Blueberries are a shrub that prefers wetlands and acidic soil. But that doesn't mean she doesn't need micronutrients. Indeed, to grow a bush 2 meters high, a lot of strength and energy is needed not only for the plant itself, but also for its owner, which provides optimal growing conditions.
You can feed the bushes in autumn and spring. Moreover, each season has its own pros and cons. Moreover, some fertilizer complexes require a step-by-step application that stretches over the whole season.
The need to fertilize blueberries in the fall
It is recommended to fertilize blueberries in autumn only after abundant watering, so that the soil has high humidity. Phosphorus and potash fertilizers are applied. While nitrogenous fertilizing should not be added this season, it is better to use them in the spring. As a result there will be an active growth of greenery. And our bush will not have time to move to the cold and prepare for wintering.
Please note that after pruning the plant, it is recommended to treat it with special products such as "Garden Var" and "Rannet", which can be purchased at any specialized store. They will protect the vine from pests and diseases entering the plant structure. After all, while it is weakened.
Signs of micronutrient deficiencies
If blueberries lack one or another trace element, their appearance immediately becomes noticeable. Namely:
- nitrogen - there is a slowdown in the growth of the shrub, the foliage turns yellow, and sometimes even takes on a red tint;
- phosphorus - foliage takes root on the stem, changing color to purple;
- calcium - the leaves are deformed, and turn yellow at the edges;
- potassium - the foliage dies off, and the tops of young pubes dry up;
- magnesium - leaves everywhere acquire a red tint;
- boron - the growth of shoots stops, the foliage becomes blue;
- iron - foliage turns yellow into a green mesh;
- sulfur - the leaves turn gray, and then they can completely turn white.
Timing for autumn feeding
Experts advise to apply fertilizer to the soil at the set time. So, nitrogenous compositions are used in three stages: 40% during the initial sap flow in early spring, 35% in May and 25% in June.
How to fertilize blueberries in autumn
Blueberries are a rather demanding shrub that needs a full range of useful trace elements.
The amount of nutrients added to the soil will depend on the following factors: the age of the bush, the acidity of the soil, the irrigation schedule, the presence of mulch and external signs of a lack of one or another component.
If the blueberries are fruitful and the bushes look healthy, soil analysis is not necessary. Everything is clear anyway. When the crop deteriorates or decreases, you need to use special fertilizers. And which ones, we will talk further.
Nitrogen fertilizers
Nitrogen is a fundamental component that ensures the growth and development of blueberries as a shrub. Without it or with a lack of it, the foliage turns yellow in the plant, the berries become small and the yield is less. Most often, ammonium sulfate is used as nitrogen-containing food complexes. Urea and other types of saltpeter are introduced somewhat less frequently.
You need to understand that the use of such a composition must be done correctly. It is strictly forbidden to get nitrogenous fertilizers on the leaves of the shrub and its root. Dilute nitrogen with water by watering the soil around the blueberry trunk at a distance of at least 0.2 m.
If you purchased fertilizer in the form of granules, it is better to apply it initially when planting the plant. And for annual fertilization by uniform distribution of top dressing, necessarily diluted with water, not near the bush, but somewhat further, so as not to damage the root system of the culture.
An excess of nitrogen is detrimental to blueberries. That is why it should be used wisely.
Phosphorus and potash mixtures
To improve the resistance of blueberries to various plant diseases and increase the vitality of the shrub, the soil should be fertilized with phosphorus. Plus, in this case, the taste of the fruit will improve and the yield will increase. When this microelement is not enough, the foliage is pressed against the stem, and the foliage turns purple.
Phosphate-containing top dressing is most often superphosphate. To feed the bush, you need to add about 100 g of the composition.
To increase the plant's resistance to sudden drops in temperature and allow moisture to stay in the soil longer, you need a sufficient amount of potassium in the soil. Moreover, potash fertilizers make the plant stronger, confronting a variety of diseases. For an adult blueberry bush you need 30-40 g.
Complex options
Nitrogen, potassium and phosphates are essential trace elements for any plant. But there are other trace elements that are no less necessary in the process of blueberry growth. These are calcium, iron, boron and magnesium, which you cannot do without. That is why experts recommend annually applying complex fertilizers to compensate for the lack of various useful nutrients.
Although it is worth paying attention to the fact that you should not use top dressing without the need. It's too much. And for blueberries, if necessary, you need to buy complexes for fruit and berry plants.
It is for blueberries that it is strictly forbidden to use products containing chlorides. This is harmful to the shrub.
When universal remedies are used during feeding, the lack of a certain trace element will be visible. It is his shortage that needs to be filled. In appearance, the specialist will immediately determine this.
Application of Kristalon
It is recommended to use Kristalon for foliar nutrition of the shrub during the growing season. At the same time, about 40 g of the substance falls on a bucket of water, repeating the procedure after 2-3 weeks. This concerns the use of Kristalon special.
Already a couple of weeks before harvesting, it is advised to fertilize the bushes with Kristalon brown. But for one bucket of water you need to add 20 g of the product.
Now you are well aware of exactly how and with what means it is worth feeding blueberry bushes. Everything has its time and it is important to correctly apply fertilizers with useful trace elements to the soil. Otherwise, you can only aggravate the problem and even destroy the plant. Be careful, fertilizers are useful and necessary, but only in capable hands.