Re: HELP :Bueberries
Yes, you can grow blueberries in a Mediterranean climate (I think).
Currently in California growing blueberries in the San Joaquin Valley and on
the Central Coast is being investigated. The blueberry plants seem to be
doing OK.
I planted a couple of Southern Highbush blueberry bushes last spring, and
they are doing well.
As has been mentioned, blueberries are not typical Mediterranean plants. For
my blueberry bushes, I had to worry about the following:
1. Getting the right cultivar. The problem is getting a cultivar that
matches your winter chilling (summer seems not to be a problem). Many areas
with a Mediterranean climate do not get much winter chilling. Working off my
memory, Northern Highbush blueberries need something like 800-1200 hours of
winter chilling, whereas Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye blueberries need
more like 100-600 hours (depending on cultivar). So, there are currently
blueberry cultivars available that need very little chilling during the
winter. In the southern United States, there is a breeding program (might be
more than one program) trying to develop more low-chill cultivars.
2. Getting the soil right. Blueberries seem to need acidic soil. Anyway, I
added lots of peat moss (besides compost, etc) to my soil (enough to make it
50% peat moss). That's something I had read somewhere.
3. Giving the plants enough water. Blueberry bushes really like water. Mine
didn't have any trouble with the summer heat as long as they had plenty of
water. So, I ended up giving them lots of water frequently (more than the
other plants).
My plants seem to be doing well and have shown good growth. There is a
planting of blueberries nearby (that is older than mine) that seems to have
no trouble producing lots of fruit.
--Mark
Mark Doster
central San Joaquin Valley, California
USDA zone 9
-----Original Message-----
From: Janet B <janetble@otenet.gr>
To: Medit-plants <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Date: Monday, September 20, 1999 12:21 PM
Subject: HELP :Bueberries
Hi everyone
In the sunday papers this weekend Blueberries, along with strawberries (see
Nans posting) were said to be especially healthy. Mopping up free radicals,
deferring old age etc. there must be lots of knowledge in the group on this
plant and how best to grow and fruit it. In England we could buy it in the
supermarket, here in Crete it is unheard of.
Can we grow it in our mediterranean climate. Any advice please?
regards
Janet
Richard & Janet Blenkinship
Crete
janetble@otenet.gr
Michael Barclay, D.Lett. opga@wenet.net
Opera Education International/OEI
400 Yale Ave, Berkeley, CA 94708-1109
http://www.operalover.net Please visit our website soon.
