Once the chilling hour requirement has been satisfied, extended periods of warm temperatures will initiate flower bud growth. Until the chilling hour requirement is achieved, an extended period of warm weather will not usually cause floral budbreak. Most rabbiteye cultivars require 300 to 600 chill hours to break dormancy. Cold air often settles into these areas, and frost damage can occur during bloom and early fruit set, resulting in a reduced crop. Low-lying areas are not suitable for blueberry production. MSU Extension also has a web-based application to track chill hours during the dormant season here.ĭeveloping flower buds, blooms, and fruit of lower-chill, earlier-ripening rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberry cultivars are susceptible to late-spring freeze injury and frequently require frost protection to prevent crop loss. For more information on chilling hours, see MSU Extension Publication 3067 Chilling-Hour Requirements of Fruit Crops. Generally, cultivars requiring as few as 300 to 400 hours may be grown in south Mississippi, below Hattiesburg, while cultivars having requirements of 500 hours or more may be grown in more northern regions of the state. Consider these requirements when selecting cultivars for specific geographic regions. Terrain and Climatic Considerationsīlueberry cultivars vary in their chilling requirements (hours below 45☏). Poorly drained soils will not sustain blueberry plants, but raised planting beds (8 to 12 inches high) can be used in marginally wet areas. The addition of organic matter, such as pine bark, to the soil at planting will greatly increase the productivity of the blueberry planting. These soil conditions increase the vigor and production of blueberry plants. Incorporate the sulfur into the soil at least 6 months before planting.īlueberries have a shallow, fibrous root system that grows best in well-drained soil with high organic matter content. Soils with low native pH that has been limed for previous crops to achieve an artificially high pH may be lowered by adding sulfur. Soils with a native pH above 5.5 will be more difficult to adapt for blueberry culture, so consider alternate locations. Consider the location of these windrows when laying out the field to reduce problem areas after planting. These areas have high concentrations of minerals and salts, as well as a higher pH. Follow soil test recommendations to correct any inadequacies, eliminate hardpans, improve soil structure, and add organic matter to reach acceptable levels for your blueberry crop.īlueberry plants will perform poorly in areas with large amounts of wood ash, as found where windrows were recently burned on newly cleared land. Soil test results will be returned with recommendations, and Extension agents can help interpret the lab results. Instructions for how to collect a soil sample are available in MSU Extension Information Sheet 346 Soil Testing for the Farmer. The Mississippi State Soil Testing Lab performs routine and specialized soil tests for a fee. The first step is to contact your local county MSU Extension office for guidance on soil testing. Plants growing in soils with an improper pH will grow poorly, have nutritional deficiencies, and have higher mortality rates during establishment. Blueberries grow best in well-drained, sandy soils with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Conduct soil fertility and irrigation water analyses when choosing a site. Soil properties, terrain, and climatic factors must be considered when evaluating a site. Old pasture sites or farmland with a pH below 5.5 may be adapted to blueberry culture. Site selection is critical to the success of a blueberry planting. Careful consideration of site selection, preplant preparation, plant management, cultivar selection, pest management, harvesting, and marketing is crucial to success. To remain competitive, blueberry growers must have a clear understanding of several key factors and plan carefully when preparing to establish a blueberry planting. Since their commercial production began about a century ago, blueberries have become the most highly valued fruit crop grown in the region.īlueberry plantings are relatively expensive to establish but can remain productive for a long time. ashei) are also widely produced.īlueberries are grown in Mississippi and throughout the southeastern United States by commercial producers for local and wholesale, fresh and processing markets. Highbush blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum) are the primary type of commercially grown blueberry, but southern highbush ( Vaccinium spp.) and rabbiteye ( V. Blueberries were once a small-scale crop, but they are now grown throughout the world.
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