Previously, blueberries were considered a wild plant that grows only in wetlands or forests. Now many gardeners know that it is a home shrub, unpretentious in maintenance, but at the same time giving a good harvest. In order to achieve abundant flowering, you need to follow a number of simple rules that we set out below.
- Description
- Bush
- Berry
- Boarding Tips and Tips
- Selection of seedlings
- The best place
- Soil preparation
- Landing
- Peculiarities of care
- Growing problems
- Advantages and disadvantages
Description
Blueberry tall varieties "Patriot" was bred in 1976 in the United States. It was created for landscaping sites. The main function of the plant was decorative, later it began to grow as well in order to harvest the tasty berries. 
Bush
Blueberry bush on average reaches 1 m in height. Its distinctive feature is high decorative qualities.
Green plantings ripen in July - in the middle of the month or in its second half. It turns out that a little more than a month passes between the flowering of the shoots and the ripening of the crop - about 40 days.
One bush of blueberry gives an average of 6 kg of fruit per garden season. Adult plants that have been on the site for more than 4 years can produce 9 kg of net yield.
The leaves of the plant are small in size, have a soft oval shape. Young leaves are of a reddish hue, by the way, the unripe blueberry fruits have the same color. Over time, as the blueberry grows, the leaves gradually change color to our usual green. The bush is defined as self-pollinating. Nevertheless, gardeners say that cross-pollination with those plants that are nearby, makes the crop much more abundant and high-quality.
The plant is resistant to various diseases, including root rot - a common disease in plants.
Berry
Berries look a bit flattened at the sides. Fruits are large in size, reaching 20 mm in diameter. Berries grow on clusters, and on one bush there are a large number.
The first harvest is the most successful - the berries in this period are the largest.That is why it is very easy to assemble them manually. Further collection comes with smaller berries, they are difficult to pick off. Therefore, a mechanized method of assembly is used for such a crop.
The fruits have a characteristic bluish color. Not fully ripe berries will have a reddish tint. The stem is small, you can not even notice it at once. The color is characteristic green.
Boarding Tips and Tips
Blueberry variety "Patriot" is somewhat different from others in planting and caring for him. Soil for planting need to prepare immediately. It is desirable that the plant was in a well-lit area, as it loves the sun and grows better with its bright effect.
Selection of seedlings
In order for the harvest to be good, you need to initially find the right sapling. It is not necessary to buy shoots just planted in a container. Make sure the roots are visible in the holes.
The color of the bark should be dark at the base of the plant and brighten closer to the top. If you find that the leaves have a yellow tint, this means that the plant in excess contains potassium or calcium.
In this case, it will be necessary to limit the supply of these elements to the roots.However, it is better to initially buy healthy seedlings. 
The best place
So, we already know that planting blueberries is better in places that are well lit by the sun. Also, make sure that the territory where the bush grows, does not blow drafts or strong wind. All this can cause irreparable damage to the plant.
Plant blueberries better on higher ground. This will ensure the outflow of excess moisture from the plant, which does not love her. This effect can also be achieved by creating a trench that can be dug in a convenient place.
Soil preparation
Why do you need to prepare the soil for blueberries? The fact is that ordinary black soil is not suitable for the healthy life of the blueberry "Patriot". Before planting, make sure that the soil is acidic.
Recommended pH level: from 3.2 to 5.2. If the balance exceeds the maximum level, then it can be reduced by adding sulfur (but this should be done in the previous season). So the soil is oxidized by soil bacteria.
It is better if the blueberries will grow in loam or in sandy cakes. Such a soil composition is optimal; a heavier plant will not be accepted. 
It is necessary to create the most comfortable conditions for the growth of the bush, namely to prepare the drained soil. You can make it from peat and sand. Also added soil, which is desirable to take from under the pine.
The plant grows well on the soil in which there is a lot of organic matter. Therefore, experts often recommend planting green manure crops on the territory where blueberries will be grown next year.
Landing
You need to plant a plant early, but when exactly - in spring or autumn - it depends on you. If you live in an area that has a cold or cool climate, then it is better to land in spring.
The soil at the time of planting should already be quite acidic. To do this, you can make sulfur in the soil for plowing for six months (not later), or just water the soil with acidic water.
Seedlings for planting should already be in the containers next to you. Remove them from there and straighten the roots.Be careful: do not tear or confuse the roots.
The holes in which the blueberry is to be planted should be 60 cm deep, and the width and height should be 80 cm each. The size can be made wider (but not deeper) if the area allows. Keep a distance of 2 m between rows. It is recommended to sprinkle conifer needles on the ground after planting for better nutrition and moisture saturation.
Peculiarities of care
In the care of any plant, the main rule is timeliness. So is the case with blueberries: do not forget to water it in time so that the soil does not overdry.
Scattering conifer needles over the roots also allows you to keep the land around from pests such as weeds that interfere with the normal growth of blueberries. And to increase the level of yield, you can use an uncomplicated technique: 5 years after the first flowering, trim a bush.
The plant must be properly irrigated. Most often used for this drip system. This is very convenient, because if necessary, with the help of it you can add to the soil preparations to protect against pests.
This method also saves from frosts, which can suddenly catch up with blueberries in the spring, and is great for watering in the summer. Cons of drip irrigation - a strong water consumption and loss of the perfect appearance. 
Crop plants better in early spring. In this case, you can see which parts of the shoots have deteriorated after wintering and remove them. Also remove the thickened stems. Their presence will interfere with the normal development of the berries, and as a result the fruits may grow too small.
Growing problems
Blueberries are easy to care for, the only problems that can be on the way to normal cultivation are diseases and pests that affect the plant's body. However, even these pests quite a bit.
Among those who can harm blueberries are hares, mice, some species of birds, and larvae of the May beetle. One of the few diseases that can touch a plant is gray mold.
It is easy to notice: a fungus of the corresponding color will appear on the shoots. It may develop in the spring when the temperature is not high enough or when excessive humidity is present. 
Advantages and disadvantages
Blueberry garden varieties "Patriot" are chosen and loved primarily because it has many advantages over other plant species. Among the main advantages are:
These and many other positive aspects you can open in your garden plant, provided that you properly care for the culture.
If it is responsible to carry out all stages, including even the selection of seedlings, then blueberries can produce 9-10 kg of berries per season. Such a high fecundity is the highest in the list of all varieties.
The next plus is frost resistance. After all, not every plant can be grown in cold areas, where the climate is simply not created for gardening. Even at low temperatures, the berries remain tasty and keep a long shelf life. 
Positive is also considered to be the factor that the presented variety fights excellently with various diseases at the stage of their origin.
If there is not enough space on your site, but you want to get a good harvest, then growing blueberries is a great way to save space.This effect is achieved due to the growth of the bush is not in width, as is usually the case, but in length.
Often gardeners are faced with a problem when the crop dies due to spring frosts. Plus the tall blueberry "Patriot" is that it begins to bloom after such events, which means it will not disappear for that reason.
And finally: all the berries of the plant are securely attached to the bunch, and the bunch - to the branch. Therefore, the harvest does not fall from the bushes long enough, and this allows you to get additional time to harvest.
Of course, no plant can do without its drawbacks: blueberries will not bloom immediately. The first good harvest you get only after 5, and maybe even 6 years. Of course, before that the plant will bear fruit, but not so abundantly. 
Now that you know the description of the Patriot variety of blueberries, its main features and ways of care, you can put them into practice and get a bountiful harvest of large berries without spending a lot of energy.
