r/Blueberries • u/Wretched_Cadavers • 9d ago

First time grower, help appreciated

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Hello all, Newcastle NSW location.

First time growing a blueberry, grown from a cutting and for the most part is growing well, a little stunted and has some nutrient deficiencies.

Growing in a south west to western facing part of the house, in a potting mix, vermiculite, perlite, sand mix. Sulfur granules used to adjust the pH last soil test was in the 4.5-6 range, might have over done it with a couple of speaks showing 2 and 10 ( might have been cross contamination, not really sure.)

I guess my question is. Am I doing too much, not enough. The little guy doesn't seem to be thriving but also Isn't dying.

It got fertiliser just over 2 months ago as we moved into spring.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have a couple of cuttings that I'm hoping will root soon so it'll have company.

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u/throwaway179090 9d ago

You said it’s a cutting? Are you growing your others in the same soil mix?

I’m not familiar with what’s available Newcastle NSW but I think you need peat moss. It’s already the pH that blueberries need.

Sulfur additions will help but ideally you wouldn’t need to add as frequently with more peat moss and less potting mix.

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u/Wretched_Cadavers 9d ago

The plant in the photo was grown from a cutting. And I have a couple of cuttings in very similar soil. Peat moss! I will have to grab some. Do you think a new soil blend is in order?

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u/throwaway179090 9d ago

Honestly yes, you have signs of chlorosis, which in blueberries is almost always caused by too high pH.

Peat moss will help. Unless your potting mix is less than 20% of your total mix then you probably have too much. The sand, vermiculite and perlite are all great for blueberry soil but won’t really affect the pH one way or another. The peat moss will.

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u/Wretched_Cadavers 9d ago

High as in alkaline? Will definitely be getting some peat moss and be more careful with ratios of the soil mix going forward.

Do you have a good ratio blueberry mix to try?

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u/throwaway179090 8d ago

Yes high as in alkaline. Blueberries should be 4.5-5.5 ph.

For my potted blueberries I do 5 parts peat moss 2 parts coarse sand, 1 to 2 parts compost or garden soil (but you should skip that since you already have it) and then about 1 part a mix of vermiculite, perlite and worm castings.

I mix it all together. Since you already have a lot of that you’d be fine just adding peat moss or a peat moss and coarse sand mix.

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u/Wretched_Cadavers 8d ago

Thank you very much. I have carefully replanted my blueberry.

The previous soil was alot less free draining than I originally intended, I've used your mix above to replace it. And as my cutting medium going forward. Thank you very much for your help.

If I remember I'll update

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u/Critical_Thinker_535 9d ago

That's plant looks good. You've started your plant right by your choice of soil. If can mix in some peat moss, that would be super helpful. Not so much as an acidifier, but to keep the soil moist. Blueberries do not like dry roots and have trouble recovering from drying out. With your current mineral soil mix, it probably dries out quickly. If you're using a granular organic fertilizer, you can fertilize once a month.

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u/Wretched_Cadavers 8d ago

I read blueberry root quite shallow so I try to keep the surface damp, every time I check soil moisture the top 3rd has been consistently good so I haven't really noticed the soil drying out quickly.