In the forest, blueberries multiply by themselves. When growing them in the garden, you sometimes need a little help. Propagation through cuttings or via planters is recommended here.
How to propagate blueberries?
Blueberries can be propagated through cuttings and sinkers. In early autumn, cut 10-15 cm long branches, place them in acidic, lime-free substrate and keep it evenly moist. For lowering plants, bend shoots close to the ground to the ground and secure them with wire hooks or soil and stones.
Sowing, planting and cuttings of blueberries
In the wild, wild blueberries usually reproduce not only through sowing, but also through natural sinkers and root runners. In contrast, cultivated blueberries based on originally North American varieties grow very orderly and generally do not develop root runners. Self-sowing usually hardly takes place in the garden due to regular mowing between the rows. These plants can be propagated relatively easily using planters and cuttings.
Propagate blueberries through cuttings
When propagating blueberries from cuttings, success depends on various factors:
- the time of taking cuttings
- the right substrate for rooting
- an even moisture balance during the rooting phase
The cuttings are ideally cut in early autumn when the ripe fruit has been picked. Like the mother plants, you should definitely put the approximately 10 to 15 centimeter long blueberry branches in an acidic and relatively lime-free substrate. Setting them up in a greenhouse or covering the pots with plastic wrap can help maintain an evenly moist rooting climate. Under ideal conditions, the first roots will usually develop on the cuttings within six to eight weeks.
Propagate blueberries through planters
Blueberries can also be propagated using the so-called lowering technique. This refers to the bending of a branch down to the ground with the aim of rooting and later separating it from the mother plant. For shoots close to the ground, this can be done by weighing them down with some soil and a stone. You can also use special wire hooks (€19.00 on Amazon), which hold the branches permanently to the ground like tent pegs. You should give blueberry bushes about half a year to a year for the roots to root.
Tips & Tricks
Under good conditions with acidic soil, cultivated blueberries grow quickly, so cuttings can sometimes produce their first yields after just one or two years. Please note, however, that certain cultivars are often subject to license restrictions and may therefore only be reproduced for your own use.
