blueberry bush bush do well in the long growing time of year of Mississippi , but prune fruit - carry bushes often seems to intimidate new gardener . But the pruning really is n’t complicated , and with a few special considerations for your southern fix , you ’ll be disposed and convinced to do the job and establish a healthy , well - shaped and productive orchard of blueberry bushes . acute clippers or pruning shears will make your pruning job much easier .

Planting and First Year

Step 1

Identify any branches that are dead , diseased , weak or burst for remotion . Do not clip back for size or shape at this metre ; but hit insalubrious branch from the plant . The first pruning should be done at the clock time of planting ; do n’t wait until hot Mississippi conditions exercise set in . This will make additional stress to the young blueberry bush .

Step 2

Use sharp clippers and trend at the base of each branch you are removing . exploit your way of life around the George Bush , firmly have the offset to be remove in one handwriting and using clipper to snip it cleanly off . Take off any branches that look insalubrious : broken , mould or fungi present , no folio or dead / dying leaf .

Step 3

Remove all flower buds as well to advance sizeable plant growth rather than fruit production .

Step 4

water supply well after pruning . Pay close care to watering motive during the Mississippi summer . The pruning is meant to encourage growth , but without adequate water the bush will not be able to grow .

Step 5

inseminate a month after the initial pruning .

Step 6

Repeat the same process at the one - yr mark after planting ; again , it should be in the former springiness , when the flora is bud out . You want to advance growing again because the works is still establish itself . take away any leg that are damaged or diseased .

Step 7

lead 20 to 30 flower buds if the plant is respectable and growing well . If the plant life is tedious in growth , take away all blossom bud to promote more plant growth rather than fruit production .

Two Years' Growth and Up

Leave the flower bud inviolate ( except those attached to insalubrious branch ) when pruning during this clock time , unless the plant is super slow maturation . If the plant is growing slowly , fertilize three times : once in spring , once in mid - summertime and once again in declension .

Water well after each pruning .

Tip

Planting is best done in Mississippi in the springiness after the ground has thaw and you are past the last - rime day of the month .

Warning

Do n’t add diseased branches to a compost pile ; plant diseases can disperse to other plant in your garden .

References

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