The Latest Bilberry Cultivation Techniques: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bilberry is a plant in the Ericaceae family. Despite being called "bilberry," its form bears no resemblance at all to an ordinary orange. The bilberry fruit is crisp, tasty and juicy, and contains many nutrients the human body needs. In addition, bilberry leaves can be dried to make tea and have a certain medicinal value. So how should bilberry be grown now? Today, the editor brings you the cultivation techniques for bilberry. Let's take a look below!
1. Site selection and land preparation
Bilberry is suited to growing on acidic soil, and on soil that is fertile, loose and deep in texture, and rich in organic humus, its yield increases markedly. The planting plot needs adequate moisture and should be sheltered from the wind and facing the sun. Pay attention to the number of large trees nearby; too many large trees will block the sunlight from the bilberry and affect its growth. After choosing the land, promptly remove the roots of the previous crop from the soil to reduce pathogens. And to ensure the normal growth of the bilberry, clear the weeds thoroughly before planting, then apply enough base fertilizer before sowing.
2. Timely planting
Once the site selection and land preparation are done, plant promptly according to changes in the weather, and control the planting density well. To ensure the bilberry yield, you can plant appropriately densely. Generally, the period around the beginning of spring each year is the best time for planting, as it ensures adequate moisture in winter; alternatively, you can also plant in autumn and winter. When backfilling soil during planting, add an appropriate amount of bark, sawdust and similar materials to the soil to improve soil fertility. Also pay attention to raising the soil acidity; if the acidity is insufficient, you can mix a small amount of sulfurous acid into the soil.
3. Timely topdressing
Bilberry does not have a great demand for fertilizer; a moderate amount is about right. Too much fertilizer not only fails to promote bilberry growth but can also have a certain negative effect. In particular, seedlings after planting must absolutely not be given nitrogen fertilizer, because seedlings are very sensitive to nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, in the first year after planting, we should fertilize as little as possible, and if the base fertilizer is sufficient, we can even skip fertilizing altogether. When soil fertility is high and the soil pH is suitable, a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be applied as topdressing, but nitrate nitrogen fertilizer must not be used. Note that no matter when you fertilize, you must never apply fertilizer directly at the bilberry's roots, to prevent burning them.
4. Shaping and pruning
After planting, carry out shaping and pruning promptly according to the bilberry's growth. At around 1-2 years, to promote the development of young bilberry trees, promptly remove the flower buds on the young trees. Then in the second year you can begin leaving fruit, but pay attention to the amount of fruit left; it must not be too much, otherwise the tree body cannot bear it and fruit drop will result. Also cut away useless branches such as lower horizontally growing branches, water sprouts, dead branches and old branches. These branches not only fail to bear fruit but also consume excessive nutrients and increase planting costs.
That is all for today's introduction. The bilberry market is currently in a stage of development, and bilberry has a certain market demand, so those who want to grow it may consider it! That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Friends who want to learn more, please keep following us!