Description of the Northland blueberry variety, planting and care, diseases and pests

Northland blueberries are widely known among plant growing enthusiasts as one of the best frost-resistant varieties, which explains its widespread cultivation, even in regions with harsh climates. The northern country, as the name of the plant is translated from English, when creating comfortable conditions for growth, can delight for a long time and abundantly with its tasty and healthy fruits. To achieve good results from this amazing bush, you need to know its strengths and weaknesses, the basic rules of planting and care.

History of Northland Blueberry Breeding

This relatively heat-loving plant is cultivated in the Western Hemisphere. The Northland blueberry was developed in 1952, although work began in 1948. Its authors were C. Johnston and J. Moulton from the University of Michigan in the USA. The Berkeley variety, which is distinguished by its tall growth, and the 19-H hybrid, obtained from compact blueberries and Pioneer seedlings, were used as a parent pair. In 1967, Northland blueberries were included in the State Register of the Russian Federation.

Pros and cons of culture

The following positive characteristics were noticed when growing Northland blueberries:

• high level of frost resistance;
• early ripeness of fruits;
• compact bush size;
• excellent consumer and product qualities;
• high productivity rates;
• unpretentiousness to growing conditions and care
• increased immunity to major ailments and parasitic individuals;
• highly decorative.

But Northland blueberries also have their drawbacks, which are worth knowing about in order to get a rich harvest:

• low level of drought resistance;
• the need for additional pollinators;
• painfully tolerates drafts and strong gusts of wind;
• grows well only on soils with high acidity;
• The process of reproduction occurs slowly.

Despite some disadvantages of the Northland blueberry, its advantages completely cover them, making it one of the most popular.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Northland blueberries belong to the category of collective plants; planting them in single copies is ineffective. Knowing all the main characteristics of a culture, it is possible to understand what conditions it needs for normal growth and development.

Bush and root system

Northland blueberry is a low-growing plant, its height is no more than 1.2 meters. The bush is spreading and has a powerful trunk; it forms dense growth. The type of root system is fibrous, located close to the soil surface. No root hairs are observed.

The shoots are erect and even, their green color remains throughout the year. Thanks to its strong branches, the bush is not afraid of snow loads. The leaf blades of the Northland blueberry have a glossy surface, the color is rich green in summer, and by autumn it changes to fiery red. Their length is no more than 3 centimeters.

Northland blueberry inflorescences grow small in size and resemble bells in appearance. Their color is pale pink. The round berries have a fairly dense structure, with an average size of 1.6 centimeters. A light bluish coating is visible on the light blue skin. The consumer qualities of Northland blueberries are excellent: the taste is sweet, harmonious, and the aroma is pronounced.

Northland blueberries have a tasting score of 4.0 points out of 5 possible.

Flowering and yield

The flowering phase of Northland blueberries begins in late spring, and the fruiting period lasts about three weeks. Given the mid-ripening of the crop, fruit ripening occurs in mid-July and lasts until August.

It is recommended to harvest 2-3 times a week, since Northland blueberries are prone to shedding quickly.

The crop begins to bear fruit in the second year after planting in a permanent place. It produces a stable and abundant harvest, productivity indicators are 4-5 kilograms per planting, under favorable conditions - up to 8 kilograms. The lifespan of the bush is up to 30 years.

Area of ​​application of berries

Northland blueberries are versatile. They can also be used to prepare various desserts, compotes, and jam. They are especially useful for the body when eaten fresh.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Northland blueberries have a high degree of resistance to major diseases, especially the fruit mummification virus, and harmful insects.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

In case of violations of agricultural practices and unfavorable weather conditions, the crop can be overtaken by diseases such as gray rot, physalosporosis, stem cancer, and moniliosis. If the bush has been exposed to a viral or fungal disease, then in most cases it should be completely disposed of.

Of the pests, Northland blueberries are often attacked by bud mites, small aphids and flower beetles. In addition, birds are not against eating sweet and juicy berries. To protect the crop from them, it is recommended to use strips of polymer film that are fixed to the branches of the bush.

Landing technology

Growing Northland blueberries in regions with a variable climate is not easy, but it is quite possible, the main thing is to initially create favorable conditions for it to grow.

Deadlines

It is recommended to carry out planting work either in early spring, when it is warm and the threat of return frosts has passed, or in the fall. But it is preferable to plant Northland blueberry seedlings in the spring so that they have time to adapt to new conditions and prepare for wintering.

Preparing the soil and planting hole

For better growth and development, you need to choose a site for planting Northland blueberries in a clearing that is well-lit and protected from cold winds. Planting in the shade does not bring the desired results. It is not advisable to place the bushes near tall garden plants, otherwise the berries will be sour.

The soil at the planting site should not be depleted; the seedlings are in great need of nutrients. The best option is light, well-drained soil, saturated with useful components - humus. The acidity index should be in the range of 3.5-5.0. To grow crops, it is effective to use high-moor peat or a composition based on it.

Preparing a seedling

To avoid problems with the plant in the future, it is recommended to purchase planting material from special nurseries or at exhibitions. The seedlings must be with a closed root system, two years old and shoots 35-50 centimeters long. Before planting, the container with the plant should be kept in a container of water for 30 minutes.

Algorithm and landing scheme

In order for a young plant to take root and grow faster, you must adhere to the following technology:

• Dig a hole 50 centimeters deep and 50-60 centimeters wide.
• Place a drainage cushion made of expanded clay, pebbles, and crushed stone on the bottom (layer thickness 7-10 centimeters).
• Fill the hole with a nutrient composition of peat, soil, coniferous litter and humus to 10-15 centimeters.
• Place the prepared seedling in the center of the hole and straighten its roots.
• Sprinkle with soil mixture and compact it carefully so that there are no voids.
• Mulch with sawdust, peat or pine nut shells (layer thickness 5-10 centimeters).
• Moisten the soil with acidified water, where 40 grams of citric acid are used per 10 liters of liquid.

The optimal distance between plantings is 1.5 meters, and between rows 2-2.5 meters.

Rules of agricultural technology and care

Basically, caring for Northland blueberries comes down to irrigation, loosening the soil, and adding nutrient mixtures.

Watering and fertilizing

Blueberry bushes should be moistened regularly, once every 7 days. And in the fruiting phase - once every 4-5 days. The volume of water per adult plant is 10 liters. Divide it into 2 doses, irrigating the bushes in the morning and evening hours. It is more efficient to use a drip irrigation system for watering blueberries.

For feeding procedures, it is recommended to use preparations with a high concentration of nitrogen, as well as complex mixtures. Fertilizer is applied for the first time at the initial stage of sap flow, the second time during the flowering phase, and the third time during the formation of ovaries.

It is undesirable to add organic compounds to the soil; they have a detrimental effect on blueberry bushes.

Mulching and loosening beds

To prevent cultivated plants from experiencing a deficiency of nutrients and moisture, it is necessary to periodically remove weeds near them. Loosening the soil will allow you to avoid oxygen starvation of the roots, but it should be done carefully, to a depth of 10 centimeters.

To retain moisture in the soil, you need to use mulch, for example, peat, sawdust, crushed tree bark, grass. The layer thickness should be from 5 centimeters.

Formative pruning of shrubs

Considering the slow growth rate of shoots, you should not get too carried away with pruning them.To create a more compact shape, the branches of the bush should be tied up. In the spring, the plantings are inspected and removed from incompetent branches, including those infected with pathogenic microorganisms.

Pruning helps prevent them from being damaged by the weight of snow. To increase the productivity of Northland blueberries, shoots that are older than 7 years are removed, and to increase the size of the berries, five-year-old branches are pruned.

Methods of control and prevention against diseases and insects

To combat stem cancer and gray rot, it is recommended to avoid waterlogging of the soil and excessive amounts of nitrogen-containing fertilizers. In case of infection with these ailments, Fundazol and Topsin work effectively. Similar drugs are used for physalosporosis, and Bordeaux mixture has proven itself well against moniliosis.

Insecticidal agents such as Actellica, Karate, Calypso will help protect plantings from aphids. It is possible to fight the kidney mite with the help of iron sulfate, Nitrofen, KZM. You can defeat the flower beetle by using Fufanon and Intavir.

Preparing for winter

When growing Northland blueberries in areas with harsh winters, additional coverings should be used: spunbond, burlap. The use of polyethylene can lead to rotting of the bushes. In addition, you should add fertilizer with a high concentration of magnesium to the soil (at the end of August).

Reviews about the variety

Northland blueberries have proven themselves predominantly on the positive side. It is chosen for its relative unpretentiousness to living conditions and high productivity.

Alexey, 56 years old, Saratov

I planted the variety quite recently, but have already managed to evaluate its frost resistance.Of course, I still covered the young plants, and when they grew up, they cope with low temperatures quite well.

Anna, 46 years old, Novgorod

I liked the Northland blueberry for its high yield and low maintenance requirements. There is no special need to carry out formative pruning; it is enough to water the plant in a timely manner and add nutrients.