I planted some two- to three-year-old blueberry bushes about a year ago. I may not have transplanted them correctly. I did not loosen up the root system of each bush, did not shake out the soil mixture into which they were potted, and did not spread out the roots laterally within a two- to four-inch depth from the surface. Will my improper planting technique prevent these bushes from producing the gallons of berries that are in my dreams?
On the assumption that I need to pull them up and give them a better start, I have these questions:
Is this a good time of the year to pull them up?
Am I correct in loosening the root ball, shaking out the original potting mixture from the roots, and then spreading out the roots to a shallow depth?
Do you have any other tips for transplanting blueberries?
I wonder if the bushes have been healthy despite your not planting them exactly according to directions. You could wait and see how they perform this year, and then decide if you need to replant them. If you want to replant them in any case, the best time is in the early spring, after the soil has thawed but before bud break (in our climate, you may want to do this in very late winter).
According to The Berry Grower’s Companion by Barbara Bowling (Timber Press, 2000), you should remove half of the canes of a mature blueberry bush at the base of the plant. Prune any remaining canes back to 3-4 feet high. Dig around the root ball, taking as big a root ball as possible. (If they look rootbound, then do gently loosen the dirt around the roots). Be sure to have your new planting hole prepared beforehand […] the width of the hole should be sufficient to spread out the roots, and it should be deep enough to plant them at the same level they grew in originally. Make a bit of a mound in the middle of the hole and array the plant\’s roots over it, and fill in the hole. Tamp down the dirt gently, and water well. Once replanted, you can mulch around the plants with organic matter, such as grass clippings or straw.
Here is an article from Oregon State University entitled Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden which may be helpful.