Blueberries can be grown successfully in containers if cared for properly One key maintenance task is pruning blueberry bushes planted in pots With the right technique, you can keep your potted blueberries healthy, encourage more fruiting wood, and maximize your berry harvests.
When to Prune Potted Blueberries
Blueberry bushes in containers follow the same pruning timeline as those growing in the garden. Late winter, before new growth emerges, is the optimal time.
Ideally prune potted blueberries in early spring around February or March. This allows you to remove any dead branches and shape the plant while it is still dormant. Pruning at this time avoids wasting energy the plant has stored for leafing out and flowering.
Hold off pruning potted blueberries in their first three years. Young bushes need time to establish their structure and gain strength. Start pruning in year four to keep the plant size managed.
Why Prune Blueberry Bushes in Pots?
Annual pruning provides several benefits for potted blueberries:
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Keeps plant growth contained to fit the pot’s limited space. Unpruned bushes can outgrow their containers.
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Removes old, unproductive branches to encourage new fruiting wood.
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Allows better light exposure and airflow through the center of the plant.
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Manages plant height for easier care, harvesting and movement.
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Prevents branches from crossing and rubbing to reduce disease risk.
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Rejuvenates overgrown, neglected bushes by forcing new basal shoots.
Pruning is especially important for potted blueberries because their roots are restricted, so the top growth needs to stay proportionate.
How to Prune a Potted Blueberry Bush
Follow these tips when pruning your container blueberries:
Use clean, sterilized, sharp pruning tools. Wipe blades with rubbing alcohol between plants to prevent transmitting diseases. Bypass hand pruners, loppers and folding saws all work for pruning potted blueberries.
Start by removing any dead, damaged or crossing branches. Cut them off entirely at the base of the plant or back to a main junction if partially dead.
Shorten overly long branches so the plant will fit within the pot. Cut back to just above an outward facing bud or shoot.
Remove small, spindly growth near the base that won’t produce much fruit. Prioritize top growth.
Cut out older, thick wood every few years to promote new basal shoots. Remove 1-2 of the thickest, oldest branches entirely.
Aim for an open, vase-like shape with an airy center to allow sunlight penetration and air circulation.
Disinfect tools between cuts. Dip in rubbing alcohol or a diluted bleach solution.
Leave some buds and branches so the plant can still flower and fruit after pruning. Just contain the size.
Remove about 1/4 to 1/3 of the total branches. More for overgrown, neglected plants.
** Avoid pruning potted blueberries after mid-spring** once flower buds begin swelling. This will reduce the harvest.
Potted Blueberry Bush Pruning Demonstration
Check out this quick video showing how to prune an overgrown blueberry bush growing in a pot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYXwtHFmdk
The gardener uses proper technique by sterilizing the blades between cuts, removing old thick branches at the base, and thinning inner growth to open up the center.
Post-Pruning Care
After pruning your potted blueberries, implement these aftercare tips to support recovery:
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Water thoroughly to help the plant heal and begin regenerating.
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Apply fresh mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Fertilize bushes in early spring with an acid-loving fertilizer formulated for blueberries.
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Monitor for pests like aphids that can attack tender new growth after pruning.
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Stake or trellis branches if needed to support developing fruit weight.
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Be prepared to prune again next year to keep your potted bush productive.
With proper annual pruning and care, blueberry bushes can thrive and bear abundant fruit in pots for years. Timely pruning keeps them healthy, compact and overflowing with sweet berries.
Are Blueberries Suitable For Pots?
For blueberries to grow well and make the tasty fruit they are grown for, the soil and weather conditions around them need to be just right.
Pro gardener Colin Skelly says, “The soil in my garden is slightly acidic, but not too acidic for blueberries to do well.”
“I grow my blueberries in pots so that I can use ericaceous compost to make the right pH and moisture levels.”
“They need water in the summer, especially during long dry spells, so if you don’t already have one, a water butt would be a good idea.”
“This has the added bonus of collecting pH-neutral rain water.”
Blueberry plants grown in pots do best because the soil can be changed to meet their needs, and the planters can be moved to protect them from the worst winter weather.
Sourcing Ideal Containers
Here in the UK, you can grow a lot of different kinds of blueberries. The most common ones are probably “Blue Crop” and “Duke.”
Different types of blueberry shrubs can grow to be very different sizes. Some are dwarf and only reach 1 meter tall, while others can become big bushes that reach 3 meters tall and wide.
It’s important to make sure that the pot you choose for growing blueberries can handle the shrub’s eventual size and root system. A 30cm diameter pot is usually enough for a newly planted shrub.
Lorraine Summers, owner of the blueberry store Trehane Nursery, says, “You can grow blueberries in pots, but as small plants, they don’t like being overpotted.”
“Plant into a container that is 2-2.5 times the volume of the pot your plant is in now.
“Make sure the pot has good drainage holes, and fill the holes with coarse gravel to keep the compost from getting stuck.” ”.
As was already said, blueberries need soil that doesn’t stay soggy, so any container used will need to have enough drainage holes to let any extra water drain away.
Remember that blueberry plants prefer moist, but well-drained ericaceous soil with an acidic pH.
Pruning Blueberries with OSU Master Gardeners
FAQ
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