Better Blueberry Season by Season

Keep track of fruit development, ripening, and overall plant health remotely

Blueberry: Key Facts

Blueberries are perennial plants with sweet, nutrient-rich fruits that are commonly used fresh, frozen, or processed. Due to high levels of fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, these berries are considered a superfood. Different varieties of blueberries are suitable for home gardens and commercial production.

Provided that all soil composition and moisture requirements are met, blueberry is a low-maintenance plant and does not demand much effort. The plants can tolerate a rather wide range of temperatures but can’t grow in alkaline soil and are sensitive to soil pH, which should be strictly 3.8-5.5.

Height

1-12 feet (0.3-3.6 m), depending on the species

Growth form

Shrubs or small bushes

Yield per acre

2,000 to 20,000 pounds per acre (2,240 to 22,400 kg per ha) depending on the variety and growing conditions

Yield per plant

5 to 10 pounds (2.25 to 4.5 kg) per plant per season, depending on the variety, the age of the plant, and growing conditions

Propagation methods

Most commonly, blueberry is propagated through cuttings, separate branches, as well as by dividing the bush. For commercial purposes, such as industrial plantings, blueberry seedlings are obtained by microcloning (in-vitro). This process requires an artificial nutrient medium in sterile conditions and carefully controlled chemical and physical factors (light, temperature, and humidity).

Roots

Shallow, fibrous roots that do not extend deeply into the soil. The root system contains microzyme, meaning the roots are entangled with fungal threads, and mycelium is the primary conductor of nutrients to the plant—there are no other organs that could absorb nutrients, so blueberry poorly perceives the developed soil.

Pollination

Cross-pollination; bees are the primary pollinators. Only some varieties are self-pollinating.

Irrigation needs

High water needs (particularly during the growing season) with consistent moisture

Geography

United States, Canada, Europe

Climate

Temperate to cooler climates

Season

Spring flowering; late-spring or mid-summer fruiting

Growth cycle
duration

Perennial plants with peak production around 6-10 years

Soil

Acidic, well-drained soils high in organic matter.

Optimal is 4.5

Temperature

Generally, cold or chilly winters and mild summers

Common types

Lowbush Blueberry

(vaccinium angustifolium; wild blueberries)

Photo: usda.gov

Blueberry Phenophases and Signs to Look Out For

Bud swell

The first active growth phase. Buds start swelling, and their outer scales start to separate.

Common threats and diseases: Сold damage; mummy berry disease, phomopsis twig blight.

Signs to watch: Discolored, blackened, or unevenly swelled buds, signs of fungal diseases on bud scales.

Bud break

Rolled leaves start emerging from the opened buds, and first opening flower buds become visible.

Common threats and diseases: Cold damage; botrytis blight, aphid infestation.

Signs to watch: Wilting or browning young leaves, stunted or deformed growth, presence of insects.

Green tip

Leaves start unfolding, and green tips become visible on the buds.

Common threats and diseases: Leaf spot diseases, cutworms, leafrollers.

Signs to watch: Spots or lesions on emerging leaves, chewed or rolled leaves, wilting tips.

Tight cluster

Individual flowers become noticeable in the cluster although they are not fully opened yet. Also, new leaves and shoots emerge and enlarge.

Common threats and diseases: Botrytis blight, aphids and other sap-sucking insects, fungal infections (in the case of excess moisture).

Signs to watch: Gray mold on flower buds, sticky residue or honeydew on leaves, unevenly developing flower clusters.

Early pink bud and late pink bud

Individual flowers are fully separated from one another and are fully visible. The color of the petals changes from pink to white; they grow but remain closed at this stage.

Common threats and diseases: Botrytis blight, gray mold.

Signs to watch: Mold, grayish fuzz, discoloration, or mold or grayish fuzz on flower buds, signs of frost damage on the buds, such as browning or wilting.

Early bloom

Some corollas open while many remain closed, and pollination begins.

Common threats and diseases: Mummy berry disease, weather conditions that prevent proper pollination, thrips or mites.

Signs to watch: Wilting or browning flowers, discoloration or distortion of blooms.

Full bloom

Most of the flowers on the plant are fully open, and proper pollination is critical for the final yield.

Common threats and diseases: Botrytis blight, powdery mildew, pollination issues.

Signs to watch: White, powdery coating on flowers, flowers dropping prematurely, low fruit set despite full bloom.

Petal fall

Petals (corolla tubes) start to drop from the flowers, and small green fruits become visible. During this phase, plants are sensitive to temperature.

Common threats and diseases: Mummy berry infection, fruitworms or other early fruit pests, thrips.

Signs to watch: Brown or shriveled petals remaining on the plant, deformed fruits, presence of pests on young fruit.

Fruit development

Berries increase in size, and their color transitions from green to pale green with a red blush to pink to blue or purple. Within this stage, multiple sub-stages of 10% blue, 25% blue, and 75% blue are distinguished.

Common threats and diseases: Anthracnose, blueberry maggot, powdery mildew.

Signs to watch: Berries with sunken spots or lesions, signs of insect entry holes, abnormal fruit colors, powdery coatings on berries.

Harvest

Berries are fully ripe. The first berries are picked by hand because they ripen gradually at different times. For the next pickings, machines can be used. Usually, there are 2 to 5 pickings during the season.

Common threats and diseases: Overripening, bird damage, botrytis rot.

Signs to watch: Soft or mushy berries, evidence of bird pecking, mold on berries.

Leaf senescence

After harvesting, the plant prepares for dormancy, and growth ceases. Leaves start becoming yellow or red before falling off the plant but continue photosynthesizing to help the plant store energy for the next growing season.

Common threats and diseases: Leaf spot diseases and fungal diseases.

Signs to watch: Premature leaf drop, spots or lesions on aging leaves.

Dormancy

The plant is in a state of rest, preparing to survive cold and get ready for the next growing cycle. Before going into dormancy, the plant allocates buds to either vegetative or generative roles. The more energy it has accumulated earlier, the more generative buds it will have in spring.

Common threats and diseases: Phomopsis canker, stem blight.

Signs to watch: Cankers or lesions on branches, discolored or dead stems, signs of frost damage.

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Remote detection of fungal diseases

Blueberry, RGB Day

Blueberry, NDVI

Blueberry, RGB Night

Blueberry has reached its final size, turning color, and maturing. Possible early signs of Powdery Mildew as the leaves show slight curling and discoloration, which can be an indicator of this fungal disease.Also anthracnose berry rot may be present due to the presence of small lesions on the fruit, which is common in blueberries during fruit ripening.

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Health monitoring

Use real-time photo data to monitor plant health, identify nutrient deficiencies, and detect diseases and pest infestations early, preventing significant damage.