Description and characteristics of high-bush blueberries Elizabeth: growing features

History of selection and description of Elizabeth blueberry

Growing blueberries in your own garden is not very troublesome if you choose the right variety. Elizabeth is a variety obtained from wild species. Obtained through selection in North America. Breeding was done by Vernon Coville.

Katharine and Jersey were chosen as the ancestors. As a result of crossing, they obtained the appearance of tall blueberries. The hybrid does not need pollinators, as it has male and female inflorescences.

Garden blueberry Elizabeth spreading beauty. The branches are erect, the stems are strong. An adult plant reaches a height of 1.8-2 meters. The variety is frost-resistant, with a strong immune system.

The appearance is similar to its relatives: light pink flowers, weak root system, the presence of mycelium, neatly shaped leaves.

The crown is subject to thickening. The first fruits can be collected in early August. Maturation occurs in stages.

Due to this, the harvest is extended for 5-6 weeks after the first berries ripen. On average, up to 5-6 kg can be collected from one mature bush.

Collection and storage of blueberries

The harvest is divided into several stages, because the berries do not ripen at the same time. They are collected manually and mechanically. It is recommended to pick fruits intended for transportation or sale by hand . If time is more valuable, then assembly and sorting is carried out by machine.

Did you know? During World War II, British pilots' diets included blueberry jam to improve vision during night missions.

After harvesting, the quality of the fruit gradually deteriorates. You can slow down this process by placing the berries in certain conditions. They can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 10 weeks.

Taste qualities of berries

Elizabeth fruits do not differ from their relatives in color or shape. These are round berries, slightly flattened in the center.

They are formed on a brush, in which there are up to 6-8 pieces. The brush is loose, which makes it easy to harvest. In this case, the blueberries do not fall off after ripening, but wait to be picked.

The flesh is tight. The skin is thin. When bitten, juicy blueberries surprise you with their delicate sweet taste and aroma.

To improve taste, it is recommended to leave the berries until the first frost. Then they acquire an extraordinary aftertaste.

Propagation of garden blueberries

Blueberries can be propagated in three ways: seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush. In the first case, seeds are collected from healthy bushes and dried a little. With the arrival of autumn, the seeds can be sown in a training plot where the soil with acidic peat has been dug up in advance. Seeds can also be sown in the spring, but to do this they must be kept in the refrigerator for 3 months. It is advisable to sow the seeds to a depth of 1 cm. Sprinkle the top with peat mixed with sand. For seed germination, it is necessary to maintain temperature conditions, regular watering and loosening of the soil. It is best to fertilize the soil with nitrogen fertilizers. After 2 years, the seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent location. The first harvest will appear after 7-8 years.

The second method of blueberry propagation is much more effective and reliable. To do this, it is necessary to use plant cuttings that form in autumn or early spring. The length of the cutting should be between 8-15 cm. To ensure that the root system is formed as early as possible and growth begins, choose a thicker shoot. In order for the shoot to take root, it should be kept at a temperature of 1-5°C for a month. Then the cuttings can be planted in the soil and covered with a substrate of peat and sand 5-6 cm thick. With proper care of the cuttings, after 2 years they can be planted in a permanent place.

What conditions does culture require?

The blueberry variety loves warmth and plenty of light. The more shading, the less sweetness in the fruits and the quantitative ratio of the harvest.

Elizabeth is a gentle type of culture. Therefore, when selecting a site for planting, check for drafts and underground sources of moisture.

Selected for a given species and neighbors. It is not advisable to plant vegetables nearby. Cereals and legumes. The best neighboring crops will be other types of blueberries.

It is important to remember that the increase in yield depends directly on nearby plants with the same flowering period. Suitable:

• Jersey and Catherine;
• Darrow and Bluecrop;
• Nelson.

Another requirement that can be called standard for all heathers (especially blueberry varieties) is acidic soil. Acidity cannot be lower or higher than 3.5-4.5 units.

The level is maintained at the same level due to a fungus on the roots of the species - mycelium. When it dies, the blueberries also wither.

Blueberries Elisabeth: variety description, planting and care, photos + reviews

Tree-Garden

nursery of fruit crops in Krasnodar
Contents:

• History and geography of the variety
• Blueberries Elizabeth: variety description
• Landing
• Care after landing
• Pests and diseases

The Elizabeth blueberry variety, according to the description, is one of the best. What did he become famous for? What are the main advantages of the variety? Does it have any disadvantages?

History and geography

The beneficial properties of blueberries, which have delicious berries, have been known for a long time. Before this, plants were found only in the wild. Elizabeth Coleman White, the daughter of an American cranberry farmer, became interested in blueberries and set herself the goal of cultivating the bush and creating varieties with large, tasty and aromatic fruits suitable for commercial sale. Elizabeth devoted her entire life to her favorite work. She searched for plants with the largest berries in the wild and planted them on her plantation, and also attracted local residents to the search, promising a generous reward. She gave the berry pickers a wooden sign with a hole. If they found a blueberry bush with a berry that did not fit into this hole, then they marked this bush. But still, there was no plant that absolutely met the girl’s requirements and expectations.

“Blueberry Queen” Elizabeth’s dream was realized only after meeting with botanist Frederick Coville, who was involved in breeding. Together, thanks to the combination of their experience (Frederick was a scientist, and Elizabeth a farmer) and perseverance, they achieved success. The first variety capable of propagation by cuttings was Rubel, named after the first and last name of the local resident who found it in the wild. Interesting! According to her will, Elizabeth White's ashes were scattered over her blueberry plantation. Much later, Coville managed to obtain a variety that surpassed its “parents” in many qualities. Frederick named the new variety in honor of Elizabeth White, the “blueberry queen.” The breeder first crossed the Catherine and Jersey varieties by cross-pollination, and then pollinated the resulting plants with the Scammel variety. The resulting seeds gave rise to a new variety - Elizabeth. The first fruits went on sale in 1966, but the variety was standardized only in the 60s of the twentieth century.

Elizabeth blueberries are the result of crossing Catherine, Jersey and Scammell Elizabeth blueberries are grown in the USA, Poland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. But despite the fact that the variety has become widespread throughout the world, it is not in the State Register of the Russian Federation.

Blueberries Elizabeth: variety description

Elizabeth belongs to the tall plants. The bush grows up to 1.7 meters in height and up to 1.5 in width, and has a decorative appearance. Raised habit. The branches are of medium thickness, spreading, and can intertwine with each other, forming a thickened crown. On young plants, the shoots are green with a reddish tint; as they mature, they acquire a light brown color. The leaves are medium in size and have the shape of an oval pointed at the ends. In summer they are dark green with a clearly visible bluish bloom and a faint glossy sheen, and in autumn they change color to yellowish-red. Bell-shaped flowers are collected in a racemose inflorescence. They are white with a pinkish tint, 1-1.5 centimeters in length.

Elizabeth blueberries: description of the variety Elizabeth is a medium-late variety, which is characterized by a long, extended ripening period (4-6 weeks). It grows well and bears fruit in central Russia. But sometimes it doesn’t ripen completely. The bushes begin to bear fruit with medium varieties (in August), and end with late varieties (in October). And if there were frosts in the region, then part of the harvest will be lost. Flowering lasts about 10 days, at the end of April or beginning of May. Attention! Elizabeth is a very good pollinator for other varieties.

Blueberries of the Elizabeth variety are an excellent pollinator. Elizabeth garden blueberries have round, slightly flattened fruits with juicy and dense pulp. The bright blue berries (unripe ones are colored a reddish-milky color) are distinguished by their rather large size - the diameter is 2-2.2 (sometimes 2.5) millimeters and weighs about 3 grams. According to tasters, this variety is one of the sweetest. In addition, the berries are famous for their exquisite colorful taste, which is characterized by notes of currants, blueberries, grapes, and a rich aroma. Berries (5-10 pieces each) are collected in loose clusters. Attention! Elizabeth belongs to the self-pollinating varieties. But if you plant other varieties (Jersey, Nelson, Bluecrop) near it, you will produce significantly more berries. The first harvest can be harvested from the third or fourth year. Annually produces 4-6 (under favorable weather conditions 7-8) kilograms of berries.

Early fruiting blueberry variety Elizabeth Attention! So that the shrub can gain strength, it is recommended to pick off all the flowers in the first year of flowering.

Pros and cons of the variety

The Elizabeth blueberry variety is characterized by many advantages:

• high frost resistance (up to 30-32 degrees below zero), resistance to temperature changes;
• resistance to pests and diseases;
• early pregnancy, high productivity;
• self-fertile - the variety does not require pollinators;
• large size of fruits, which are characterized by an optimal balance of acid and sugar, which eliminates astringency and cloying;
• rich multifaceted taste with a persistent aftertaste;
• extended fruiting and simultaneous ripening of berries in the cluster;
• no shedding after ripening (even overripe berries remain on the branches);
• dry tear-off and presentation of fruits;
• good transportability and long-term storage.

Attention! Elizabeth berries are considered the best for fresh consumption due to their increased sweetness and strong aroma.

Elizabeth blueberries: description of the variety The fruits ripen unevenly, which allows you to enjoy the great taste for a long time. But at the same time, this property can be considered a disadvantage, since it takes 1.5 months to harvest the crop. Disadvantages of the variety:

• High demands on care and growing conditions are the main disadvantage of the variety. Therefore, only experienced specialists will be able to grow blueberries.
• Late maturation. Elizabeth is best suited for regions from Moscow and south to Rostov. In the Moscow region, part of the harvest is often covered in snow.
• The variety is used only in garden conditions. For industry, it takes too long to collect it, and besides, it does not always ripen. And the yield is lower than that of other industrial varieties.

Important! Elizabeth is susceptible to reverse frosts during the flowering period, which can reduce yields by 80% due to freezing of flowers or the formation of barren flowers.

Landing

Depending on the region, seedlings can be planted either in spring (before buds begin to bloom) or in autumn (after leaves fall off). Before you start planting Elizabeth blueberries, you should choose a comfortable place for it. It should be located on a hill, well lit by sunlight, and protected from strong winds and drafts. With a lack of light, the berries become smaller, their sugar content decreases, and the winter hardiness of the shrub is weakened. Attention! Elizabeth is very picky about soil acidity. The indicator should be between 3.5-4.5. With a lack of acidity, the plant reacts very strongly, chlorositis, and for a long time then cannot restore normal growth and development. Planting work begins with preparing a hole about 40 cm deep and up to 80 cm wide. A substrate made from peat (40%), sawdust (40%) and sand (20%) is poured inside; a young blueberry plant is planted in it, spreading the roots . The root collar should be buried 4-5 centimeters. The distance between seedlings is up to 1.5 meters. Important! After planting, the tree trunk circle must be mulched with sawdust, pine needles or coniferous tree bark.

Planting blueberries Elizabeth

Care after landing

Elizabeth is very capricious. Therefore, she should be provided with high-quality care, which includes watering, fertilizing and pruning. Important! It is strictly forbidden to loosen blueberries and feed them with organic matter. Elizabeth, like other blueberry varieties, is a moisture-loving plant, but it does not tolerate stagnant moisture. Therefore, one should not allow the soil to dry out or become waterlogged. In the absence of rain, watering is carried out 2 times a week, 20 liters of water per bush (10 in the morning and 10 in the evening). In the southern regions - twice a day, 3-5 liters. better through a drip irrigation system. Proper feeding is important. Plants are fertilized from the third year of life and only with mineral fertilizers. In spring, it is recommended to apply powdered sulfur (40-100 grams per bush). Ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate and water-soluble phosphorus fertilizers are also used. Ammonium sulfate is applied in several doses in spring and June. Attention! Nitrogen fertilizers are applied no later than mid-summer. Otherwise, the frost resistance of the plant will significantly decrease. During the ripening of the crop, blueberries are fed with potassium salts, and potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are applied in the fall and early spring. From the second year after planting, sanitary pruning begins - broken and diseased branches are removed, as well as four-year-old and older branches, since their yield is greatly reduced. Formative pruning begins from the third year of life. Four fruiting shoots and four young branches are left. Important! Be sure to remove excess growth in the summer to prevent thickening of the bushes and the development of fungal diseases. There is no need to cover the shrub for the winter. It is enough to pour a thick layer of mulch. In regions with severe frosts and low snow cover, you can cover it with an agrospan hut (the fabric is stuffed onto a slatted frame with ventilation at the bottom).

Pests and diseases

Elizabeth has a strong immune system, thanks to which she successfully resists most diseases, including late blight, stem cancer and root rot. But with high humidity it can be susceptible to cytosporosis, anthracnose and spotting (red, septoria, phyllostictosis).

Root rot of blueberries With cytosporosis, the branches become covered with red-brown spots. It is necessary to remove damaged areas, whiten the trunk with lime and copper sulfate and fertilize the soil. Anthracnose attacks the leaves and then spreads to the berries. It is impossible to cure the disease. Therefore, you should regularly inspect the bushes and remove affected branches. With red spotting, red spots first appear on the leaves, then the leaves turn yellow and die. Septoria blight is also characterized by red spots and a purple border, but the leaves do not turn yellow, but wither and fall off. With phyllostictosis spotting, the leaves turn brown, then turn yellow and fall off. All fungal diseases can be perfectly treated in winter and early spring with fungicides.

The main diseases of blueberries Elizabeth Spot are treated with 1% Bordeaux mixture, HOM and Abiga-Peak solutions. For preventive purposes in the spring, the bush is sprayed with copper-containing preparations (for example, Switch, Skor, Euparen, Horus, Medox). Blueberries can also suffer from tracheomycotic wilt, in which the buds turn black, the leaves wither, the stem dries out, and the root system dies. To save the bush, it should be treated with Fitosporin-M at the first signs of damage. As a preventative measure, the bushes are sprayed with foundationazole. The most common pests of Elizabeth are the flat leaf roller, blueberry moth, peat jaundice, and heather lancet. To get rid of them, plants are treated with Kemifos or Fufanon.

Elizabeth blueberries - benefits and beauty If you provide Elizabeth with the necessary conditions, then she will bear fruit for 50-60 years. Let it grow and bear fruit! Your nursery “Tree-Garden”

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

There are no plants that have only positive traits when characterized. Elizabeth blueberries have more pros than cons. Nevertheless, you should know about the disadvantages in advance:

Positive and negative points

Can be transported and preserved well

The berries do not fall off or burst after ripening

Strong immune system, resists most diseases (including stem cancer)

Not afraid of sudden climate and temperature changes

Late flowering and rapid ripening

Frost resistance

Sweet berry taste with a blueberry-grape aftertaste

Berry picking stages last 4-6 weeks

With abundant flowering, there is no guarantee that all the flowers will produce berries. Frequent barren flowers are observed

Fresh Elizabeth berries cannot be stored for long periods of time.

Interesting fact! Despite the fact that the blueberry variety is quite young, the plant is already about. Before frost, the foliage completely falls off the bush. If you didn’t have time to harvest, but saw Elizabeth flying around, get to work urgently.

Characteristics of the variety

The Elizabeth blueberry variety has balanced characteristics, but it cannot be called ideal. Despite the excellent taste and good yield, due to the long ripening time, it does not always have time to ripen. In addition, there are certain problems with storing berries.

Main advantages

The benefits of highbush blueberry include:

1. High frost resistance, corresponding to zone 4-5 (the plant can tolerate frosts down to -32 ° C).
2. Acceptable early fruiting - blueberries reach nominal yield (about 5 kg of berries per bush) already in the 5th year of life. If you use the right agricultural technology, you can get the first rich harvest already in the 4th year.
3. Excellent transportability. Elizabeth blueberries are quite dense, have a dry release and do not drip during transportation.
4. Sweet taste, devoid of cloying with notes of blueberries and grapes.

The variety is also resistant to most fungal diseases.

Flowering period, ripening time, yield

Flowering occurs in late April or early May. Its duration is about 10 days. If return frosts occur during this period, the yield may decrease. This is one of the significant disadvantages of the variety.

Important! Sometimes the yield reduction reaches 80%.

Ripening time is up to 4-5 months. Harvests are harvested in August, but fruiting may take several weeks (until mid-September). Here, a lot depends on the correct agricultural technology and weather conditions.

The yield ranges from 4 to 6 kg per plant. The ripening of the berries is almost simultaneous.

Attention! Theoretically, the yield can be increased to 7-8 kg per bush. To do this, it is necessary to follow the growing rules, as well as use protection from spring frosts, for example, in the form of temporary shelters (greenhouses).

When grown in the southern regions, this problem does not exist. However, large daily temperature fluctuations, even if they do not lead to freezing of flowers, can cause the appearance of barren flowers.

Area of ​​application of berries

The main area of ​​application for Elizabeth blueberries is processing and preservation. From them, preserves, sauces, jams and syrups are obtained. Fresh and canned berries are used as a filling for baked goods. Open cakes with berries of this crop are especially popular.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The Elizabeth blueberry variety is resistant to diseases such as late blight, root rot and stem cancer.

Plant sap is a fairly active chemical medium, so the number of crop pests is relatively small.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of Elizabeth blueberries include:

• rapid fruiting, occurring in 4-5 years of life;
• excellent dessert taste;
• uniform ripening of berries;
• high frost resistance;
• resistance to fungal diseases;
• dry picking of berries;
• no abscission during ripening.

The disadvantages of this variety are:

• relatively short shelf life;
• late ripening – in early autumn the fruits do not have time to ripen;
• despite high frost resistance, return frosts can affect yields;
• relatively complex agricultural technology.

However, the last drawback is common to all varieties of this plant. Based on the totality of its characteristics, Elizabeth blueberries are a good variety, which is very popular among gardeners who grow berries.

How to plant on the site

It is better and easier to purchase a seedling from a nursery. Check the strength and integrity of the branches and mycelium (lump of soil on the roots). During the preparation of the planting hole, the lump of earth must be moistened.

Self-prepared sprouts are harvested in spring or autumn. But they follow the storage rules: warmth, moisturizing the process, the presence of light.

Also, before planting, check the condition of the soil and apply fertilizers.

Do you carefully inspect the seedling when purchasing?

Of course not

Selecting and preparing a place for blueberries

Initially, a place is selected for planting the Elizabeth seedling. The presence of sunlight, proximity and shading are taken into account.

Only after this we begin to prepare the planting hole. At least 15-21 days must pass before blueberries are planted. During this time, the soil will be saturated with useful substances. Acidity will return to normal.

It’s worth saying right away: folk remedies or the method of acidifying with battery fluid are not suitable for the first acidification. Such methods are used for minor deviations from the norm.

Timing and technology of planting seedlings

Elizabeth blueberries can be planted either in the spring (after stable warmth) in May, or in the fall (before the first frost) in September. The variety is recommended to be planted in open ground in the fall.

This makes it possible to gain strong immunity and make the shrub more resistant to diseases and freezing.

For beginners, it is better to start planting in the spring after the weather warms up. During this period, even weak seedlings will take root. The transfer method is used.

The planting pit is prepared according to a certain scheme:

• row spacing – 1.8 – 2 meters;
• diameter – 1 m;
• depth – 60-70 cm;
• presence of a drainage layer of 15 cm.

Pebbles, crushed stone, sawdust, gravel or crushed brick are used for drainage. The soil mixture is prepared in advance. The blueberry seedling is lowered into the hole along with a lump of earth, already moistened.

And they fill it with substrate, making a mound near the trunk. The next step is compaction and mulching. Tree bark, wood chips or straw are used as mulch. The layer is 5-7 cm.

Landing Features

The key to a strong plant and a bountiful harvest, in addition to weather conditions, is the correct choice of planting material, a place for the future seedling, and the timing of its planting. Compliance with planting technologies is of no small importance.

Selection of planting material

Most often, planting material is purchased from specialized nurseries or garden centers. Blueberry seedlings with a closed root system are usually sold. It is important that the soil in which the roots are located is not too dry.

Usually blueberry seedlings are sold in containers with a closed root system

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the above-ground part of the plant: the condition of the leaves, shoots, and bark. If the shoots or leaves dry out, have some spots or are simply lethargic, then you should refrain from purchasing. Most likely, such a plant will suffer for a long time and eventually die.

If you already have an Elizabeth blueberry bush on your property or someone you know, you can get the planting material yourself.

Seed propagation method

In this case, the seeds are extracted from well-ripened berries. To do this, the fruits are collected and kneaded, the resulting pulp must be washed well: it is placed in a container with water and mixed thoroughly. Only the seeds that have settled to the bottom are suitable for planting; they are removed and dried. After this, they can be folded into fabric or paper bags and stored until spring in a cool, dry place. 3 months before the intended planting, the bags are transferred to the refrigerator for stratification.

Blueberry seeds are extracted from well-ripened berries

Also, seeds can be planted in boxes immediately after receiving. August is considered the most favorable time for sowing. The soil for blueberries is acidified in advance and mixed with peat. The seeds are planted to a depth of about 1 cm, sprinkled with a mixture of sand and peat on top, and the box is covered with film. Watering is carried out using a spray bottle.

It is recommended to transplant the emerging sprouts into separate containers after the appearance of 2–3 true leaves, and planting in open ground is carried out in the 2nd year after planting.

The main negative feature of this method of reproduction is the speed of fruiting. The first harvest from plants grown from seeds can only be obtained after 7–8 years.

Vegetative methods of propagation

Blueberries obtained vegetatively usually begin to bear fruit in the 4th year.

1. Reproduction by cuttings: this method is considered the most promising. In autumn or early spring, the middle or apical parts of last year's strongest mature shoots with a diameter of 0.5–1.2 cm are selected for cuttings. The length of the cutting is from 8 to 15 cm. Shoots on which there are a large number of flower buds are not suitable for propagation. Keeping the cuttings for a month at a temperature of 1–5°C significantly increases the chances of rooting. Planting is carried out in a light substrate mixed with peat. The seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in open ground in the second year.

   The apical parts of ripened blueberry shoots become cuttings for propagation.

2. Obtaining layering is one of the most common methods of blueberry propagation. To do this, several shoots are bent to the ground, they are secured with special pins and sprinkled with soil. After a few years, the shoots develop their own root system, after which the cuttings are separated from the mother plant and replanted.
3. By dividing the plant, a blueberry bush is dug up, after which the root system is divided so that each part has a rhizome of at least 7 cm. The cutting areas are treated with crushed coal, and new bushes are planted.

Blueberry planting technique

Garden blueberries can be planted in spring or autumn. In addition, you can focus on the condition of the seedling:

• thin and weak plants are planted in spring;
• stronger specimens will withstand planting in the autumn.

It is preferable to plant bushes in the spring before the buds swell. Over the summer, young plants have time to grow stronger and take root well.

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To plant garden blueberries, choose sunny places with protection from the wind. It should be remembered that the plant does not like heavy and swampy soils, so it is planted on hills so that the shade from trees and larger shrubs does not cover the blueberries. The soil for blueberries should be acidic, moisture- and breathable. To do this, planting holes are filled with a substrate to which peat, soil from coniferous plants or river sand are added in a ratio of 1:3. Optimal acidity pH 3.5–4.5. It is also necessary to add complex mineral fertilizers to the soil. Organic fertilizers are not added, as the soil becomes alkalized.

Standard pits for planting are prepared in advance:

• depth - 0.6 m;
• diameter - 0.1 m;
• landing step - at least 2 m.

Planting process:

1. A drainage layer of pebbles, crushed stone, crushed brick or gravel is placed at the bottom of the pit.
2. Before planting, containers with seedlings are placed in water or spilled well so that the earthen ball can be removed without damaging the delicate root system.
3. Then the lump is carefully lowered into the hole, after which it is covered with the prepared substrate, compacting it.
4. The tree trunk circle is mulched with sawdust, tree bark, wood chips, and straw. A layer of mulch is made at least 5 cm to prevent weathering of the soil, overgrowing of the tree trunk with weeds, and loss of moisture.

After planting, the tree trunk circle must be covered with mulch material to avoid moisture loss

Video: soil preparation and planting blueberries

Features of plant care

The better and better the care for blueberries, the greater the chance of an early harvest while maintaining taste.

It consists of mulching, fertilizing, watering, loosening. And mandatory pruning. It remains to find out which substances are suitable for Elizabeth and the specifics of planning procedures.

Watering mode

Not all blueberry varieties need frequent watering, but Elizabeth wasn't one of them. For ripening and intensity of taste, the bush should be watered at least 2 times a week.

In dry and hot weather, the number of waterings is increased, and additional spraying is carried out with a spray bottle.

Stagnation of water in the root zone is not allowed, as it will lead to root rot and mold formation.

The watering scheme for Elizabeth blueberries is as follows:

• calculation of water by age and division into two procedures;
• watering in the morning;
• after 16.00 spraying;
• in the evening, closer to sunset, pour in a second portion of liquid.

The water is pre-settled. It is advisable to take rain. The first irrigation should take place between 5.30 and 6.30 to prevent burns.

Do you use settled water to water blueberries?

Not really

Top dressing

The procedure should be planned three times a season. Preliminarily check the condition of the soil, carefully study the means for acidification. Some drugs, in addition to increasing acidity, serve as fertilizers.

The number of applications depends on the age of the blueberries:

Pruning and crown formation

There are several types of pruning. Sanitation is required twice a year. Timing: early spring and autumn before wintering. Sections and saw cuts are treated with any disinfectant.

In addition to sanitary treatments, formative pruning is planned. The procedure is aimed at forming the crown, eliminating thickening, and redistributing nutrients.

Carry out 5 years from the moment the seedling is planted. Remove old, broken branches. Work begins with the lower branches to obtain a ball shape.

Loosening and mulching the soil

Loosening the soil in the root zone is carried out at least 2 times a week. Time: after watering. This is a must, as it helps improve the flow of air to the roots, as well as nutrients.

As mulch, choose a peat mixture or natural material (hay, mown grass, spruce branches).

It is recommended to mulch the area around the root once a year. If necessary, carry out twice: in spring and autumn.

Treatment against diseases and pests

Elizabeth's strong immunity allows the plant to resist fungal infections. At the same time, the gardener needs to carry out prevention: pruning, treatment with fungicides in early spring and autumn.

During the growing season, blueberries can be “visited” by mites, aphids, gall midges, scale insects and others. Standard methods of protection - chemical preparations - will help in the fight against insects.

Controlling soil acidity

Maintaining acidity at the desired level is the main task of a gardener who wants to get a good blueberry harvest.

The state of the mycelium (root fungus), which serves as a processor of useful substances for the shrub, depends on the pH level. Acidity level for Elizabeth blueberries: 3.5 – 4.5 units.

Only drugs are used for acidification. Methods for diluting acid (acetic or malic), lemon juice, etc. are options for emergency resuscitation. You cannot get carried away with the methods, as there is a risk of killing the root system.

Wintering

Elizabeth blueberries have red bark. This is direct evidence that the plant is frost-resistant and will withstand the cold winter.

But you shouldn’t rely on immunity. Therefore, in preparation for wintering, it is recommended to insulate the root zone. In the Northern regions, make a frame with covering material.

Pests and diseases

Blueberries of the Elizabeth variety are highly resistant to all known pests and diseases. Timely sanitary thinning of the crown reduces the risk of infection with fungal diseases to a minimum.

The most common blueberry diseases include berry mummification, anthracnose, gray rot, and white leaf spot. The methods for combating all fungal infections are identical: regular thinning of the crown, spraying the bush with a fungicide, burning the affected parts of the plant.

Among the pests, fruit moths, bud mites, leaf gall midges, black aphids, flower beetles, and scale insects are particularly dangerous. Insects are destroyed with chemicals, affected branches and berries are removed.

What year does it bear fruit after planting?

Reproduction of Elizabeth blueberries involves three methods: cuttings, dividing the bush, and shoots. It is advisable to plant the variety in the form of 2-year-old seedlings or small bushes that have reached three years old.

Within a year you can get a harvest. The number of berries will be small, but you can try an exotic plant.

The declared weight (5-7 kg) from one bush, with proper planning and carrying out agrotechnical work, is estimated at 4-5 years of life of the bush.

Planting a plant

Blueberry Toro

It is better to plant seedlings in the spring, so that they become stronger over the summer and can safely withstand winter frosts. But if necessary, planting in the fall is also possible.

When choosing a place in the garden, they give preference to a well-lit area. With a lack of light, the berries become smaller and do not gain any sweetness. Blueberries must be protected from the wind.

Blueberries love soil with an acidity of 3.5 to 4.5 pH. You can take peat soil, sandy loam substrate and rotted leaves with pine mulch. Another option is to buy acidic peat, add fallen leaves or pine needles and a little sand. The soil should be loose and moist. To acidify the soil, if possible, add sulfur.

blueberry bush

The depth of the planting hole is 60 cm. In a row between several bushes, a gap of 1.2-1.5 meters is left. The prepared soil is poured into the hole, no organic matter is added.

The plant is planted before the leaves bloom. Blueberries in a pot should have a closed root system. It is very fragile, and in order not to damage it, before planting, the pot is immersed in water for half an hour, then the seedling is carefully removed and the roots are straightened. Plant in a prepared hole, sprinkle with soil, water and mulch. For mulch, use sawdust (preferably from coniferous trees) or, in extreme cases, straw.

Note! In the fall, they plant according to the same rules, but at the same time they do pruning: weakened branches are removed, and the rest are shortened by half. Pruning is applied only to one-year-old seedlings.

Reproduction methods

Elizabeth blueberries can be propagated both by seed and vegetative methods. The fastest and most effective second option:

• layering;
• dividing the bush;
• cuttings

Seeds are usually germinated to obtain a new hybrid. The technique does not allow preserving maternal qualities, and the bush begins to bear fruit 6-7 years after cultivation.

Features of reproduction

Propagated by green cuttings. An adult plant forms a large number of shoots of a red hue, which become woody with age and branch strongly to the side and in depth. The seed propagation method is allowed, but such bushes will produce fruits in 7-8 years of growth.

Vegetative methods of propagation are considered the most optimal:

1. Cuttings, through selection and rooting of the apical part of last year's shoots into pots. Ready seedlings are transferred to a permanent place in the second year.
2. Reproduction by layering from the mother plant through rooting of the shoot into the ground.
3. Dividing an adult bush in half.

Reviews about the variety

Polina Sergeevna . I have loved blueberries since childhood. Therefore, I planted several species on my site. Including Elizabeth. The taste of the berries is sharply different from other varieties: blueberries with grapes. I can’t call care difficult. The main thing is to monitor the acidity. For convenience, I planted the bushes in separate containers.

Valery Gavrilovich . I planted blueberries 4 years ago. I didn't regret it. Elizabeth is a truly unique berry. I can call the care minimal, since I carry out treatments against pests and diseases throughout the entire territory of the site. Watering takes a lot of time, but the result is impressive. This year I collected 5 kg from one bush.

Treatment against diseases and pests

The fight against diseases comes down to preventive measures. It is important not to allow excess moisture in the soil, otherwise this will lead to the development of anthracnose. The causative agent of the disease is gray botrytis fungi. If it affects the leaves (characteristic spotting appears), then there is no point in treating it. All damaged areas are cut off and burned. To prevent the disease, you can spray the bush in early spring.

Suitable means are:

• Euparen.
• Switch.
• Speed

Preparations containing copper are suitable. The variety can resist pests. Too caustic sap in the tissue repels most of them. However, the common aphid poses a threat to blueberries. You can find it on the bottom of the leaves. Given the fertility and resilience of pests, chemicals are used to combat them.

These include:

• Tornado.
• Tanrek.
• Bayer Advanced.

The effect of their use lasts for several weeks.

Rules of care

Care is no less important for Elizabeth blueberries; it includes: watering, mulching, and preparing for winter. Gardeners present their proven schemes of preventive and agricultural care.

Watering mode

The growing season of the Elizabeth variety requires plenty of drinking; moisture is needed for all parts of the fertile plant. Water the seedling 2 times a week, one bucket is poured in the morning before full sunrise, the second in the evening after 6 pm. The main thing is to monitor the moisture; if there is enough of it, then you need to skip the next irrigation.

Mulching

The merit of mulching is to protect the tree from weeds, moisture loss and soil weathering. The most proven materials are used: straw, bark, sawdust, wood chips.

See also

Characteristics and description of Bonus blueberries, planting and care rules

Read

Preparing for winter

In the first years, young shrubs of the Elizabeth variety require additional care for winter. It is important to insulate the root system; for this, weed, water and apply a new layer of mulch. Also, before severe frosts, cover the plant with agrofibre in several layers and tie it up.