My step son and family just moved onto some property in North Florida. It was severly overgrown. We helped clean the property this weekend and discovered 15 huge blueberry bushes scattered about. Some of them have smaller leaves than other. From the blossom and young fruit, they both appear to be blue berries. Are they? Some are more than 8 feet tall. My daughter-in-law is so excited! I have very limited knowledge to give her on this subject. Do berries only form on new growth? Do they require full sun? How far back should she prune them and when? There are many dogwoods, oaks, and other various trees, so the property is pretty shaded. Any help will sure be passed along and appreciated!
Any chance of photos? The leaves, total plant and possibly the fruit that is developing. If they are blueberries and are already setting fruit, then don't do any pruning until after they are finished. There are many different varies for different soil types and climates. But yes, some blueberry plants will grow very tall when they are left on their own. There is a blueberry farm in east Texas that has some around 6 feet tall...just depends on the variety.
Sorry no pics. We were all so worn out, didn't think about it! The reason I was thinking they were blueberries, is because they have the little "crown" at the bottom of the berry and the blossoms looked right. So no pruning for now, do they need full sun?
Friends have blueberries eight feet tall. Mine are varieties that are about four feet. When we used to do u-pick some of the bushes on the marshland were huge and prolific. Blueberries produce berries on the same branches year after year. i only prune dead, damaged or in-the-way branches. For me they are one of the easiest fruits to grow with the least maintenance. So lucky to have such a treasure on their property.
They could be lowland blueberry. Check your soil acidity. 15 mature blueberry can reward your dilligence.
I read where blueberries love full sun, but wild blueberries don't seem to mind shade so much? The critters always beat me to the wild blueberries. Around here we have a blueberry relative, which I have not yet tasted, called Farkleberries. I am not making them up. They are small trees about 8 ft tall, and are blooming now. The berry is similar in size to an olive pit, and the birds love them. They are edible.
Take a small branch tip with a few berries to your county extension agent. There is one in most every town. He can possibly help with variety common to your area.
There are hundreds of viburnum kin, among them upland, low land blueberry, farkleberry (as you note), huckleberry, amelancher, june berry; to name just a few. Some are more yummy than others. Just about all will probably keep us both alive...
My Mom is in Fla too. Found lots of uber tall blues on her property that they bought a couple years back. Definitely over 6' tall
