Blueberry is a bush-type tree that grows lovely edible fruit on it. Most people think Blueberry is a bush, and it can’t be a bonsai.
But actually, Blueberry is a tree that grows its branches and leaves still closely as bushes. So do not misunderstand you can grow blueberry bush as a blueberry bonsai tree. So you can see bonsai Blueberry bushes.
Here you can read How to make a blueberry bonsai bush?
Buy two species of blueberry trees that are potted for at least one year. Plant them in two pots and place them nearly. Always use acidic soil, which has a pH of 4.0 to 5.0 and which has good drainage to plant. Let the plants have full sunlight throughout the day & prune plants after every winter.
Why two species of Blueberry plants?
When someone growing blueberry bonsai trees, the main Expectation is to have some edible blueberry fruits. As you know, to bear fruits, trees must be pollinated.
Blueberry bushes do not have the ability to pollinate themselves, So blueberry bushes want some other variety of blueberry trees for proper pollination and to bear fruits. So when you grow blueberry bushes in the wish of having fruits, you have to plant two or more blueberry bushes near each other.
Also, when you buy blueberry plants, make sure to purchase plants that are older than one or two years because blueberry plants are very hard to grow At a young age
What is the best Blueberry bonsai soil?
Blueberry is a plant that requires acidic soil and Blueberry has more tended to bear blueberry fruits in acidic soil.
As in the first chapter, now you know that blueberry plants need a Ph range of 4.0 to 5.5, and if the soil ph is high than 5.5, that means the soil is not ready to grow blueberry bonsai.
So you have to use some acidic fertilizers to increase the Ph level of soil before planting your blueberry bonsai plant
How to manage ph of the soil for Blueberry
There are verities of methods to lower the Ph level of the soil. Most commonly, Sulfur is used for this purpose, and you can also use sphagnum peat.
But when you use Sulfur for this, you need to add Sulfur to the soil you are going to use for bonsai plants a few months in advance.
This is because it takes months for the Sulfur to dissolve in the soil and change the soil’s pH level. Also, the amount of Sulfur you should use varies with the amount of soil and the pH of your soil.
Read the instructions given by the fertilizer company before use.
If you are in Hurry to grow Blueberry, you can use sphagnum peat moss to change the soil’s ph level.
Here is how to use peat moss.
What will happen if the ph drop or high
When you grow blueberry bushes, the ph level of the soil is a significant factor. Variations of ph from the required amount make many bad symptoms on the blueberry trees. This factor is common for blueberry bonsai trees.
If the ph is too high in the soil, you will be able to observe various differences in the tree.
Mainly, the growing speed of blueberry bonsai will slow down due to the high ph level of the soil. And then leaves will start to reduce the color, and if it continues for a long time, your blueberry bush will die.
So check the ph level of soil before planting your blueberry bush. It will protect your Blueberry bonsai.
How long does it take blueberry bush to bear fruits?
Since I have been a gardener for a long time, I know that how long it takes to bear fruits is common. The time it takes to bear fruits varies with the type of tree, and it normally does not depend on whether it is a bonsai.
Blueberry plants grow slowly, and it takes around 10 years to be mature. Blueberry bonsai takes around 3 years to start bearing fruits after the planting. In the first 3 to 5 years, they do not provide a large harvest. But after 5 years of being mature, Blueberry produces a large amount of harvest.
Above mentioned time periods can be changed with the environmental facts and other nutrient and caring factors. Always take good care of your lovely blueberry bonsai bushes.
How long do Blueberry plants live?
The lifespan of normal trees and bonsai trees did not have a vast difference. This factor is common for blueberry bonsai trees. You can read it here.
Blueberry plants have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years on the ground under normal conditions. Many blueberry trees start to die after 25 – 30 years due to less attention and care. But as a blueberry bonsai bush, you can keep it up to 50 years and more under good caring.
For more: The lifespan of bonsai trees
How to select good blueberry plants
Nowadays, it’s a huge challenge to buy a healthy tree.
You can buy a healthy blueberry bonsai tree from a trusted nursery that is able to give some helping hand after purchase.
When you buy, select blueberry plants that have been potted for at least two years.
Also, make sure that blueberry plants are winter hardy in your zone. I recommend you to buy blueberry plants from your nearest nursery.
Check the plant leaves before buy if there are any discolored leaves.
Also, check the stem of the tree; the stem of the plant should be smooth. If there are wounds and wrinkles on the plant’s stem, it is not suitable to grow as bonsai.
Growing, caring, and pruning blueberry bushes
As you know, growing a blueberry plant is not hard; you have to pay more attention to your blueberry bush. Use well-drained acidic soil, as considered earlier.
If you order plants online, order early to get healthy plants. Many nurseries sell dormant plants, and you have to keep them until the plant is ready to grow in a pot.
Place your Dormant blueberry bush in a dark and cool place until you are ready to plant it. Then before planting some blueberry plant roots in water for at least an hour. Afterwards you can plant it in the pot.
Keep your blueberry bush in a place where it can have good sunlight throughout the day and water the plant in a proper manner.
Pruning
Pruning is a significant process for fruiting plants such as blueberries. You can prune blueberry plants annually.
When you prune your blueberry bush, firstly remove all dead branches, stems, and leaves. Also, keep in mind to do this in the early spring.
Also, if your bonsai tree has many new shoots and old stems, remove dying stems and keep only around 5 stems.
Keep in mind to remove new unwanted stems and keep one or two to replace the old woods.
Root pruning is not specific for blueberry plants, But you can prune blueberry bush roots and add good soil after a few years from the growth. But root pruning will definitely late the harvest.
Conclution
BY GIVING ALL THE REQUIRED CONDITIONS, YOU CAN HAVE A HEALTHY FRUIT-BEARING BLUEBERRY BONSAI BUSH.
People do have a misconception that fruits on bonsai trees are not edible. But you can eat bonsai fruits without any doubt.
Recommended article: Can we eat bonsai fruits? (tasty truth)
