flapperjules,
Fertilize or mulch?

This time of year I would apply ammonium sulfate or a quality organic fertilizer such as those made for rhododendrons and azaleas.

Good luck.

RM

I guess I do mean mulch. I have blueberry fertilizer from Gardens Alive which I follow the directions for its use. I guess I am thinking ahead to the fall....as I keep cleaning up holly leaves off my deck year round!

You can buy either pellets or a water soluble fert made for acidic loving plants. It works great. I have moved all my container blueberries into soil since I was having some overwintering issues (lots of die back). We'll see how that works.

I don't see any reason not to use the leaves,although I've never heard of them being used that way. Brady

I think you will be happy you did Frank.......I had all mine in containers and this past winter I moved them all into the ground and they are doing great. Dig a big hole, fill with the appropriate soil and plant.....it's working so far for me.

Flapper......check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnbYI4zaR48

No need to mulch in containers if you are using a quality soilless mix such as the 5:1:1 discussed in the container forum. Container mixes are usually best using a material that is consistent all the way through.

Mulch is normally used on soil to help it retain moisture moderate temperatures, and and keep weeds down. A good soil less mix in a container should retain enough moisture as it is, and of course should already be weedless. It would not help temperature moderation much, if at all, since containers can heat up and cool due to exposure on all sides.

I have always mulched my blueberry plants in containers with pine bark fines. It's a good way to keep moisture in so that the pots dont dry out so quickly and that is the only part of the pine tree that actually has beneficial "ingredients" that blueberries can best use (so I've been told). I had always read that pine needles wont help any/much with pH.

rjiinja: If you have to put pine bark fines on top to retain moisture, then you aren't using the correct mix. 5:1:1 mix from the container forum can be adjusted to conditions, and the 5 part is actually pine bark fines anyway. If you need more water retention then the default 5:1:1, just increase the peat component. Your soilless mix should hold enough water to not need mulch. If it does, your soil is not correct.

This containerized plant was growing in the blueberry mix recommended by Dave Wilson on Youtube. I fertilized with a combination of organics and ammonium sulf.

{{gwi:100294}}

Does anyone know if the mix recommended in the video noted above is also good for blackberry bushes in containers?!?!
THANKS!