I would go from a 1 gallon to a 5 gallon and continue to grow them out another two seasons. After one or two seasons in a 5 gallon you could go up to 15 gallon and they will live in that pot for many years. Once you notice vigour starting to slow, a good root trim and repot with fresh soil will do all the good.

What are you using for your potting media?

Nope. You can plant them in the 1/2 whiskey barrels right now. Bigger is better if you have the room as blueberries do have pretty extensive root systems. I use 1/2 Azaela/Camellia mix and 1/2 compost. I add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup soil sulfur to help keep the potting mix acidic enough. That will take up to a year to acidify the soil, so you might need a little aluminum sulfate sprinkled on the surface and watered in very well. Use a good pH meter to monitor the pH of the soil. I've included a nice article from DWN about growing blueberries in containers. Mine are in very large terra cotta and decorative plastic pots and are doing very well.

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dave Wilson Nursery: Blueberries in Containers

I've never used a pH meter. Is there one in particular you'd recommend?

blueboy, can you please describe root trim? Is it generally recommended. I've repotted a Blueray and a Bluecrop twice without a root trim. They weren't root bound, I just took them from the old pot, and put them in the bigger pot with more soil around them. They seem to be growing well.

FWIW, I use a mixture of screened (through a 1/2" screen) pine bark mulch and peat moss, in about a 5:2 ratio, with a little gypsum added for calcium. I use vinegar in my water to lower the ph of the water from 8 to about 4, and a little epsom salts for magnesium. This is only my second year growing blueberries in containers, but so far so good.

bookwyrme,
I would go for the larger size if you have the room. I grow blueberries in much smaller containers due to limited space and they do fine.

As far as a good Ph meter I use a Kelway which is very accurate. Don't buy the cheap ones you will just waste your money.

As far as root pruning Blueberries, I have never done it to mine, doesn't mean it will not help though. I did prune my Blackberries and Boysenberries last year and noticed a big gain in fruit count and size.

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