Blueberry Plant Stages

Bud Swell

• New growth begins in the springtime when soil temperatures begin to warm. These early season growers begin forming small buds near the ends of the bare branches. These buds later form blossoms and fruit on the plants. This growth stage normally occurs before the final frost of springtime and the new buds can withstand freezing temperatures to near 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Leaf buds begin emerging along the sides of the stems after the fruit buds form.

Blossoming

• The blossoming stage of growth begins when the fruit buds begin to open, an occurrence known as bud burst. As blueberry blossoms continue to open, they form clusters of small white flowers that resemble small bells. This stage occurs during the spring when the low temperatures remain in the 30-degree Fahrenheit range. Blossoms can withstand a few light freezes at this stage. The shrubs bloom for a period of about three weeks, after which time the petals fall from the stems.

Fruit Formation

• The base of the blossoms provides the location for fruit formation. The small green bulbous formations near the stem begin to enlarge and swell, initially forming green berries that eventually turn an even shade of blue as they begin to ripen. Fruit formation on blueberry bushes takes about two months after the bushes bloom. Mature blueberry plants commonly produce around 2 lbs. of fruit each year. Some varieties, such as Southern highbush and Rabbiteye, can produce between 8 and 25 lbs. of fresh berries annually.

Dormancy

• Like most deciduous shrubs, blueberry plants go through a dormant stage. This stage begins in the fall when shrubs drop their leaves and stop actively growing. Over winter, the plants rest and require very little care. Annual pruning during dormancy will help shape the bush and remove overgrown stems. A layer of mulch on the soil over the roots can help insulate the root system from hard frosts during cold winter months.