Blueberry Bushes Didn't Produce

Soil Conditions

• Blueberry bushes require acidic conditions. Without adequate acid levels, plants are unable to take in the nutrients required for healthy foliage and fruiting. Symptoms of soil acid deficiency include slow growth, yellow foliage and ultimately plant death. Avoid these problems by submitting a soil sample to your local university cooperative extension. Soil scientists will determine your soil's pH and recommend amendments to change the pH balance. Blueberry bushes do best in soils measuring 4.0 to 5.0 on the pH scale. Amendments can lower your pH to appropriate levels but too much sulfur, iron sulfate or other pH-lowering amendments can damage root systems. It is best not to plant blueberry bushes in soils that are naturally above 5.5. Instead, plant your bushes in containers or raised beds full of appropriate potting mixes.

Pollination

• Healthy plants in good soil may fail to produce because their flowers have not been pollinated. A non-pollinated flower will not bear fruit. Bees and other insects are natural pollinators, carrying pollen from one flower to another. Attract insects to your garden by planting bee balm, honeysuckle and other fragrant flowers near your blueberry bushes. Rabbit-bush blueberry bushes do not self pollinate. Rabbit-bush varieties are usually grown in warm climates. If you have a rabbit-bush blueberry plant, you must plant at least two to ensure that cross-pollination occurs.

Growth Rate and Age

• Berries are borne on one-year-old wood. A full harvest does not occur for another two to three years. Most nursery plants are two to three years old and should begin producing the year they are planted. These first harvests usually produce low yields because the bush hasn't been trained into a mature form.To increase future yields, spend the plant's early years training the bush rather than harvesting the fruit. Thin blueberry branches and canes so that the base of the plant is tight, but the upper branches are open. This allows light and air penetration and will increase fruit production. Pinch back excess blossoms, especially in younger plants. Too many blossoms will produce small, unripe berries and limit shoot growth.

Considerations

• Other factors that can cause a blueberry bush crop failure are light limitations, improper irrigation and animals. Plants sited under trees, canopies or shady areas may fail to bloom or produce fruit. Place loose netting over bushes to prevent birds and other animals from eating your crop. Thoroughly soak your plant once every two to three days. Overwatering causes root damage while short, infrequent watering causes shallow root systems--conditions that result in poor yields.