Pruning Tips References • Prune during the dormant season. Plant WSU Extension Clallam County structure is more clearly seen and “Growing in Your Home Garden.” wound healing is better. Because (EC 1304) Oregon State University, revised blueberries are hardy plants, you can 2020. Available at https://catalog.extension. prune at any time during the winter oregonstate.edu/ec1304 when temperatures are above freezing. “Pruning Blueberries for Growth, Yield and Pruning Quality” Oregon State University. (online Before you begin pruning, study the • course) Register at https://workspace. Blueberries bush. Imagine what the plant should oregonstate.edu/course/pruning-blueberries look like when pruning is completed. (fee required) Ultimately you want 8 to 12 well-placed “How to Prune a Bush.” University canes of varying ages (none more than of Delaware, 2016. (video) Available at 5 years of age). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJS3JKH • Use hand pruners for one-year-old PccE wood and long-handled loppers or a “How to Prune a Blueberry Bush.” University saw for older wood. of Maine, 2011. (video) Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm6ZfpG Pruning is a critical part of blueberry • Start with the easiest cuts (those that y5oQ bush care. Without annual pruning don’t take much thought). “Blueberry Pruning Demonstration.” Univer- that includes removal of older canes • Remove canes by cutting them back to sity of , 2012. (video) Available at and thinning of fruit buds, blueberry the crown of the plant or to where a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_GQI7R productivity will decline. strong, newer side shoot emerges. Oac0 Pruning is also good for the overall • If plants become too tall, give vigorous health of the bush. Proper pruning upright canes a “heading cut” to reduce their height, pruning them back to an Contact Information allows penetration of sunlight into the outward facing bud. plant as well as good air circulation, For information about becoming a Master both of which discourage diseases. • So as not to hurt overall productivity of Gardener, or Master Gardener activities, contact Clallam County Extension Office Proper pruning also ensures strong the plant, remove no more than 20% of 223 East 4th Street, Suite 15 canes that will not break and can the older canes in one season except Port Angeles, WA 98362 support fruit off the ground. when undertaking a major renovation. 360-565-2679

• To rejuvenate overgrown plants cut all 1/20/2021 canes back to a foot in length and thin Extension programs and employment are available to all to the best six to 10. A healthy plant will without . Evidence of noncompliance may produce many whips. The following be reported through your local Extension office. season, thin whips to the best 12 or so. Blueberry Bush Growth Healthy blueberry bushes put on new canes each growing season. The first year, the canes (called whips) grow straight and unbranched. Because blueberries fruit on 1-year-old wood, these new canes do not produce berries the first season.

The next year these 1-year-old canes put on a few berries at their terminal ends but more importantly they develop side branches

(called laterals). , Washington UniversityState

The next year, the laterals put on berries at Brun their tips and develop secondary branches (that will provide even more fruit the next year). From Charles For each cane, the process of branching and increased productivity will continue for a few more years. After that, new branches on Steps to Pruning branches tend to be short and thin 1. Study the bush. Think about your Remove those with few fruit buds, that (sometimes called twiggy). They devote more pruning goals and the desired shape touch other canes, or are poorly placed. of their energy to leaves than to fruit and of the bush. their productivity declines. 4. Remove all but two or three new canes 2. Remove all diseased and broken that were produced the previous Removal of old (poorly producing) canes canes. Remove low growth that will season. Keep new canes that are at least encourages the bush to put on new canes touch the ground when loaded with a foot in length, are about the diameter which start the cycle all over again. fruit. Cut out weak shoots that of a pencil, and do not cross other canes An annual pruning regimen in which you developed at the base of the plant or head into the center of the bush. If a remove two or three of the oldest canes and late in the previous season. new cane branches at its tip, remove all all but two or three of the whips produced but one branch. the previous season will ensure that the 3. Remove two or three older canes bush has canes of different ages (and levels of (6+ years in age). Older canes often 5. Reduce fruiting laterals to four to 8 per productivity) and promote more consistent are more than 1 inch in diameter, cane. Remove laterals that are short and berry production from year to year. are covered with lichens and weak. If large number of fruiting buds peeling bark, and have twiggy tips. remain, tips back canes