Anyone grafting blueberries? Why?

[cousinfloyd]

I really like the O’Neil fruit but in my area SHB are hard to grow, especially O’Neil.

Are there any exceptions? In other words, have you found any SHB or NHB types that do a lot better for you, anywhere close to as well as rabbiteyes?

[Auburn]

Are there any exceptions?

As of now my overall favorite blueberry is Millennia SH. I like it for several reasons. Blooms slightly later than the others but ripens earlier than most RE’s. It ripens/sweet with less hang time. It has been good as a stand along bush without grafting but I’m sure grafting it on Tifblue would be good as well.

[blueberrythrill]

I have only tried a few varieties of SHB so there may be exceptions. Also many new varieties have been introduced recently but as a general rule SHB are a lot more difficult to grow in the Piedmont than RE.

Legacy is normally classified as a SHB but it grows well, just like a RE. I have found both Emerald and Starr to be easier to grow than O’neil. I have never tried any NHB but a large grower grower in the Pilot Mountain area told me his NHB did not do well but I’m not sure which varieties he tested.

My SHB are spaced 3 feet apart rather than 6 like the RE, but 2 SHB produce less fruit than 1 RE plant.

[Auburn]

This is just an update on grafting and covering my Oneal blueberry bush. This is my first go at using this type bird protection. Looks like a pretty decent crop of early ripening berries.

002

[subdood_ky_z6b]

Wow, that’s a huge plant now, congrats on your results. Not taking a chance with the birds, I see! I understand though. When will they be ripe, about a month?

[Auburn]

There is about four turning today. Last year they started ripening about May 15. The bird net is one that I found in the camping section at Walmart.

[Auburn]

First picking of grafted Oneal. Correct date is 20190507

[Zap85]

Is it mosquito netting?

[Zumo]

I guerilla grafted highbush blueberry onto one of our native Oregon huckleberries, Vaccinium ovatum. I was in a rush and didn’t label varieties, but I believe var. ‘Elliott’ was the one that took. Still alive 3 years later, but not thriving, probably because it’s in the shade.

I did this mostly out of curiosity, but also because V. ovatum is far more drought-tolerant than corymbosum (much deeper rooted).

[Auburn]

I’m pretty sure it is mosquito netting. I really like the ease that it went on and also when I lifted for picking. Looks like it could be used for several years.

[Auburn]

V. ovatum is far more drought-tolerant than corymbosum (much deeper rooted).

My rootstock used was Tifblue which is also drought tolerant and vigorous.

[Zumo]

Auburn, your grafts look great–that Tifblue seems to be really working.

I took a farm tour led by a USDA researcher who is (was?) grafting standard commercial highbush varieties on farkleberry/sparkleberry (V. arboreum rootstock). The idea was to get a single-stemmed plant that could tolerate broader pH ranges and would behave better for mechanical harvesting. The health and vigor of the individual grafted plants in the plots varied wildly, apparently related mostly to the genetic variation among seedlings. Last I heard, they had identified a few exceptional seedlings and were working on propagating those.

We have a huge blueberry crop here in Oregon, but because of the low humidity and up to 5 months without much rainfall, the amount of water we have to use on blueberry fields is staggering. The recommendation is up to 15,000 gallons per day on 1 acre of blueberries in July. Hopefully they’ll keep researching improved rootstock options.

[Auburn]

I don’t know how these grafts will perform long term but the process has been enjoyable. Oneal and Star blooms so early the crop is reduced but it is nice to get some early berries to snack on.

[lordkiwi]

if your looking for a source of mesh bagging https://www.dollartree.com/essentials-white-mesh-laundry-bags-with-drawstrings/186720

[Auburn]

Another year and the grafted Oneal continues to do well. The weather has been favorable and most of the berries came through in good condition. Net goes on in about two weeks.

[californicus]

Very interesting thread. Just wanted to mention this webpage which documents a similar experiment that @JoeReal quotes above in FL (blueberry on sparkleberry rootstocks)

How blueberries are grafted

I couldn’t find much info on the water and its pH used to irrigate these plants. Neutral pH city water and alkaline soil are probably the challenges for backyard growers here.

[californicus]

A more recent report. Interesting finding is

by year three and subsequently, plant growth and berry yield of grafted plants was greater than own-rooted plants when grown in non-amended soil and yields of grafted plants in non-amended soil were similar to own-rooted plants grown in amended soil

Are Grafted Blueberry Plants in Florida’s Future?

I need to find myself some sparkleberry seeds/seedlings

[ojitopaul]

Joe.I’m also trying to grow blueberries ( new mexico )outside of their native habitat. 80 plants. Northland, Sweatheart, Bluecrop and Last Call in raised beds amended with peat moss, sulfur, wood chips. Irrigation water amended via drip with vinegar to a 5.5ph. Also a white 50% shade cloth and misters on hot summer days.
I’d like to try grafting onto Sparkelberry like you’ve
done, mainly for ph sensitivity. Where in Oregon did you get your Sparkelberry plants. I’ve got seed to plant but would really like established plants and can’t find a source.

[cousinfloyd]

For whatever it’s worth, I bought some sparkleberry plants from Mailordernatives in Florida. I didn’t have great success with their sparkleberries, but I don’t blame that at all on Mailordernatives. I did wonder, though, if the sparkleberries in Florida are any different than sparkleberries from their northern range.

I have had good initial success transplanting relatively scrubby-tree-like vaccinium plants from the woods and using it for rootstock. I’d like to know what species it is. I think sparkleberry is only supposed to grow wild more or less in the Coastal Plain, and I’m on the opposite side of the Piedmont.

Where did you get your seed? Have you germinated any yet?

[ojitopaul]

Floyd,
Thanks for the reply… I got sparkelberry seed on ebay from ‘gottliebraphael’. Will plant soon. Reieved on March 1st. Have been stratifying.