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Can You Transplant Wild Blueberries?
Where To Buy PEI Wild Blueberries

Can You Transplant Wild Blueberries?

To anyone thinking about doing this, please make sure you have the permission of the property owner first. 

 Before we delve into the answer you should be aware that some nurseries now sell wild blueberries seeds and seedlings. However, if you have your heart set on transplanting the berry plants, you will have your work cut out for you. In fact, the success rate is so unlikely that it makes the attempt hardly worth the effort. Transplanting wild blueberries is both an art and a science. It requires meticulous attention to detail, from soil preparation to handling the plants with care.

So how did the wild blueberry farmer plant their berries? They didn’t. That is why they use the term blueberry grower rather than blueberry farmer. They actually manage the fields where the berries grow naturally. If blueberries didn’t occur naturally on your property, you are not going to become  a commercial  blueberry grower. Lest you think these growers were lucky to have blueberries grown naturally on their property, the downside to this is that blueberries grow in very poor soil.

Wild blueberries spread through underground runners called rhizomes and they spread very slowly. Left unmanaged, the rhizomes will spread about five centimeters a year. These rhizomes, or roots are very shallow and incredibly delicate and this makes successful transplanting very unlikely. Like any plant, wild blueberries experience shock when uprooted and moved. To minimize this stress, timing is crucial. Spring, just before new growth begins, is the optimal season for transplanting. During this period, the plants are less likely to suffer from shock, as their energy is directed toward establishing roots. However, even with careful timing, some wilting and leaf drop are inevitable. 

The size of the blueberry plant plays a significant role in the success of transplantation. Young seedlings or small plants are more adaptable and resilient. Gardeners can dig them up with minimal disturbance to their root systems. However, larger blueberry bushes pose a greater challenge. Their extensive root networks make extraction tricky, and the risk of damage increases.

Even if the root system is undamaged from the extraction and replanting, there are other factors which need to be considered. The most important of these is the PH level of the soil. Wild blueberries grow in soil that is too acidic for most other plants to grow. They require a PH level between 4.0 and 5.2. So if you raise your PH to this level, you had better hope your blueberries grow because not much else will. Before transplanting, gardeners must ensure that the new site mimics these conditions. Amending the soil with organic matter, such as peat moss or pine needles, can help create the ideal environment. However, achieving the right balance can be challenging, especially if your garden soil tends to be alkaline.

As previously mentioned, the wild blueberry is slow to grow. So even if the plant survives the initial replanting, it will take several years for the plant to establish itself. During this time it will be highly susceptible to root rot, insects and a plethora of other diseases. Even if the plant does survive the several years it takes to establish itself, it can take even longer before it can produce fruit.

The plants will not survive being planted in a garden box, planter or with other annual vegetables. It must have direct sunlight so it cannot be planted  in an area that is shady. The wild blueberry also needs well draining soil and a climate of a moderate summer and a cold winter. The plants also require an inch of water each week; but not all at once. Too much water will make them susceptible to disease. 

The plants will require all of their energy to grow for the first two years so be sure to remove any blossoms that appear. The blueberry plants need to be mowed every second year to a height of 1 and a half inches. For a small garden plot it is safe to use your lawn mower.  If you want berries every year then you need to  split your crop. Mow half your crop on a rotating two year schedule. Wild blueberries need to be pollinated as well, so it is important to attract bees to your property. You can do this by planting pollinator-friendly flowers in your yard.

So yes, iIt is possible to transplant wild blueberries. Plants and seeds bought from a nursery will give you a better chance at success, but even without the effort of transplanting, wild blueberries are a tricky plant to grow.

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