The genus Vaccinium of the Heather family contains many species, including various berries, some of which are not known in Israel. Most species require acidic soil and very low temperatures in the winter, so they were difficult to grow in Israel, but over the years, varieties and hybrids have been selected with low cold requirements. These plants can be grown in Israel and even on the coastal plains, as long as they are provided with the appropriate level of acidity in the soil.
The blueberry fruit contains many antioxidants and is considered extremely healthy, and its unique taste and bluish color are very attractive.
It is interesting to note that the only plant from the blueberry family that is native to Israel is the Arbutus andrachne (Ktalav) tree, which has sweet red-burgundy fruit that dry into delicious raisins. It is a beautiful tree with a red trunk and abundant white flowers that are very similar to those of blueberries.
All the blueberry varieties that we sell prefer to grow in pots of 20-30 liters or more for the smaller varieties and 50 liters or more for the larger varieties. They all like soil that is rich in organic matter and well-drained, with a pH of 5-6 and low salinity. By applying sulfur powder 2-3 times a year and regular watering and fertilizing, you can grow healthy and strong bushes for many years in the same pot.
?How to choose a blueberry variety to grow at home
In recent years, many varieties with low cold requirements have been distributed in Israel, but in our opinion, when choosing a plant for home growing, it is worth taking into consideration additional factors such as final size, sensitivity to suboptimal care, susceptibility to diseases, etc.
Therefore, we will recommend here a small number of varieties, which experience shows are the easiest to grow and thus also the most satisfying and suitable for everyone:
1. Sunshine
2. Ann
3. Gulf Coast.
4. David (probably 'Abundance')
5. Biloxi
6. Titan
Both you and I can grow blueberries
Here are some Important points to consider when buying a Blubbery bush:
- Purchase: Blueberries are slow root growers and it is recommended to verify the nursery's level of responsibility in the event of a failure.
- Planting containers: It is recommended to keep the plant in its original container for a while, especially at the height of summer.
- Acidification and planting substrate: Blueberries must grow in acidic soil. Most soils in Israel are alkaline, and even the acidic ones (such as the basalt of the Golan Heights) sometimes contain a lot of lime and clay, which makes it very difficult to acidify the soil.
- Watering: Blueberries are very sensitive to drying out, but also to excess water in the soil. In the summer, it is recommended to water once a day or two with an amount of about 20% of the volume of the planting soil in the container – for a 10L container, about 2L of water per day, for a 20L container, about 4L of water per day. (If watering once every two days, water a 10L container with about 4L each time).
- Fertilization: We prefer and recommend using slow-release fertilizers such as Osmocote and others that also contain trace elements and release tiny amounts of fertilizer over a long period of time. You should bury the granules under the soil in several places in the pot about twice a year. check the specifications of the fertilizer for the right amounts.
- Sun: All varieties of blueberries can grow in full sun, but if purchased in the summer, it is advisable to initially place them in partial shade and with a maximum of 4-5 hours of direct sunlight.
For for more details on how to successfully grow Blueberries and about each variety, press here
