Blueberry Burst has been bred in Australia. It has large fruit size and is high yielding. It is early in season to flower and early to fruit. What we really like about it is that it is an evergreen, so won’t drop it’s leaves.
It is said that the fruit can be as large as a one doller australian coin. Harvest time is stated to be August September for a cooler Melbourne garden. This is early and we’ll be interested to see how local home gardeners go.
The extra large fruit size has been obtained by traditional plant breeding methods, which has taken the plant breeder many years to perfect. Different blueberry varieties with different characteristics are cross pollinated until a plant with the right characteristics that is perfect for the home gardener.
The fruit is a crisp skinned, sweet fruit, harvested over 3 – 4 months resulting in a constant supply of delicious, healthy fruit, filled with blueberry’s renowned anti-oxidants.
This variety is an evergreen, “naturally dwarfing” variety growing to 1.0m high x 0.75m in width. It is self pollinating and because of its low chilling requirement can be grown anywhere in Australia. This variety has been growing in trials in both warmer and cooler climates in Australia with great success in all climates.
Some Growing Tips for achieving the ulimate blueberry crop.
Select a site that has full sun for most of the day. For Melbourne, with high summer temperatures with multiple days over 36 degrees, ensure plants receive shade from the afternoon sun and then move plants back out to full sun for Autumn, Winter and Spring. This could be achieved by growing in front of a west facing fenceline, or growing in a pot that can be moved. Otherwise, mulch well in summer, and water at the base of the plant early in the morning of a 36+ degree day. Don’t wet the leaves during the hot day, or they will fry.
For best results, the breeder recommends that Blueberry Burst® be grown in a pot or tub as this gives you more control over the pH, and gives good drainage. Blueberries are acid loving plants like camellias and azaleas. This requires a potting mix with a lower pH which we sell here in the nursery. You could also use aged pine needles as a mulch to aid in this process. pH 4.5 to 5.5 is what you are after.
Potting media could be 50% course pine bark mulch and 50% of our premium quality Camellia/ Azalea potting mix, mixed together. For warm dry regions the addition of pine bark may not be necessary, however it is still worth considering to keep a well aerated pot which will extend the life of your Blueberry in a pot considerably.
Feeding – Use a good 3 month slow release fertilizer or organic fertilizer such as composted cow manure every 3 months and add a good liquid fertilizer with added trace elements twice through the growing season. A good high potassium liquid fertilizer every 2- 3 weeks applied to the potting mix throughout the growing season will assist with fruit size. Plant health is very important for best results. A good, strong, healthy plant with foliage free from disease is very important to achieve beautiful fruit. Do not allow plants to lose their leaves from poor nutrition or disease.
Watering – Because the potting media is free draining, in warm weather plants should be watered every 2 days (Give plants up to 6 months old 1.5 litres and mature plants 2- 3 litres of water per plant or until water dribble’s out of the pot base). In Winter this can be reduced by 50%. Do not over water. Avoid watering plants over their foliage, as this will help to avoid promoting conditions for leaf fungal diseases. A helpful saucer under the pot can be very handy in summer, or a even drip line for when growing in the ground.
Pest and Disease – All Blueberry varieties are susceptible to fungal leaf diseases under high humidity and high rainfall, including blueberry rust. Apply a good copper fungicide like ‘Kocide’ or ‘Yates liquid copper’ to protect against this. So if we get weeks of drizzly rain, a preventative spray may be wise to consider.
Check for Caterpillar damage on a regular basis and control when necessary with ‘Dipel’, a low toxic solution.
Monitor for scale insects. The first sign is ant activity in the bushes, as ants seek out the sugary secretions of the scale. Use white oil or try pouring a small amount of soapy water onto the infected area for control.
Finally, when all those berries arrive, protect from birds, possums, kids, mums and dads and everyone and everything because we all love blueberries !
Good Luck