Table of Contents Plants Planted orchards Managing wild strands Plant growth and maintenance Potential problems Harvesting Storage Processing Links Currently, it is not economical to produce blueberries in most of  Saskatchewan.  The biggest limitation will be the alkaline soils throughout most of the province.  Blueberries require an acidic soil for optimum growth and fruit production.  In areas of alkalinity, options such as raised beds of peat moss are currently being researched.  In areas where acidic soils occur naturally, production may be possible.  One other possibility is management of wild blueberry stands, which is practiced in other areas of the country. Plants There are three main types of blueberries grown in Canada: lowbush, half-bush and highbush.  Lowbush are native to many areas in Canada and have some cultivated species, while highbush are mainly grown in warmer regions of the country.  Half-high are a cross between the two.  The blueberry often grown on the prairies is of the species Vaccinium myrtilloides.  It flowers mid June to mud July and the fruit ripens August to September.  There may be three potential commercial opportunities in the province; planting lowbush or half high varieties in areas with more acidic soils or managing wild stands of blueberries.  Because plants require acidic soil, production will be difficult in most of the province.  Some sources suggest amending the using sulfur, but due to our soils high buffering capacity (ability of soil to resist pH changes), this isn't possible in most cases.  Due to this, the easiest may be to manage natural stands.  Recommended cultivars Several cultivars are currently being evaluated by the University of Saskatchewan Native Fruit Program.  Northblue, Northcountry, Northsky, Chignecto, Cumberland and one unnamed variety.  In Manitoba the cultivars Northblue, Northsky, Northcountry and Friendship show potential.Top...... Planted orchards Site Selection The biggest restrictions when considering a blueberry plantation is the soils' pH.  Blueberries require a soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 for good growth and optimum fruit production.  A pH greater than 5.8 can result in iron chlorosis and decreased plant growth and yield.  Soils should also be porous containing high organic matter. If soil pH requirements aren't met, other options may be possible.  Trials are underway using pots filled with peat moss placed in larger pots set below the soil surface.  Raised beds containing a medium of peat moss and sawdust are also being used and may also represent production possibilities.Top......   Site Preparation Nutrient application should be based on soil analysis before planting.  Nitrogen should be applied in ammonium or urea form, both of which lower soil pH (other sources my raise pH). Plantings Planting should be done in spring using one to two year old plants.  A spacing of 1m between plants and 2m between rows is recommended.  Immediately after planting, 50-60% of wood should be pruned out to encourage more vigorous root growth and establishment.Top...... Managing wild stands Management of wild fields is a very common practice in the maritimes and may show some promise in Saskatchewan.   Site Selection Site should be fairly rock free, smooth texture and free from stumps that will cause additional costs for removal.  A slight slope in the area is also important to help drain cold air during frosts.  It is important to evaluate the types of weeds at a site and whether they may be easy to control.   Adequate coverage of plants needs to be considered as well.  Although some bare spots may fill in, in time, the ideal spot will have at least 50% coverage to become profitable. Site Development Trees and shrubs should be cut down and removed.  Stumps should be cut flush with the soil and limbs may be chipped for mulch to sell which may defray some of the removal costs.  Some trees or shrubs should be retained in rows at regular intervals in the field for wind breaks.  A fire break should also be created around the periphery of the field to stop runaway fires during burning.  This stage may take from two to ten years depending on the field. Management Once a field has been established ongoing maintenance is necessary.  This includes weed control, pruning of fields by burning or mowing, and possibly fertilization. For more information on managing wild stands click on the following links: http://www.nsac.ns.ca/wildblue/facts/index.htm http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/elibrary/archive/hort/wildblue/ Top...... Plant growth and maintenance After planting, flowers should be removed on second year wood.  Because blueberries have a shallow fibrous root system, they require frequent light watering.  Plants should also be mulched as they are very susceptible to moisture fluctuations and can be set back if moisture requirements are not met.  They also require winter protection of straw or some other synthetic insulating material.  While plantings with only one cultivar will produce some crop, cross pollination from multiple cultivars results in increased yields, larger fruits and earlier ripening.Top...... Pruning or Rejuvenation The ratio of flower to vegetative buds is greater on new sprouts than on old, thus pruning is recommended to keep  plants productive.  Pruning/renovation of an area is required every two or three years to help clean the field of diseases and insects as well as maintain the vigor of the plants.  Land should be divided into two or more sections and one  section should be pruned each year.  Renovation is done in late fall or early spring by burning or mowing a field. Top...... Potential Problems Due to lack of cultivation in the province, it is difficult to predict which pests may become problems.  The following are problems for growers in other areas of the country. Weeds Good weed control is necessary to get maximum crop yield.  As many weeds as possible should be eliminated before a field is planted, and rejuvenation may help control weeds after planting.  Diseases Mummyberry, fusicoccum canker, phomopsis canker, botrytis, anthracnose, alternaria fruit rot, red leaf disease, powdery mildew, crown gall, shoestring, ringspot, blueberry leaf mottle, mosaic and stunt.  Insects Blueberry blossom weevil, blueberry leaf miner, blueberry maggot, blueberry stem borer, cherry fruitworm, cranberry fruitworm, grubs and plum curculio. Frost or winter injury Vegetative buds are susceptible to spring frost damage (<2º C) early in development.  This results in death of tissues which can decrease yields.  Flower buds are susceptible to frost during bloom.  During winters of light snowfall, exposed stems above the snow line may incur damage and the buds often fail to develop in spring.Top...... Harvesting Harvest should be delayed as long as possible to achieve maximum ripening, but not too long as frost degrades quality.  Berries ripen three to six days after they turn blue and harvest should begin when 90% of the fruit is ripe.  Low bush varieties are usually harvested with a hand rake although some mechanical harvesters are available.  Harvest should be done in early or late day as fruit harvested in higher temperatures deteriorate faster.Top...... Storage Berries should be cooled to 0º C within two hours of harvest, in 90-95% humidity, where they should keep for around 14 days.  Fruit should be stored in a odour free, disinfected cold room with adequate air circulation and refrigeration.  Frozen blueberries should be stored at < -18ºC with cold air circulation, where they can maintain acceptable quality for up to two years.Top...... Processing Processors primarily use cultivated fruit.  Wild fruit is rarely used due to inconsistencies in colour, flavour and size.Top...... Other useful links A blueberry grower guide is available from the Native Fruit Development Program.  The order form is available at: http://www.ag.usask.ca/departments/plsc/nfdp/publications/index.html Manitoba agriculture and food web site Wild Blueberry Network fact sheets Fruit Growers Society of Alberta fruit and berry links page The Power of Blue web site Penn State Ag Sciences-blueberry info page North American Blueberry Council Wild Blueberry Network Blueberry Factsheets Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Factsheets References Blatt, C.R., et al. Lowbush blueberry production.  Agriculture Canada publications. St. Pierre, Richard. New cultivar development and cultivar evaluation trials for native fruit species.  University of Saskatchewan. Mar, 2000. http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/fruit/blf01s00.html http://ssfruit.cas.psu.edu/chapter9/chapter9c.htm http://www.ag.usask.ca/departments/plsc/nfdp/infoexchange/heritage.html http://www.ag.usask.ca/departments/plsc/nfdp/infoexchange/dev.html http://www.gnb.ca/afa-apa/40/05/4005105e.htm http://www.nsac.ns.ca/wildblue/facts/grow.htm#prod Blueberries spilled picture courtesy of Swardlick Marketing Group for WBANA . Top of page.... Web Page Design by Bobbi Nash,  University of Saskatchewan student as a class project December, 2002