Description and characteristics of blueberry variety Denis Blue, planting and care

Denis Blue blueberries were first developed in North America. Since the 20th century, the bush began to be cultivated by summer residents. This variety of berry plant is unpretentious in care and easily takes root in open areas. The variety is suitable for cultivation for personal consumption or on an industrial scale. In order to properly plant a bush and care for it in accordance with the standards, you need to familiarize yourself with the information below.

History of origin

Garden blueberries, native to America, previously grew in the wild. Through breeding activities, varieties were created that were distinguished by high yields and resistance to low temperatures. The blueberry bush is tall, capable of growing up to 3 meters high. The berries are tasty, sweet, without sourness. Varietal bushes have taken root in the gardens of Moscow, the Moscow region and the CIS countries since the late 1990s.

Advantages and disadvantages of Denis Blue blueberries

The variety of blueberry bush has a number of positive and negative aspects that you need to become familiar with.

Description and varietal characteristics

The blueberry variety belongs to the group of New Zealand varieties. The berries are widely valued in Europe, the USA, and Australia. The fruits are one of the largest among their counterparts, and the taste is unusually pleasant. The plant is stocky and tolerates various weather conditions. The bush reaches a height of 1.5 meters. The species ripens 2 weeks later than Bluecrop, but ripening is amicable.

Harvest by mid-July or early August. Productivity is regularly high, mature bushes produce up to 7 kg of blueberries. The crop bears fruit in the 3rd year after planting. In the first year of the bush’s life, it is better to cut off all the flowers so that it does not waste energy on pollen. Maximum results are observed in the 5th year after planting. The variety needs periodic pruning; the central part is thinned out.

The blueberry variety Denis Blue is famous for the following characteristics:

• leaves narrowed towards the bottom, pointed, bright green in color with a glossy sheen;
• pinkish flowers;
• the fruits are bright blue, rich in color, with a whitish coating, weight reaches 1.8 grams, good transportability;
• multi-berry clusters, medium density, easy to harvest;
• good winter hardiness.

The last point is not suitable for northern latitudes. Blueberry bushes need insulation, since they will not withstand frosts below -35.

Culture planting technology

Denis blueberries do not require special technologies when planting. The crop should be planted in places where there is no excess moisture, as this factor contributes to the death of the plant. The bush prefers to grow in conditions of moderate humidity. It is advisable to plant blueberries in open areas where there are no garden crops. The area where the berry will grow should be bright and quiet, protected from drafts by other trees. It is advisable to give preference to a sunny place on the plot. These conditions will contribute to a good harvest.

Optimal timing

Denis Blue blueberries are planted preferably in March or October. The earth should warm up, the air temperature should remain at least 10 degrees Celsius. In the South, you can start planting in the fall, the seedlings will not freeze. In northern and middle latitudes, postpone planting to March, before sap flow.

Preparing seedlings and soil for planting

Planting material must be at least 2 years old. Prepare it this way:

• For the rhizome to develop normally, place it in a clay mash for 15 minutes;
• knead the dense lump of earth around the root system;
• straighten the rhizome and lay it horizontally for quick establishment of the bush.

On the prepared plot, from which cut trees and weeds have been removed, it is necessary to dig holes for planting.

1. Depending on the type of soil on the site, dig a hole 40*60 cm, or make a depression 10 cm inward in clay soil.
2. The hole is filled to the top with the prepared mixture, and on clay soil, a mound is made.
3. Mix all components and compact.
4. When preparing holes, maintain a distance of 1 meter between bushes.

Weed the soil so that it is saturated with oxygen. Blueberries should not be planted in a place where there is accumulation of water. This is fraught with necrosis of the roots. The soil should be light, acidic, well drained. The acidity reaction is normally pH 3.4-4.8.

Planting process

Blueberries are planted according to the following steps:

• place the seedling in a hole, straighten the root system, cover it with earth;
• during planting, take into account that no fertilizer is applied to the rhizome; the blueberries are pressed in later;
• water the bushes.

Mulching is carried out using sawdust and wood chips, which are poured in a layer of at least 10 cm thick.

Caring for tall blueberries

Caring for Denis Blue blueberries is simple; even an inexperienced gardener can cope with this task.

1. Regular watering.
2. Mulching.
3. Fertilizer.
4. Trimming.
5. Maintaining the required level of soil acidity.

The last point involves watering the ground under the bushes with diluted water and citric acid in a ratio of 1 tsp. per 3 liters, 9% vinegar 100 ml per 10 liters. An electrolyte acidifier is also used for batteries. Take 5 milliliters per 1 liter of water.

Frequency of irrigation of bushes

Water blueberries 2 times a week, 1 bucket per adult bush.It is important to do this in July-August, when the berries are ripe and the harvest for the next year is laid. In hot weather, you can spray the plants with water from a spray bottle.

What and how to feed the variety

Fertilize blueberries with complex fertilizers 3 times during the growing season. The procedure is carried out in March, during pollen and until July 10. The volume of added substances should not be more than 1 tbsp. for a 2-year-old bush for the entire season. For each year of life, plants increase the amount of feeding by 2 times. You can use fertilizers for heathers, universal combinations, Azofoska. Blueberries don't like manure.

If the crop “feels” poorly, this will be manifested by a change in the color of the leaves. A lack of mineral components, the acidity of the soil has changed - everything will be reflected on the leaves.

1. When blueberries lack nitrogen, the leaves turn yellowish-green, then reddish.
2. Phosphorus deficiency is manifested by a purple tint to the leaves.
3. Iron deficiency, or chlorosis - young leaves are lemon-colored with a green network of veins.
4. Magnesium deficiency is caused by red edges of old leaves.
5. Sulfur deficiency is characterized by yellowish-white or white-pinkish foliage. The lack of this substance is fraught with changes in acidity and a lack of nutrition for the crop.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the lack of specific elements so that the plant produces a bountiful harvest and does not wither.

Formative pruning of blueberries

Due to pruning, the yield increases, the fruits will be more tasty, larger, more presentable, and the bush will be protected from diseases and bugs. The plant should be formed before the sap flows.

The work is carried out as follows:

• young bushes form a bush from the age of 2, shorten the branches by 1/3, remove all small branches at the base, remove buds that are about to bear fruit;
• adult bushes are pruned to increase fertility, removing loose branches, leaving only upward-growing specimens.

Blueberries are famous for their good winter hardiness; they are covered only in the northern regions, where the temperature remains low for a long time.

Prevention of diseases and pests

The bush is rarely attacked by beetles or diseases. To prevent this from happening, preventive measures are taken. In March, before the start of sap flow, the bush is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. After the leaves bloom, repeat the manipulation with Topsin M 0.2%, Euparen, Roval. In November, when the leaves fall, treat with fungicides again.

Frost protection

Denis Blue blueberries will withstand temperatures dropping to -30, but if the cyclone is short-lived, the bush is covered with snow. To protect the berries from freezing and drying out, it is necessary to tie the crop with spruce branches. The needles will help retain snow and protect against hares who want to feast on the branches. You can build a frame and stretch burlap on top. Unripe branches usually freeze, therefore, it is necessary to create conditions to ensure the completion of growth and ripening of the wood. After July 10, the bush stops fertilizing.

Blueberry reviews

Feedback from gardeners about Denis Blue blueberries is mostly positive.

Tamara Viktorovna, 43 years old, Kislovodsk:

The Denis Blue blueberry bush is easy to grow, bears juicy fruits, and survives winters well. The variety is worthy of cultivation; I use the berries to preserve them for the winter; my children also eat the berries fresh.

Olga Petrovna 50 years old Bragin:

This blueberry variety Denis Blue captivated me with its size and, above all, the taste of the fruit. I work mainly with my husband on the site; compared to our other pets, blueberry bushes are easy to care for and do not require excessive attention. There is enough harvest to eat fresh and to preserve some; my husband even wants to try making a liqueur from blueberries.