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Propagating Blueberries

Hello Garden Web,

I have some questions about propagating blueberries from both cuttings and seed:

1. I have read cuttings can be propagated by cutting off 4 to 6 inches of softwood and placing directly into peat moss. How much would temperature and humidity aid survival and rooting of the cuttings? How long would it take for the cuttings to establish themselves? I tried propagating from cuttings last fall without a greenhouse but my attempt was a complete failure.

2. What is the best way to prepare blueberry seeds for germination? How long will they take to sprout?

Comments (6)

  • 16 years ago

    Can't say I have done this but did a quick Google search and found this.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating blueberry bushes.

  • 16 years ago

    As for germinating blueberry seed, I am trying that right now. Look up Bluegrass Blueberries and go to their website. They have two youtube videos on starting blueberries from seed. I can't say anything about the failure/success yet. Good Luck!

  • 16 years ago

    Growing blueberries from seed is not a way I would want to do it. Blueberries are cross pollinated to produce fruit/seeds. If you grow from seed the only sure thing is that you will not be growing any known named variety and that there will be lots of variation from plant to plant.

  • 16 years ago

    Dear Mr./Ms. Container:

    I don't know how this would work in zone 10, but I take blueberry cuttings in February when they are dormant, place them in a gallon ziplock with peat moss, and refrigerate them for 6-8 weeks. This permits the ends of the cuttings to callous, which facilitates root development.

    Then in around late April I dip them in Rootone, and line them out in rich soil mixed with spaghnum peat moss. This gives me about 90% takes, but in a climate where the plants never really go dormant you might have to force dormancy with refrigeration.

    Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

  • 16 years ago

    @ jellyman,

    How many clippings do you put in each gallon ziplock bags? How long and thick are the cuttings? They are softwood right? How much peat moss in each bag?

    Your method sounds interesting. So this callous that forms around the end actually helps the root tone work better? Hmmm, I think I would like to try this method.

    P.S. You do not use a greenhouse outside to help the cuttings root?

  • 16 years ago

    Container:

    You can put as many cuttings into a gallon ziploc as you can put into a gallon ziploc. Maybe a dozen or so. Surround them with peat moss, maybe two or three good handfuls, and it should be slightly moist but not wet. Don't put in so much that you can't close the bag. Place in refrigeration.

    Use 1-year green cuttings, which are usually about 3/8 inch caliper, but may vary in size. 5-6 inches long is good, but the issue is not so much length as the number of buds on the cutting, which should be a minimum of 4. When you stick them in the ground, at least two buds should be above the surface. Needless the say, the buds must point upwards. Moisten the business end slightly so the Rootone will cling to it.

    When I plant the cuttings, outdoor temperatures are warming, so there is no need for a greenhouse. I assume that in zone 10, it's warm pretty much all the time. I don't think cuttings will root unless they have been previously calloused by this or some other method. Exposed buds should begin to open in 10 days or so; maybe sooner depending on ambient temperatures. Of course, the soil around the newly planted cuttings should be kept moist.

    Starting blueberry plants from seed is a bad idea.

    Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA