How to propagate blueberries by cuttings

Selection of cuttings

Cuttings should be taken between February and April before spring budding, and planted immediately after cutting. It is appropriate to choose 1-2 year old branches that are healthy and free of diseases and insect pests. Be careful to avoid choosing long branches, branches with large pith and frost-damaged branches. When cutting, try to choose the middle and lower parts of the branches. The length of the cuttings should be about 30 cm.

Cutting medium

You can use a mixture of rotten moss, grass charcoal and river sand, but do not add base fertilizer. Before cuttings, the substrate needs to be watered thoroughly but without water accumulation, and the container for cuttings should be slightly deeper.

Cuttings

Use a sharp blade to cut the end of the cutting at an angle, then insert it vertically into the medium, leaving only one terminal bud exposed, and then spray it with water once. The distance between cuttings should generally not be less than 5 cm. If the cuttings are too dense, it will easily cause poor development of seedlings after rooting.

Management after cutting

Moisture Management

Water frequently after planting to keep the soil moist, while being careful to avoid water accumulation, otherwise it will cause root rot. Early May to late June is the critical period for water management. Although the leaves have unfolded at this time, the cuttings have not yet taken root, and insufficient water can easily lead to the death of the cuttings. When the top leaves begin to turn green, it means the cuttings have begun to take root.

Fertilizer management

Fertilization should not be applied before rooting. Fertilization can be applied after the cuttings have taken root to promote plant growth. Fertilizer should be applied in liquid form once a week, using a complete fertilizer with a concentration of about 3%. Note that you need to spray water in time after fertilizing to wash away the residual fertilizer on the leaves and avoid damaging the leaves.

Pest and disease management

During the rooting and seedling raising period of blueberries, ventilation and removal of diseased plants are the main methods used to control diseases.