Since I grow blueberries in Madison, Wisconsin, my comments might not apply to your winter crop. Or, they might. I don't think that the night time lows in the 40's will affect the quality of the fruit, however, the condition of the leaves, and the amount of daily sunlight make or break your crop. The sugar is produced in the leaves, so the leaves must be deep green and healthy to support the fruit. Long sunny days are best, which is exactly what we have in the summer, here in Wisconsin. You can tolerate some overcast weather, but there must be at least 4 days a week of sunny weather for the crop to ripen into quality fruit.

Unless you have warm weather varieties, it might now just be getting cool enough for the plants to bear fruit.

girlbug:

In your climate the low chill varieties can and often do stay green all winter. Some like Emerald, Jewel, Sharpblue, and Sapphire, will yield two, or more, crops a year.

Right now I have Emerald, Jewel, and Southmoon blooming in my greenhouse. About six other varieties have big swelling fruit buds.

The chilling requirement on most of these is about 200 hrs. My highest chiller is Star at about 400.

In your climate it is best to grow these types evergreen. If they do lose their leaves in winter they may not grow enough new leaves fast enough in spring to make high quality fruit. The ways to keep them evergreen in fall are to keep the fertility up and, if needed, prune after harvest. If you prune after harvest and apply nitrogen they will regrow fruiting shoots and healthy new leaves.

My early spring berries make good quality with highs in the 80s. I'd place yours in a warm sunny spot.

Just got a sunshine blue myself, supposedly its an evergreen variety, if that helps any.

I wouldn't think it'll produce any pollen, and therefore viable fruit but I'm just guessing there.

Wait and see I guess. :)

Nick

Thanks for the replies. The plants haven't lost their leaves yet. Once this week's heavy rains end, hopefully we're in for a week or more of sunshine. I'm crossing my fingers that there will be enough to ripen a winter crop of blueberries. What a treat!

Just wondering if anybody has advice for potting up bareroot blueberry plants, what soil mix is best, etc? I made an order last week from Finch Blueberry Nursery in NC, asked for ASAP ship date, planning to keep them on the sunporch until next Spring.

Half peatmoss, half sandy garden soil sound OK? What about straight Landscape Mix?

Not expecting any fruit from these $1.40 babies...maybe next year. Really never thought about winter blueberries before. Interesting idea, growing them indoors.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finch Nursery