Aug 11, 2007 This past week we have had some sweltering heat. There were 3 days in a row that the temp was over 100 degrees with heat indexes of 108 degrees. The established plants don't seem to mind it. The new cuttings under the shade cloth don't care for it, but it will make them stronger and tougher, if they survive it. We have not had any rain since the 27th of July (2.5"). I started watering the fields again on Aug 6th. I will start again on the 13th. There is not any rain forcasted until the 17th (slight chance). This time of year is critical for the formation of buds. They won't become fruit buds until the weather cools down and the days get shorter. Over the last few weeks I have done some growth studies seeing how much a new shoot can grow in 1 week. I randomly picked out 5 plants. The average across all 5 was about 3-4 inches. One shoot grew about 5 inches. I will measure in another week to see if the heat has slowed them down any. I still cannot get over watching a new shoot stop growing and then either start again with the same shoot or send out additional shoots from the leave buds. The more shoots you have equals more berries. I have seen plants stop growing then continue the same shoot and I have seen some shoots that stop and then send out 6 new shoots where the leave buds are. If I could only figure out how to control the shoots, then you could more than double your berry crops in the first few years. I will try and get some pictures posted of what I'm talking about.
I cannot stress enough about making sure your plants get plenty of water every week. The plants don't need 3 inches 1 week and then nothing for the next 3 weeks. You need to try and average it out the best you can. The best way to maximize your plants growth is to make sure their is moisture available at all times.
Sept 4th, 2007 As usual the weather here in KY can't make it's mind up. We're in the 100's one day and the 80's the next. The plants still seem to be doing good. I have visited several other farms that didn't water their plants and you can really tell. I would guess there was probably a 20-30% loss and 0 new growth. Blueberries thrive with 2 things CORRECT PH and LOTS OF WATER. I've noticed my plants are starting to slow down their growth. That's good, all though I hate to seem them slow down. I believe I've made my mind up to change with fertilize schedule next year. I am going to try and push the plants. This year I waited 6 weeks between fertilizing. Next year I am only going to wait 4-5 weeks. That will give me 1 extra fertilizing. I didn't want to push them their first full year in the ground. The roots should be well established and able to handle the extra dose. I still won't fertilize later than July 15th. The last thing you want is alot of new growth late in the year. The plants will end up with winter damage if they grow to late in the year and not have enough time to harden off. I didn't have any problems with Japanese beatles this year, but the catepillars are starting to move in. I sprayed them this weekend with Malathion. We are still getting several orders in for this falls shipment. We are out of a few varities, but that won't happen next year. We have an extra large amount of cuttings that will triple our plant availability next year. I will be adding several new beds for next springs cuttings. As soon as I get everything built and added, I will update the pictures. I have some new pictures to download, I just haven't had the time to do it. I will include a picture of the family, don't want to leave anyone out. For anyone who sends me an email in Oct, my son and I will be on a mission trip to Ghana, Africa with our church from Oct 7th - 22nd. I am really looking forward to it. This will be my 2nd trip there and my sons first. Just to remind everyone, even if you aren't going to buy plants and just want to ask some questions, feel free. I could talk about blueberries until I'm blue in the face (hahaha).
Jan 17th 2008 It has been a rather warm winter so far here is KY. We have not had the first inch of snow yet. I think everyone is praying that we don't warm up to soon and then have an Easter freeze like last year. All the plants are looking good. I am in the process of building a greenhouse (hoop house). It should be completed by the end of January. I will be constructing another hoop house later in the Spring for the soft wood cuttings that i will be taking during the Spring/Summer months. I will have pictures in Feb/Mar with the completed greenhouse. Orders are continuing to come in even during Dec and January. We already have plants reserved for the Fall of 2008. There is one order pending for 3000+ plants. I don't expect to have much of anything left for fall orders after June/July. It always turns out that everyone wants what you don't have. If there is a specific variety that you are interested in and I don't have it listed, I should be able to get it for you, with enough notice. We are still 6 months away from berry pickin time and I am chomping at the bit to start. Of course by the time July/Aug is here I'll be tired and burned out on it. Hopefully I'll have new pictures of some stuff in Feb.
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