If they are in leaf, just work you fingers up into the roots from the bottom & loosen them a little & pot them. If they are still dormant, bare root & pot them. I would wait at least 2 weeks to fertilize as initial low fertility tends to stimulate root colonization of the container (Dr C Whitcomb).

Plant them so the basal flare is just showing. This is the point where the plant transitions from stem(s) to roots and water well. You might wish to use a wick initially to help drain any excess water in the container bottom. This will also hasten root colonization of the entire soil mass. Later, when the planting has matured and you need greater water retention, simply remove the wick.

Have fun! Good luck!

Al

Thanks so much! They arrived this morning and are now planted, per your instructions. I'll post pics later, lol.

On a related side note. I've been messing around in the raised bed in our back yard (find a snake every time I start digging!) and found a small strawberry plant that "didn't make it" last year and was coming back on its own. I dug it out and moved it to the 5-1-1 mix. Anyway, when I did so, I discovered that it was still attached to a perfectly shaped (like the pot I bought it in) chunk of dirt. Guess I have a good idea why it was struggling!!!

Steph

What you described is a common occurrence when your bedding or potted plants get extremely root bound. The best bedding plants or transplant subjects are those that have a root mass that DOESN'T remain intact when you pull them from their cell packs or pots. If the DO remain intact, I always rip the bottom half of the roots off and work my fingers up into the roots. I also pluck at that 'wall' of roots on the outside of the soil/root mass or make several cuts with a razor blade. Once plants become severely root bound, it has a permanent negative effect on on growth unless the condition is corrected. Always try to avoid simply transplanting or potting-up a root bound plant.

Al

Okay, here are my pics! :)

This is the "Bluecrop"
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/shlac/blueberries4.jpg[/IMG]

This is the "Rubel" with the rescued strawberry to the left!
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/shlac/blueberries3.jpg[/IMG]

And the "Patriot"
[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/shlac/blueberries2.jpg[/IMG]
You can't tell in the picture but one of the top "branches" is dead. Should I cut it off, or leave it?

hmmmm, let me try this again...

{{gwi:22012}}

{{gwi:22013}}

{{gwi:22014}}

I'm smiling at your enthusiasm and impatience. I think it's cool. Just leave the part you think is dead unless you're absolutely sure it's dead or unless it's something you don't envision as being a part of the plant you're going to keep. If it bugs you too much, just start snipping it off, starting at the tip and removing small increments until you find living tissue and then just stop.

It looks like you're being careful how you water right now because the plants are in large containers. That's still a good thing at first, even with plants in fast soils. Good job.

Good luck. I wish lots of success and fun on you!

Al

:) Al, thanks for all of your help! If they survive, I'll owe it to you!!! The pics were taken right after I planted them. Hence the visible water. That was about a week ago and I've only watered them once (after 2 days of 90+ degree weather!) because it keeps raining here, in fact, it started raining a few hours after I watered them, lol!

I do have another quick question, since I'm not using the Miracid yet, should I go ahead and give them their weekly epsom salt or wait and give it when I start the Miracid?

Thanks again!
Steph

Apply by mixing it with the fertilizer solution. ;o)

Al

Okay, so THEY HAVE LEAVES now!

The Rubel seems to be thriving the most:
{{gwi:22015}}

Patriot comes in 2nd (you can kinda see that dead part near the top right of the picture):
{{gwi:22016}}

And dead last is the Blue crop... perhaps it's focusing on root growth?:
{{gwi:22017}}

Thanks Al! I give you ALL the credit for them still being alive! But, of course, I have another question! Since they're so puny, should I remove any flowers this year? Give them a chance to get big and strong. If so, how do I do that? Just pull them off? Cut them off?

Thanks!

I don't think the extra photosynthate the plant is able to channel toward an increase in biomass in lieu of removed fruit is going to be something so significant it will make you stand up and take notice, but it will make SOME difference.

If you remove any blossoms or fruit, it would be good to cut through the flower petiole or fruit stem with a pair if scissors. If you ever want to invest in the perfect tool for deadheading, THIS is it:

{{gwi:14891}}

It's about 6" long and handles like a dream. ;o)

Al

If this helps. I've been growing blueberries in pots for a few years now and have had great success with them. Ive been growing Top Hat, Chippewa, Northsky, Northblue. Northland and Burgundy are new for me this year.
I've got a couple bushes of each and want to try the Pink Lemonade next.
I pretty much don't do anything special other than feed 2 times a year ( a tiny bit of Hollytone very early spring with a pinch of Epsom Salt and Cockadoodle Doo late spring), a little mulch in spring and water when almost dry, every couple of days. I will only lightly prune when needed which really isn't much. I'm pretty pleased with the amount of fruit that I get.
The are low maintenance and real easy.
Your plants look fine and they should do well for you.