Blueberries Spartan: reviews, photos, yield, growing rules. Highbush blueberry Spartan: description and characteristics of the variety

Description of the berry crop

The blueberry variety Spartan has a number of features that distinguish it from other varieties.

General idea of ​​the variety

Blueberry Spartan is a deciduous perennial shrub 1.5-2 m high. The shoots are powerful and erect.

The leaves are simple, elongated, dark green in color. Young foliage is bright green. In September, the leaves turn red, so the bush takes on a decorative appearance.

The root system is branched and fibrous, lying at a depth of up to 40 cm. The roots grow when the soil warms up and until the end of spring. Then their growth stops and resumes with the onset of autumn. When the temperature drops, the root system stops growing.

The flowers of the Spartan variety are formed at the ends of the shoots. Flower buds are located along the entire length of the shoots. 5-10 flowers appear from each bud.

Berries

Characteristics of the Spartan variety:

• light blue color;
• round shape;
• average weight 1.6 g;
• size 16-18 mm;
• dense pulp.

The berries have a pleasant sour taste and pronounced aroma. Tasting properties are rated at 4.3 points.

Pros and cons of Spartan blueberries

The blueberry variety offers a number of positive and negative aspects. They will help you make your choice.

Characteristic

When choosing a blueberry variety, its main characteristics are taken into account: winter hardiness, fruiting time, disease resistance.

Main advantages

Highbush blueberry Spartan does not tolerate excess moisture in the soil. When caring for a variety, watering must be rationed.

The Spartan variety has high winter hardiness. The bushes can withstand even harsh winters under snow cover. The shoots do not freeze.

Due to their thick skin, the berries can withstand long-term transportation. It is recommended to transport fruits in containers equipped with temperature regulators.

Blueberries need a special soil composition. To obtain a high yield, plants are provided with constant care: pruning, fertilizing and watering.

Flowering period and ripening time

In the middle zone, blueberries bloom in early or mid-June, depending on the climatic conditions of the region. Due to late flowering, the buds are not susceptible to spring frosts.

The Spartan variety is a mid-season variety. The berries begin to ripen in late July - early August.

Yield indicators, fruiting dates

Fruiting of Spartan blueberries is extended over time and is about 2.5 - 3 weeks. During the ripening period, the berries are removed in several approaches, from 3 to 5 times. Harvesting begins when the fruits are fully colored. Berries that ripen in 1-2 approaches have the best presentation and large size.

The yield of the Sparta variety ranges from 4.5 to 6 kg. The first berries begin to be collected 3-4 years after planting the bush. The crop brings a stable harvest for 6-8 years.

Area of ​​application of berries

The Spartan variety is recommended for fresh consumption. Vitamin tea, assorted fruits, and decoration for cakes are prepared from the berries.

According to reviews of Spartan blueberries, the fruits tolerate freezing and drying well. Jams, jams, juices, and compotes are made from them.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Spartan blueberries are resistant to moniliosis, shoot death, and mummification of berries. The variety maintains average resistance to pests.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Advantages of the Spartan variety:

• good taste;
• high transportability of berries;
• self-fertility;
• resistance to diseases.

Disadvantages of Spartan blueberries:

• sensitivity to high humidity;
• requires soil acidification;
• takes a long time to bear fruit.

History of selection

There are many varieties of blueberries. Among the varieties, it is worth noting the Spartan variety, which was selected in 1956. It has been widely used in gardening since 1978.

Description of the variety

North America is considered the birthplace of the berry. The variety is unpretentious to its location, grows and bears fruit well, especially in peaty, swampy and rocky areas. It is widely used by gardeners, since proper care practically guarantees high yields, and therefore income for the entrepreneur. Absolutely anyone can plant bushes in their garden and get fresh berries in season.

Berries

The berries of the crop are large, deep blue (blue sapphire). Each fruit has a velvety coating. The bush bears fruit in small clusters. The shape of the berry is round, slightly flattened. It is great for shipping because it has a thick skin and a meaty center. Blueberry fruits have a tart-sweet taste with a hint of sourness.

Important! Watering a plant is important. There is no need to flood the crop, because the roots may rot.

Weight

The size of one berry reaches up to 18 mm, the approximate weight is 2 g. From one bush you can harvest up to 6 kg of crop, which is a lot. At the same time, proper care of the plant is important - fertilizing the soil and pruning.

Leaves

The bush of the plant is completely covered with leaves. Their color can be reddish at first or deep green when the fruit ripens. The leaves are large in size, elliptical in shape, with jagged or even edges.

Landing rules

Proper planting and care of Spartan blueberries will allow you to obtain stable high yields. Be sure to analyze the quality of the soil and add nutrients.

Recommended timing

The crop is planted both in autumn and spring. Planting in the spring is more preferable, since the plant has time to take root during the growing season. Work is carried out after the snow melts, but before the buds of the trees swell.

Choosing a suitable location

A well-lit area, protected from the wind, is allocated for the bushes. Constant exposure to the sun will ensure high yields.

It is important to prevent moisture stagnation on the site. The root system suffers from cold water, the bush develops slowly and does not bear fruit.

Soil preparation

Blueberries prefer acidic soil with a pH of 4 to 5. Soil for the crop is obtained by mixing peat with sand, sawdust and pine needles. If the soil is clayey, a drainage layer is required.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

Spartan variety seedlings are purchased from trusted centers or nurseries. It is recommended to choose plants with a closed root system. Before planting, carefully remove the blueberries from the container and keep the roots in water for 15 minutes.

Algorithm and landing scheme

Planting order for Spartan blueberries:

1. Holes are dug in the area with a diameter of 60 cm and a depth of 50 cm. 1 m is maintained between the bushes.
2. A drainage layer of crushed stone or pebbles is placed at the bottom of the pit. The prepared substrate is placed on top to form a small mound.
3. The plant is carefully planted on a mound, the roots are straightened and covered with earth.
4. The seedling is watered abundantly, the soil is covered with peat, straw or bark with a layer of 5 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Blueberries Spartan are endowed with the following advantages:

• excellent taste characteristics;
• suitability of the crop for long-term transportation;
• self-fertility;
• high immunity to common diseases.

Among the disadvantages, gardeners note:

• sensitivity to excess moisture;
• requires constant acidification of the soil;
• It takes quite a long time to bear fruit.

Subsequent care of the crop

To obtain a high yield, blueberries are provided with constant care. Be sure to regulate watering, apply fertilizers, and prune the bush.

Necessary activities

When growing Spartan blueberries, water them moderately; the soil should not dry out or contain too much moisture. Mulching the soil with sawdust helps reduce the number of waterings. The optimal layer of mulch is from 5 to 8 mm.

In spring, blueberries are fed with mineral complexes containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Every 10 days, to acidify the soil, the bushes are watered with a solution of colloidal sulfur.

Important! Blueberries are not fertilized with organic matter.

Loosening the soil ensures the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the roots. As a result, the growth and productivity of bushes improves.

Shrub pruning

Blueberries over 6 years old require pruning. At the bottom of the bush, shoots are removed. Branches older than 6 years are also cut out. From 3 to 5 largest shoots are left per bush.

Pruning allows you to rejuvenate the bush and increase its productivity. The procedure is carried out in late autumn after leaf fall or in spring before the beginning of the growing season.

Preparing for winter

With proper planting and care of Spartan blueberries in the Moscow region, the bushes tolerate winters well without shelter. In autumn, 100 g of superphosphate is applied under the plant.

Young seedlings are insulated using agrofibre and spruce branches. In winter, snow is thrown over the bush.

Care Tips

If you constantly monitor the plant, spray it against diseases and pests, and trim it on time, then the harvest will be good. It is also necessary to periodically feed the soil with nitrogen fertilizers, as well as those containing sulfates and calcium, for example Fertika-universal - NPK. Nitrate options are not used.

There are two ways to regulate soil acidity:

1. If the pH is below 3.5, then urea is used;
2. If the pH is above 4 - potassium or ammonium sulfate, or superphosphate;
3. In winter, each bush needs to be insulated; this will prevent the roots and pagons from freezing. The plant is frost-resistant, but still, when it gets cold, each seedling will need to be wrapped in snow, agrofibre or spruce branches.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The most dangerous blueberry diseases are shown in the table:

Common crop pests are listed in the table:

Growing rules

Without proper care, it is quite difficult to grow blueberries and harvest a good harvest. The basic rules for growing include:

• regular watering;
• correct and timely feeding;
• careful loosening of the soil and removal of weeds from the tree trunk circle;
• regular pruning according to the rules and recommendations of professionals;
• preventive treatments against diseases and pests.

As can be seen from the description, even a novice gardener can grow Bonus blueberries.

Preparing for winter

To prepare Bonus blueberries for winter, you need:

• clear the root zone of grass and debris;
• water the bushes in the fall at the rate of 2 buckets per bush;
• mulch the soil under the bushes, the height of the mulching layer should be at least 15-20 cm.
• cover the bushes with burlap, agrofibre or other breathable material.

Attention!

When growing Bonus blueberries, do not forget about the acidity of the soil. It must be checked every 4-6 months and the indicators regularly brought back to normal.

You cannot use polyethylene or materials that do not allow air to pass through. Otherwise, the seedlings will die.

How to grow blueberries

The requirements for growing conditions and care of blueberries differ from the usual currants, gooseberries and raspberries. In particular, organic matter in the form of humus, chicken droppings and manure is contraindicated for Patriot; it needs acidic (pH 3.5–4.5), moist and loose soil. Failure to comply with one of these rules will lead to the death of the plant. Patriot has a huge advantage: resistance to diseases and pests. As gardeners say, he is not sick with anything. Almost all the misfortunes characteristic of other fruit crops bypass blueberries.

Dates, place and stages of planting

The best periods for planting are spring, before buds open, and autumn, after leaf fall. In northern regions with a short autumn, it is better to choose spring. The place for blueberries should be well lit and warmed by the sun, while it is desirable to have protection from the wind on the north side in the form of a wall, a solid fence or a hedge.

The best predecessors are perennial herbs. Blueberries cannot be planted after crops that have been supplemented with organic matter, ash, lime, dolomite and bone meal.

The planting hole for blueberries is filled with a special mixture that has nothing in common with ordinary soil on the site

1. Dig a hole 40–50 cm deep and 70–80 cm in diameter, or even better, 1 m. The fact is that blueberry roots are superficial and spread out. The wider the planting hole, the longer the blueberry will have enough soil suitable for it. If the hole is small, the roots will quickly reach ordinary soil, the plant will develop chlorosis, stop growing, and the yield will decrease. You will not need the removed soil; you can immediately distribute it evenly throughout the area.
2. Spread a strong film, tarpaulin or other material on the ground on which you can shovel the substrate to fill the hole. Pour high-moor (acidic) peat, river sand, rotted sawdust from coniferous trees onto the prepared surface and mix.

You can limit yourself to peat and sawdust or peat and sand in equal proportions.

• Fill the hole with the resulting mixture. You can’t compact it too hard; blueberries love lush soil. Do not be afraid that after planting the soil will sag without compaction; the situation can be easily corrected by adding peat or sawdust. Young blueberries can be buried up to 10 cm, and mature blueberries can be planted up to 30 cm in height.
• Before planting, soak the roots of the seedling in water for an hour.
• If the blueberry bush was grown in a container before transplanting, then lower the container into water, and after soaking, carefully free the root system from the container and examine it. It often happens that the roots penetrate the entire lump, reach the bottom, bend and grow inside. In this case, untangle and straighten the roots.
• Make a hole in the center of the planting hole the size of the seedling's root system. In this case, the roots need to be positioned horizontally, pointing in different directions. Planting depth is 2–3 cm below the previous level.
• Pour in acidified water (100 ml of 9% table vinegar per 10 liters of water).
• Mulch with peat, sawdust, pine needles or a mixture of these materials. Mulch height is 7–10 cm.

Video: rules for planting blueberries

Watering

If the groundwater in your area runs deeper than 40–60 cm from the surface, then you will have to water the blueberries often - twice a week, 2 buckets per fruit-bearing bush. It is recommended to divide this dose in half: one bucket in the morning, one in the evening. Gardeners who cannot visit their plots as often use drip irrigation. On especially hot days, blueberries can be watered over the leaves.

Growing technology

In order to get an excellent harvest for many years, you need to take into account all the nuances, and at first take very good care of the young bushes. Preparatory activities are also important.

Selecting a location

1. Seedlings should not be planted in swampy areas or in lowlands where melt water may accumulate. It is also undesirable to plant blueberries in areas where groundwater flows too close to the soil surface. Stagnation of moisture in the root system can lead to a slowdown in the growth and development of the crop. The taste characteristics of the fruit will also suffer.
2. The most comfortable area will be an open area, where there will be a lot of sun. In some cases, you can plant bushes in areas where there is partial shade, but in this case the sugar content of the berries will decrease and the growth of the bushes will not be rapid.
3. When growing blueberries, you need to know one rule: do not plant seedlings in an area where other cultivated plants previously grew. Young bushes may not take root or may grow very poorly and become sick.
4. Since the variety is tall, choose a place where there will be no drafts or cold winds. This will negatively affect the ripening of berries.

Soil composition and site preparation

This plant will grow well if the soil is light and acidic. Some gardeners make a mistake when, in an effort to achieve the desired level of acidity, they add vinegar, citric acid or an electrolyte to the soil. With the help of such actions, very significant damage is caused to the soil: the necessary enzymes and microelements are washed out, and the composition is disrupted.

In order for blueberries to take root after planting and adapt, and the composition of the nutrient soil mixture to meet the requirements of the plant, you need to add peat, which maintains the desired pH, and at the same time forms a humus colloidal complex. At the same time, the soil microflora and enzyme composition remain unchanged, the nutrients remain in place.

The crop will not grow on heavy soils, and you will not get a full-fledged plant. Loams and peat-based soils are the best, and don’t forget about soil aeration. If you are just starting out as a gardener, then it would be wiser to take the soil to the laboratory to analyze its composition. After all, planted in the right soil, the bush will not require much attention later.

Recommendations for soil preparation

Start preparing the site 2 weeks before the planned planting. When planting several bushes, prepare the place by calculating the location of the seedlings from north to south. In this case, the plants will receive the maximum amount of sunlight. Make the gap between seedlings from 80 cm to 1.5 cm, and between rows 1.5 - 3 m. The size of the hole depends on the composition of the soil. If the soil is heavy and clayey, then plant the plant “on the ridge”: dig a hole 10 cm deep, and build a hill on top consisting of a mixture of peat, sawdust and sand. The plant is planted at such a height. If the soil is sandy, add peat first. The depth of the hole will be 40 cm, and the circumference will be about 50 - 60 cm. When the soil is heavy, make the depth smaller - 20 - 30 cm. Be sure to make a drainage layer, especially if the soil is sandy and there are compacted layers

It is important to ensure the outflow of moisture after watering. Recommended pH - 3.5 - 5. If the soil is acidic, add several buckets of sand

If planting will be carried out on poor soil, then add nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in equal quantities before digging.

Choosing a seedling

It is better to buy a bush that is no more than 2 - 3 years old. It is advisable that the root system is closed. 20 minutes before planting, place the plant in water so that the roots along with the lump are saturated with moisture. The shoots need to be straightened.

Landing

Experienced gardeners recommend planting seedlings in the spring so that the plant has time to take root and adapt before autumn and the onset of cold weather. Place the bush in the prepared hole and begin to cover it with soil.

It is important that no voids form in the roots. After planting, make a hole in the tree trunk circle, water the plant, and then be sure to mulch the soil with a layer of at least 5 - 6 cm.

Blueberries: choosing a variety (video)

The most suitable material for planting blueberries in their permanent ripening place is 3-year-old seeds. To obtain a large and high-quality harvest, it is good to mix the Nord Blue variety with other low-growing varieties. Such actions help the fruit set better and shorten the ripening time. Also, cross-pollinated berries are sweeter and more delicate in taste.

To saturate the soil with water, before planting a pot with a plant, it is immersed in water for 15 minutes. Then the plants are carefully pulled out of the pots and the earthen ball is crushed by hand. After this, the root ball of the bush is cut or torn by hand. These actions prevent the death of the plant after a few years.

Blueberries of the Nord Blue variety like to be planted when the seedling is placed approximately 5 cm deep into the soil. The bush itself is placed in a specially prepared hole, the roots are straightened horizontally and covered with acidic soil without fertilizers. A hole is made nearby, which needs to be watered and covered with sawdust in a layer of 6-8 cm. This will slow down the evaporation of water.

After the seedlings have settled in their permanent place, their roots must be kept in a moist environment and not allowed to dry out. It is worth watering the soil 2 times a week; one adult blueberry bush requires a bucket of water 2 times a day

It is very important to maintain a watering schedule during the summer months, when the berries are already ripe and new ones are starting to form for next year's harvest. Due to insufficient water, there may be large losses in the harvest, which will spread into the next year

If the weather is hot, Northblue blueberry bushes need to be misted in addition to watering. Thus, Nord Blue blueberries are cooled and do not suffer from overheating. This should be done during hours of maximum solar activity - at 12 noon and at 15 o'clock.