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bradybbb

Blueberry Trees

13 years ago

I was looking for some information about Blackberries and found this article about work being done by Oregon State University. Brady

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/NWREC/programs/berry-crops/grafted-blueberry-trial

Comments (26)

  • 13 years ago

    Blue Berry Trees
    I want Sweet crisp blue berry tree.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Berry Tree

  • 13 years ago

    Here good article about root stock this help because not acid loving root system.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Root blue berry tree.

  • 13 years ago

    I'm personally not particularly concerned with tree vs. bush form, but a single-stemmed plant that could therefore be more effectively grafted onto rootstock that could potentially lend greater adaptability and ease of care to species/varieties otherwise less adapted to my area would be very interesting. Thanks for the links. If anyone else does any experimenting, I'll be eager to hear reports. Maybe I can begin some experiments soon, too.

    On a closely related note, there's a you-pick blueberry place near me where pretty much all the bushes have been trained into tree-like form with a single trunk about three feet tall and branching from there. I'm sure they're not grafted. I assume they're mostly rabbiteye types. If anyone is interested, maybe I can post some photos sometime. I'd guess there's 1-3 acres of blueberries that were originally all pruned to a single stem. The place passed on to the next generation several years ago, and it's been more minimally maintained since. It's nice to pick standing up, and I suppose it makes mowing/weed control easier, too.

  • 13 years ago

    Yes,thanks for the link gator_rider.I think I'll try to get some Sparkleberry seeds and see what happens.

    cousinfloyd,
    Sure,I'd like to see those plants,thanks. Brady

  • 13 years ago

    While looking for seed also called Farkleberry find us good souse.

  • 13 years ago

    You should have a look at the link provided. Farkleberry and Sparkle berry are the same item, just a different name.

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:123748}}

  • 13 years ago

    Yeah beeman,I think that was what gator_rider was indicating. Brady

  • 13 years ago

    For those in the PNW region, note there is a Blueberry Open House at the OSU research station in July, open to all, not just farmers.

  • 13 years ago

    I just ordered two gallon size Sparkleberry plants from Mail Order Natives to speed things up.
    Sheffield's Seed Company has the seeds,kind of expensive at $15,including shipping for about 20 of them.
    That other place we're not suppose to mention,D_ _ _ _'s G_ _ _ _n,has people listed that have different parts of the plant,including seeds for trade.
    Larry,I was planning on going to that this year but couldn't get the time. Brady

  • 13 years ago

    I ordered 2 plants as well thanks for info about plants and seed I will order seed as soon I find on that site Sheffield's. These plants not needing acid soil be big help to growing of blueberries the wider range of PH roots pick up water of coarse more to learn waiting waiting waiting lol.

  • 13 years ago

    rider,
    Sparkleberry/farkleberry was present all through the woods of east-central AL, where I grew up - and there are plants of it scattered through the woods on my farm here in southern west-central KY.
    I'd bet if folks could take a leisurely stroll through the woods, they'd find 'em - now, catching 'em in fruit might be a different matter, and growing from seed to a size big enough for grafting might take a while...

  • 13 years ago

    I'd love to be able to grow blueberries 7' off the ground in soil that isn't super acidic so I could put them in unfenced areas where deer prowl.

  • 13 years ago

    If you read up on this you may find that only certain varieties of Sparkleberries are compatible with blueberries. It is an interesting idea though.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Sparkleberry

  • 13 years ago

    Thanks Bam we have huckle berry here a long river as post in your link says they work. I have one Huckleberry bush but been in shade large oak a long time so don't fruit plans move it this winter.

  • 13 years ago

    UPS brought my Sparkleberry plants today they look healthy about foot tall.

  • 13 years ago

    Is there any way to get Sweet Crisp (just regular, not trees) if your'e not a commercial farmer??

  • 13 years ago

    Sign me up! I would love blueberries but my soil/water is so alkaline and hard I actually get calcium deposits in my garden from watering. From what I understand sparkle berry is the only blue berry species that can tolerate alkaline soil? I just might order a few starts to.

  • 13 years ago

    Yes yawiney,there are places like Just Fruits and Exotics and Horner Farms that have them.Also Mail Order Natives is growing some more for most likely next Summer. Brady

  • 13 years ago

    I am considering of giving this a try. I know that people have been able to grow northern high bush varieties in Utah if they use special potting mix and water. So I at least climate wise this has potential.
    As far as grafting blue berries there is not that much info out there because they are commonly propagated by softwood cuttings.
    Does anybody have any tips on grafting blue berries?
    What are the best techniques to graft them, do you use dormant or active scions i.e whip versus t-budding?
    Last does anybody sell blueberry scions?
    I think for me the best approach may be to order a tree and get it in the ground asap. Wait to see how well it grows here and then if it is doing ok, try chip budding it in late summer. Even though not that many people successfully grow blue berries around here the big box stores like Lowes and home Depot always seem to be stocked up ready to unload their inventory on another hapless dreamer.

  • 13 years ago

    Thanks Brady, i'm in CA though. Does that mean i'm SOL on Sweetcrisp? I did some research on this forum and looked at berries Unlimited's site and did not see Sweetcrisp only Sweetheart. Is that mabey another name for it? Thanks for any help

  • 13 years ago

    greg,
    I found this video.It looks like he is doing it during early Spring when things are still dormant.Simple cleft graft.
    I have quite a few Northern Highbush that I collect scion wood from during the Winter and save.So I can send some if wanted.
    Also,the Sparkleberry seeds from Sheffield's Seed Company,I think come from plants in North Carolina,so they should work if using them.
    gator_rider2,
    That's good.I hope they work.I'm still waiting for mine. Brady

    Here is a link that might be useful: Blueberry Grafting

  • 13 years ago

    Thanks Brady, i'm in CA though. Does that mean i'm SOL on Sweetcrisp? I did some research on this forum and looked at berries Unlimited's site and did not see Sweetcrisp only Sweetheart. Is that mabey another name for it? Thanks for any help

  • 13 years ago

    yawiney,
    Connie Horner told me she couldn't ship to me,but Just Fruits?They can't send to California?That is restrictive.
    Sweetheart is a different plant than Sweetcrisp.SH is a Northern,while SC is Southern Highbush.
    I'll keep looking for sources. Brady

  • 13 years ago

    I didn't mean to re-post. I was using the go back arrow.

  • 13 years ago

    Okay yawiney,this may be a positive lead.Berriesplus is selling Sweetcrisp and I didn't see any restrictions to where it could go.
    Also maybe try Cornelius Farms. Brady

    Here is a link that might be useful: berriesplus Sweetcrisp

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you much Brady. Just ordered 4 from Berries Plus. Hopefully there's no prblem.