Same here, Kuffelcreek. I've got Sharpblue, Misty, and Jubilee all starting to flower. This is my 1st year growing them, so I'm pretty jazzed about it.

From what I gather from other California blueberry blueberry growers is that the flowers will hang on all winter and possibly grow small berries that don't ripen. I am pulling the flowers off my plants witch have been flowering as well. I hope it doesnt effect the spring bloom. We will have to see what happens come summer!

Shoot, I'm happy that they're just still alive. Previously I would plant blueberries in the ground in peat moss, and they would die a slow, painful death, dropping a leaf at a time over a year or so (The Blueberry Slayer was my nickname). Since then I've switched to a container with Ed Laivo's potting recipe, and bought a cheap PH meter to see if I added enough acid. Now they act like the wild weeds they are.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Blueberries in Containers

Over here on the other coast our blueberries bloom all winter. The bees are all over them for the winter months and this ensures a heavy crop. Best to leave the blossoms on. I have never had them set green berries during the winter but your conditions may differ from ours. Blueberries are a big crop here encouraged and financed by the Feds to suppliment the loss of tobacco growing by area farmers.

Next the Feds will have to subsidize northern blueberry farmers to make up for the losses caused by farmers in California and Carolina growing three crops of blueberries year round.

We were teased by one or two berries off the bushes last summer, so we're looking forward to a real crop. The blueberries in the supermarket here were horrible- either unripe or mushy, with no taste (just like the apples). They weren't cheap either...

In Thousand oaks(so Cal) I filled my newly raised planter with 1/2 coffe grounds, 1/6 compost, 1/3 dirt. I planted 5 blueberry plants that I got from a local Albertsons and 15 seedlings from ebay. I don't know what type they are, but the ones from albertsons all have new leaves. The ebay sticks don't look like they are going to make it. Bummer.

A very large Blue berry has been growing healthy and always produce a lot of fruits very year, we have not picked them and they dropped down to the group making the area very dirty. We don't do how to take the advantage of them, or how to keep them in use. I want to hear any opinion, or story on how you eat make dry food etc...I am waiting for your suggestion.

Congratulations!

I'm going to transplant the two plants we have in half-barrels (Sunshine Blue and Oneal) to the garden. How much sun do yours get? I'm thinking of putting them in a space in front of a short retaining wall where they will get sun all day (a hot spot in summer).

I've used cottonseed meal for acid-loving plants with good success. At least our Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) seems very happy. I just give it a little in the early spring every year. I think I will try that in lieu of peat moss in the ground.

Jen

Jen:

They can take the heat, so don't worry. They do best in full sun.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. And, welcome to GardenWeb!

Jen

I eat blue berries every morning and evening, about two handfuls on my bowl of Special K's. Yummy, and oh so goood for you.

I like cold cereal, but they are good on oatmeal or cream of wheat too.

Alwong, put the blueberries in an airtight container (like plastic freezer bags or glass jars) and freeze them. It's easy, no cooking required. They will last for at least a year in the freezer.

I transplanted our Sunshine Blue from a large half-barrel into the ground in full sun today. I bought another one and planted it 3 feet away. I used Azalea/Camelia mix I bought from Armstrong, mixed it in well, and mulched with the same. I'm hoping for the best! I selected Sunshine Blue because they are supposedly more tolerant of high pH than other blueberries.

Would like to grow a few other southern highbush varieties if I can find space for them. Blueberries do well in pots, that might be the answer.

Jenn:

Our Sunshine Blue did quite well in a pot during our stinking hot summer and never wilted. It is a pretty bush with small, blue-green foilage and a compact habit. The only ones that had a problem with the heat were Sharpblue, but it comes back like gangbusters in the winter and makes up for any dieback in the summer. Do not hesitate to plant them in pots.

Thanks kuffelcreek. How much sun do yours get? My concern is keeping the pots sufficiently watered in the heat.

Jen

when reading the label it says it likes cross pollination. For my warm area should I cross pollinate with another Misty or add something different?