryb. 'Jolly Berry Big Blue'. I planted it in a medium size pot with acidic soil and it's placed on my windowsill where it gets a lot of sun (I have a south facing balcony and I live in a warm climate). I am worried because so far the plant hasn't grown many leaves - as you can see in the picture, it looks like a stick with a few leaves on it. Can you offer some advice? Thank you!
Make sure your plant is in full sun for most of the day.
Avoid overwatering. The roots are shallow and will not do well with soggy soil.
Make sure the soil is well draining.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/grow-blueberries-in-pots.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/blueberry-plant-pruning.htm
What is best blueberry bush to plant in containers in Austin Texas, 78750
These articles will help you.
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/files/2015/04/blueberries_2015.pdf
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/grow-blueberries-in-pots.htm
I'm in zone 4.this year I planted blueberry plants in pots. what is the best way to over winter them. Would it be better to plant them in the grown and protect them with mulch or bring inside for the winter. I don't have a garage, so I'm not sure if it would be to warm 9in the house. This is my first time growing blueberries. Any advise would be helpful. Thank You Jackie
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/grow-blueberries-in-pots.htm
Hi, I have a question about dormancy. I have 2 blueberries bush plants in a 16" pot on my balcony and I live in Toronto (winters go below freezing for 3-4 months). I was instructed to relocate the pot in my unheated basement garage during the months with freezing temperature, and water it once a month. My question is that do dormant plants require sunlight? My basement has no light. Please let me know thank you! Shu
Even in dormancy, blueberries need some light. In fact most blueberries require a period of roughly 200 hours of temperatures between 37 and 42 degrees to fruit properly the next year. Here is an article that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/growing-blueberry.htm