Cutting blueberries: timing & instructions

Blueberries should be pruned regularly to ensure a bountiful yield. We show what you should consider when cutting blueberries.

blueberries (also called blueberries) are very popular with us. The cultivation of the heather family (Ericaceae) is also possible in your own garden, although the care required depends entirely on the species. In Germany, either the small-growing forest blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) cultivated or cultivated blueberries derived from the American blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) descended. Due to the high growth habit of up to three meters and the good yield, it makes sense to cut cultivated blueberries in certain cases, in contrast to forest blueberries. We show why and, above all, how you should cut the popular blueberry.

Cutting blueberries/blueberries: Why it's worth it

Plant breeding has produced large-fruited and high-growing cultivated blueberries in recent decades, which can tolerate pruning from time to time. Depending on the variety, the shoots tend to grow taller or wider. But a cut not only helps to maintain a beautiful shape and avoid excessive growth. Removing old shoots also allows more light to enter the bush. The plant can then invest its energy mainly in the remaining two to three-year-old shoots, which produce the largest amount of blueberries. Pruning is of particular importance when the bush is affected by a plant disease or pest. In this case, be sure to cut off affected parts of the plant to prevent further spread. A frequently occurring problem on the blueberry, for example, is the larvae of the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) In contrast, healthy plant parts can also be used for propagation. When cuttings are obtained, parts of a shoot are cut off and placed in an acidic substrate for root formation. With a little care, small blueberry bushes will grow again.

More information about Propagation of bilberries/blueberries see this article.

When should you cut blueberries/blueberries?

In the first few years after planting, blueberries should not be pruned due to their slow development. After that, it is advisable to carry out a thinning cut every three to four years to stimulate new growth from the base of the cane. You should remove old, diseased and too flat shoots. Basically, the optimal time for pruning blueberries is after the harvest in autumn (October/November) or in early spring (until March). During this time, the plant is no longer growing and the shrub tolerates pruning better.

Cuttings are usually taken and planted in the fall. When pruning in winter (if it should happen anyway), make sure that the Do not cut when the temperature is below freezing as this will damage the plant as well can harm. An exception to the winter pruning work, however, is pruning due to pests from spring into summer.

Cutting blueberries / blueberries: instructions

For the correct pruning of the blueberry, only ever cut off a few shoots on the plant and do not carry out any radical pruning. Gnarled and diseased branches can always be removed. An optimal shrub consists of about six to eight (three to four year old) branches and a few young shoots.

If a new shrub is still a very young specimen, it is also worthwhile to Cut off the blossoms in the first few years and only from a certain bush size do the berries overgrow permit. This allows the plant to put all of its energy into growth.

Cutting blueberries/blueberries: the most important things in brief

• Prune every 3 to 4 years
• Shrub thinning in winter
• No cutting work in frost
• Remove sick and gnarled shoots from time to time
• On very young plants, cut off the flowers in the first few years

These products are ideal for trimming your shrubs, hedges and trees:

• Felco secateurs: Manual lace pruning shears recommended for all types of pruning. In addition to plastic-coated handles, it has a precision adjustment system for the blade and anvil.
• Felco fruit tree and secateurs: Heavy duty fruit tree and secateurs with wire cutter, sap groove and micrometer adjustment.
• Gardena telescopic arm scissors: Practical pruning shears for effortless cutting of tall trees and dense shrubs from the ground.

In addition to cutting, there are other care measures that ensure a higher-yielding blueberry harvest. Here you will find the best Tips for growing blueberries/blueberries.