Blueberry Cultivation Techniques and a Detailed Explanation of Its Benefits and Effects

Blueberries are not only highly attractive in fruit color, but their taste is also moderately sweet and sour. The first country to cultivate them was the United States, and because of their high nutritional value, they have now become popular in the domestic market. So, what are the cultivation techniques for blueberries? What benefits and effects do they have?

1. What are the cultivation techniques for blueberries?

1. Orchard site selection

The orchard should be selected in an area with convenient transportation and irrigation. On flat land and gentle slopes, the land can be directly prepared and planting holes dug for planting. The planting holes are generally 60cm×60cm×40cm. When applying base fertilizer, mix the removed soil with decomposed sawdust, humus soil from under pine forests, or decomposed barnyard manure, mix evenly, and then backfill into the holes.

2. Planting requirements

Select 1- to 2-year-old seedlings with a plant height above 30cm and a main stem base diameter above 5mm. Container seedlings are recommended. The plants should be robust, with well-developed root systems and no obvious damage. At least 2 or more varieties of the same type and with relatively consistent flowering periods should be planted in the same plot to facilitate cross-pollination. The variety configuration ratio is generally 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3.

Bare-root seedlings should be planted from November to the end of February of the following year; container seedlings can be planted in any season, with the dormant period being preferable. Determine the planting density according to land conditions. For rabbiteye varieties, the plant spacing is 1.6-1.7m×2.0m. For highbush varieties, the plant spacing is 1.2m×2.0m. When planting, ensure the root system is spread out and the seedling is upright. While covering with soil, gently lift the seedling upward, then firm the soil so that the roots are in close contact with the soil. The planting depth should be about 2-3cm higher than the original soil mark of the seedling in the nursery or container.

3. Field management

Cultivation and weeding: Based on the occurrence of weeds in the field, cultivate 3-4 times per year, with a cultivation depth of about 5cm. Improve soil structure and keep the soil loose and well aerated.

Water management: The water-related characteristics of blueberries can be summarized as drought-resistant, water-loving, and waterlogging-fearing. Blueberries have strong drought resistance, but because their roots are relatively shallow, excessive drought will affect their growth. Therefore, sufficient water is very important for blueberries. However, too much water can also cause blueberry roots to rot. In sunny summer weather, irrigate once every one or two days.

Fertilization principles: The requirements of blueberries for various nutrient elements during growth and fruiting should be fully met. Apply organic fertilizer. The use of chlorine-containing fertilizers and chicken manure is prohibited. Commonly used fertilizer types include biogas slurry fertilizer, green manure, cake fertilizer, compost, waterlogged compost, and barnyard manure, among other organic fertilizers.

4. Training and pruning

During the young tree stage, the main focus is on building tree vigor. During this period, flower buds should be removed and weak branches thinned to reduce nutrient consumption. During the growing season, pinch the new shoots of young trees at about 40cm to increase the number of lateral branches and rapidly expand the crown width. For 3- to 4-year-old fruiting trees, the main task is to remove weak lower branches and overly crowded clustered branches in the middle of the crown. For fruiting main branches over 5 years old, on plants with average vigor, they should be promptly retracted; on plants with vigorous growth, they can be cut off from the base of the main branch.

5. Pest and disease control

Newly planted areas generally have no diseases or only mild diseases. The main insect pests include tussock moths, slug moths, and other pests invading from adjacent orchards, such as pear and peach fruit borers and longhorn beetles. Therefore, in mountainous areas of the south, small isolated plots can be used to establish orchards to reduce the degree of damage. Newly planted blueberry areas generally have no diseases or only mild diseases. The main insect pests include tussock moths, slug moths, and other pests invading from adjacent orchards, such as pear and peach fruit borers and longhorn beetles. Therefore, in mountainous areas of the south, small isolated plots can be used to establish orchards to reduce the degree of damage.

6. Timely harvest

Lowbush blueberry fruits ripen relatively uniformly, and early-ripening fruits do not easily drop, so they can be harvested all at once after all the fruits have ripened. After harvesting, remove dead branches, fallen leaves, stones, and other debris, and place the fruit into containers. Highbush blueberry fruits do not ripen uniformly, and harvesting generally needs to continue for 20-30 days, usually once per week. For fresh consumption, the fruit should be picked by hand; for processing, mechanical harvesting can be used.

2. What benefits and effects do blueberries have?

1. Improving eyesight

The anthocyanins it contains can promote the regeneration of rhodopsin in retinal cells, help prevent severe myopia and retinal detachment, and improve vision. At the same time, anthocyanins also have the ability to accelerate the regeneration of rhodopsin, and rhodopsin is an indispensable component for ensuring good vision.

2. Antioxidant

In addition, anthocyanins are also an effective natural antioxidant. USDA research shows that among more than 40 kinds of fruits and vegetables commonly eaten by people, blueberries have the strongest antioxidant capacity.

3. Improving immunity

They also contain a considerable amount of potassium. Potassium helps maintain fluid balance in the body, normal blood pressure, and heart function, and has the effect of resisting free radicals. Free radicals can be produced in many environments and worsen within the human body, triggering various related diseases. By removing free radicals, these diseases can be prevented, the damage caused by oxygen free radicals to cell membranes, DNA, and other cellular components can be reduced, internal functional disorders can be prevented, and the body's own immune and disease-resistant ability can be enhanced.

Because blueberry cultivation started relatively late in our country, the current market supply falls short of demand and prices are relatively high, so the cultivation prospects are still quite considerable.