My most recent blueberry cuttings grew roots, I took them out of the dome and they survived for about 2 weeks and then died. I don't get it. They all get a brown/copper spot on the leaves before dying. I know the plants are healthy. I started them in the same thing I always use. Worm castings and coconut coir. Am I missing something as to what media to use for starting blueberries? Do I need more acidity, less? Please help as I would really like to get a couple started before fall sets in and they have to stay in all winter. I have failed 11 times now and this is really getting frustrating. I have never had this problem starting anything.
I haven't rooted blueberries, but I would suggest not using the wormcastings, but use a soiless mix, peatmoss, vermiculite and/or perlite in whatever amounts you have or choose to use. Do you use a rooting hormone? this is necessary for success. What time of the year are you doing this? Spring is the best time, by the way. never ever let them dry out. keep the media moist. What growing zone are you in? are you using the "right" berries for your climate? high bush/low bush are for colder zones and rabbit eye are for warmer zones. I really hope you are successful at this. BUT I always buy my blueberries started, I just don't have the time to babysit them.
Zone 8a. Plants are ones that have produced for 2 years ow and are growing great. I have 4 different varieties that are all recommended for this area. All came from a local nurseries. 2 high bush, 1 low bush and one self pollinator. I have the names somewhere in another post but it eludes me right now. First clippings were taken in April when I got some good new shoots. Second ones were taken in June, third in July and latest ones in September. I use a rooting hormone that I have used to start everything from Peperomia and walking sticks to apples and roses. This is the only plant I have that I can not get a start off to go past the initial little root stage. The only thing I have been able to find is that I should have been using a more acidic medium.
Since you have berries already established that is what I was wanting to make sure of, trying to grow an unsuitable variety almost is always unsuccessful. Definitely forgo the wormcastings, change to a soiless peat mix and lose the bacteria load. cuttings don't need the nutrients to make roots. You aren't peeling off the leaf node when you strip the leaves? that node will make the root, not the stem, btw. Put the cutting some place you won't disturb it...even to transplant it for at least 6 months. I have ruined several hardwood cuttings "checking" the root development. Maybe you are stressing it too much and not giving it enough time in the rotting soil or direct root the cutting to the place you want it planted to begin with.
Here is my guess. First off you are doing great getting cuttings to form roots. My guess is you aren't leaving them under glass long enough to form enough roots. Blueberries need a fairly thick root mass to support a plant from my experience. The transitions from dome to moist shade (no sun) should be lengthy (1st few seasons) to allow for more root growth. Hope your efforts are successful. Can't have too many blueberries
Well that makes sense because they always die after I take them out of the dome. They are indoors but the weather is already turning cold here so I will have to deal with them indoors I guess. The cuttings are also soft wood, new growth this year. I don't have enough hard wood to even try cutting them back yet and trying that route. Maybe next year since this year they have doubled in size. Now all I need to do is find room to house them until next spring so I can slowly move them outside and harden them off. Hopefully that doesn't throw their dormant cycle all out of whack. I do have a smallish green house I can fix up to put them in but I doubt they will be even close to ready by the time fall weather sets in here.
Why not try direct rooting them right in place over the winter. dip them in root tone, stick the cutting in the dirt and cover with a glass jar (sprayed lightly with an opaque white paint) and leave it in place over the winter and spring.
With softwood cuttings? Hardwood I can see but not sure if the softwood ones I have would survive anything like that. Is worth a try though. Can't be much more of a failure than my other attempts.
