Do I need multiple blueberry bushes?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Most blueberry types depend on cross-pollination as a means of increasing fruit, so, often just planting one bush yields weak amounts of fruit. I learned this the hard way when I planted a single 'Bluecrop' variety bush and harvested no more than a handful of berries. I achieved natural pollination by adding a companion 'Duke' bush in the following season, which tripled my harvest.
Place bushes within 5 feet for good pollination. Bees make the best use of transfer at this distance. My patio layout consists of pots arranged in a triangular configuration. So my flowers have greater contact with one another. Additionally, I can relocate the pots during bloom season to promote cross-pollination.
Hand-Pollination
- Use soft brush during morning hours
- Transfer pollen between different varieties
- Focus on newly opened flowers
- Repeat daily during 2-week bloom period
Companion Planting
- Include bee-attracting flowers nearby
- Borage and lavender work well
- Maintain consistent bloom periods
- Avoid pesticide use during flowering
Anticipate 30-50% increased yields from cross-pollination, provided it is performed correctly. My 'Northblue' and 'Northsky' bushes are paired, and they yield approximately 8 pounds of fruit per year. Individual bushes may give just 2-3 pounds. The combination of pollen ensures more complete fruit production. Additionally, berries are larger and sweeter.
Pick varieties that have overlapping bloom times. Early and mid-season varieties have the highest chance of coinciding. For example, the 'Blu-ray' and 'Bluecrop' both bloom in May at the same time. Nursery tags indicate when the bloom is expected to occur. Container gardening allows for adjustments if they bloom at different times.
Read the full article: How to Grow Blueberries in Pots Successfully
