Marianne's Response

osmocote for blueberry plant

Hi,
I bought a blueberry bush from McLendon a year and a half ago. It provided plenty of berries the first season, but none last season.
I suspect the soil may not be acid enough. Should I fertilize with osmocote this spring? Should I work coffee grounds into the soil near the base of the plant? I’m hoping for a rebirth of blossoms and berries this year.

Thanks for your help.

Tom

Posted by Thomas Nelson on February 9, 2018

Marianne's Response

There are several reasons for a smaller blueberry harvest and the most common are not enough water, poor pollination and too much shade. The soil is your area is naturally acidic so unless the plant is growing in potting soil it on the acid side already. Do you have more than one blueberry plant? Having several that flower at the same time will increase pollination and produce more fruit. You should pamper the plants this spring with a compost mulch and apply Osmocote Plus Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron food. (This is an Osmocote made for acid loving plants.) Give your blueberries plenty of water as the berries form and I think you will see a much better harvest this summer. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti