This week, the question was: Of these two shoots that were pruned from a blueberry plant, which would have produced larger, higher quality berries?
Blueberries, like many perennial crops, need pruning for maximum yield and fruit quality. I was in the field recently and saw a bush full of buds (material on the left). However, the buds were on old, tiny, “matchstick” size wood. This type of wood should be pruned out. The “matchstick” branches will yield many small, grainy, and poor-quality fruit. It is hard for growers to cut out wood that could produce fruit. By pruning this material out, plants will have more energy going to the healthier wood (material on the right), making bigger and higher-quality fruit. The younger wood has a vibrant color, is healthier looking, and often has less buds when compared to the matchstick wood. When pruning out this material, it feels that lots of yield is wasted and plants are bare but the results are more than worth it. The material on the right will make larger and higher quality berries than the material on the left. For an amazing tutorial on how to prune blueberries, check out the video below from Bill Cline of NC State. Dr. Cline starts talking about pruning at 7:01.
This week’s question is from Zack Snipes, Coastal Region Fruit and Vegetable Extension Agent.
The South Carolina Grower 