Description of the variety of tall blueberries Chandler, planting and care rules
Chandler blueberries are widely grown for personal consumption and for sale. The variety appeared on the horticultural market 25 years ago, and has gained popularity in the CIS countries since the end of the last century. European berry does not require special care, it is easily grown even by inexperienced summer residents. For successful breeding of bushes, you need to familiarize yourself with all the features.
How the variety was bred
The large-fruited blueberry variety was created in 1994 by European breeders. The variety is recommended for growing in areas with moderately cold or mild, snowy winters. Chandler blueberries bear fruit late, but the berries are large, juicy, marketable.
Pros and cons of culture
The Chandler blueberry variety is famous for its many positive qualities, but there are also negative aspects.
| pros | Minuses |
| Stable yield | Demanding to the composition of the soil, fertilizers |
| Large, juicy fruits | Blueberries are poorly transported |
| Undemanding care | |
| Fast fruiting growth, disease resistance | |
| Survival at low temperatures |
Characteristics and description of blueberry Chandler
The bush bears fruit at a later date, 2 weeks later than the Bluecrop variety. Berries are more suitable for fresh consumption, since they are not shelf-stable. Blueberries leave no one indifferent, not only because of the huge berries that ripen at the same time, but also because of a number of features.
Characteristic features of blueberries:
- berries are large, flattened, blue with a whitish waxy coating;
- fruits are delicate, poorly transported over long distances;
- the harvest is plentiful, regular, harvests stretch from 4 to 6 weeks, from early August to September 15.
Bushes can withstand frosts up to 28 degrees, average winter hardiness.
The size and branching of the bush
Tall shrub grows up to 150 cm high. The plant has strong, fast growing shoots, branched habit. The foliage grows large, white-pinkish. When blooming, the garden takes on a romantic atmosphere. Blueberries serve as an additional decorative element.
Flowering and fruiting
Chandler blueberries begin to bloom from late June to mid-July. Fruiting starts in early August, lasts 1.5 months, until October 15. During this period, up to 8 kg of berries can be harvested from one bush.Due to the extended periods of fruiting, summer residents can harvest fruits as they ripen, even on weekends.
This feature will not be to the liking of farmers, whose activities are aimed at simultaneously obtaining a large amount of harvest for sale.
Collection and application of berries
Large-fruited blueberries are harvested in 5-6 approaches, since the yield is stretched. The collection starts from the bottom of the bush and ends at the top. Berries are widely used for fresh consumption. They also make jams, jams, candied fruits from blue, tasty and dense fruits, and decorate desserts.
Susceptibility to diseases and insects
The Chandler blueberry variety has a powerful immune system, resists fungi, aphids, and cancer. Sometimes you have to fight harmful bugs or diseases with the help of chemicals or folk remedies. The protective functions of a plant depend on proper care for it, soil fertilization. If unattended, blueberries will often get sick.
Resistant to low temperatures and drought
The maximum blueberry variety Chandler can withstand frosts of -28 degrees. In most regions of Russia and other CIS countries, this temperature is the norm. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the South, since in the northern and middle latitudes, berry shelter is required, it can freeze out.
Planting culture on the site
The holes are made in standard sizes - 50 * 50 * 60 cm, maintaining a distance between the bushes of 2.5-3 meters. One plant should have a space of at least 1.5-2 meters. After planting, constant watering is required, the moisture content of the earth is maintained within 70%. Drying out or too much moisture will harm the plant.
To preserve moisture, the root circle is covered with a mulch layer. Then frequent watering is not required.
Optimal timing
Saplings are planted in open soil in spring or autumn, the sprouts can be replanted from March to late October, while there is no frost, along with the soil. In the South, autumn planting is possible, subject to a warm climate, a young bush will have time to form a rhizome by frost. In the northern regions and the middle lane, planting work is carried out in the spring. It is important that the ground warms up 15-17 cm deep. The air temperature should not drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the seedling will freeze.
Suitable soil
Blueberries prefer to grow on loose soils, with a high content of sand, peat, acidity in the range of 3.8-4.8 pH. You can plant bushes next to sorrel, mint, horsetail. If the acidity is 6, blueberries will grow slowly. In neutral or alkaline soils, the cultivar may not take root.
Sprouting by seeds
Blueberries are widely propagated using seeds that are obtained from fully ripe, good fruit. After separating the pulp from the stone, they are dried, and in the fall they are planted on the territory in shallow holes. Before growing up, you need to steadily weed, moisturize and nourish. After that, the young bush is transplanted to a permanent place. It is important to maintain an optimal distance between plants, approximately 0.5 meters.
Growing by cuttings
Reproduction of the blueberry variety by root cuttings starts with preparation in November. Separate them from their parent, put them in the sand, put them in a cool place. After 2 years, with careful care, they will turn into a good seedling. Planting material can be planted in open soil to get a harvest for the next year.
Fruit bush care
It is not difficult to care for blueberries, it is only important to give them a little attention. The following manipulations are performed:
- regular watering, feeding, weeding;
- mulching the beds;
- pruning a bush;
- preventive treatments for beetles and diseases.
In the North or in the middle latitudes, shelter of bushes for the winter is required.
Watering and feeding the plant
It is necessary to water blueberries 1-2 times a week, depending on the weather conditions.1 bush will need 10 liters of water, previously settled. Do not pour cold liquid, it harms the plant. Regular watering ensures a stable harvest, the setting of flower buds for the next year. Without irrigation, there will be fewer berries.
Drip irrigation is widely used, moisture is gradually sprayed into the ground, leaves are moistened, the culture is saved from overheating and drying out.
Fertilizers are applied in March - 50% of nitrogen substances. During pollen and ovary, add the rest. Nitrogen fertilization is completed in mid-July so that the plant overwinters safely. Nitrates are not used, they harm blueberries, change the acidity of the earth.
Mulching and loosening the beds
For mulching blueberries, hay, peat, sand, sawdust, foliage or straw are used. Bushes are covered with these objects in order to protect them from temperature changes, attacks of beetles and diseases. A layer of mulch makes the soil looser, more fertile, lightweight, and retains moisture.
The most popular method is to cover the berries with sawdust, since this material is the most durable. The thickness of the mulch should be 10 cm. The first mulching is carried out after planting the blueberry in a new place. In the future, the procedure is done as needed. When mulching again, reduce the layer to 5 cm.
Pruning
Pruning of sprawling blueberry bushes is carried out for 3-4 years of their life. Before that, the sanitary formation of the plant is done. Damaged, non-fruiting branches hanging towards the aisle are excised. They interfere with the growth, rooting of powerful, straight shoots. An adult bush should have no more than 5-6 branches. Anti-aging pruning is carried out for 5-6 years.
Preventive treatments
The culture most often suffers from stem cancer. Pathology is caused by a specific fungus. Small specks of a red tint appear on the plant. Over time, they become chestnut, take on an oval shape. In the final stage, the stem dies off. Signs of the disease are visible to the naked eye in summer. Cancer usually affects young animals. You can avoid the disease without planting the berry in waterlogged areas and without adding excess nitrogen.
Stable pruning will also help. Infected stems must be burned. They also use 0.2% Topsin and Euparen solution. Apply 3 sprays to the bush 1 time a week before pollen and the same amount after harvest. It can be treated with Bordeaux liquid in the spring before the foliage bloom and in October, after it has fallen off. If the berry does not grow, it becomes dwarf, this signals the defeat of viral or mycoplasma pathologies. Complete removal of the diseased specimen with further burning is required.
Wintering
Winter hardiness of Chandler blueberries is high, but in regions where frosty winters prevail, it is better to cover the bushes with a light, non-woven cloth. Burlap is widely used. The fabric must be breathable. Additionally, the blueberries are covered with snow. If the winter is snowless, the stems are tied with spruce branches.
Variety reviews
Below are the responses from gardeners growing Chandler blueberries on their property. They will help you learn about all the nuances of the variety.
- Irina Novoselova, 68 years old, St. Petersburg. Hello! Chandler learned about the blueberry variety from a neighbor. I decided to try the culture in my garden. I planted 8 bushes of berries. Fruiting came in a year, the berries were large, and harvested about 30 kg. I made smoothies from them, added them to baked goods, made jams.
- Alexander Vinnichenko, 59 years old, Kiev. Greetings! I have been growing blueberries for over 15 years. Recently began to grow the Chandler variety. The harvest is always plentiful, the fruits are large, juicy, sweet. The bushes were sick with aphids, removed with chemicals. I recommend this variety for growing to everyone!
