Blueberries are flowering plants in the genus Vaccinium, part Cyanococcus. This species grows in North America. Such as shrubs in size from 10 cm to 4 m; The smallest species known as the "low bush blueberries" (synonymous with "wild"), and the largest species is the "high bush blueberry". The leaves are changing or evergreen, ovate to lanceolate, and began to 1-8 cm in length and 0.5-3.5 cm wide. The flowers are bell-shaped, white, red or pale pink, sometimes greenish.
Although blueberries are native plants in North America, they are also grown in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries, and sent through the air as fresh products to markets around the world.
Here is a brief overview of American Blueberry fruits, Top Tropical-Florida, as information for the hobbyists berry fruits in the country. Just as strawberry, blueberry, also known as the fruit is rich in antioxidants. Although this fruit shape is small, but the benefits for the health of the body is very large. Blueberry itself has a wide range of benefits, ranging from health, beauty, ornamental plants and so forth.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION BLUEBERRY
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Ericales
- Family: Ericaceae
- Genus: Vaccinium
- Section: Cyanococcus
- Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
TYPES OF SPECIES BLUEBERRY
- Vaccinium angustifolium (blueberry bush Low)
- Vaccinium boreale (North Blueberry)
- Caesariensis Vaccinium (blueberry New Jersey)
- Vaccinium corymbosum (High Bush Blueberry North)
- Darrowii Vaccinium (blueberry bush South High)
- Vaccinium elliottii (Blueberry Elliott)
- Vaccinium formosum (South Blueberry)
- Vaccinium fuscatum (High Bush Blueberry Black; syn. V. atrococcum)
- Vaccinium hirsutum (Blueberry Hairy)
- Myrtilloides Vaccinium (blueberry Canada)
- Vaccinium pallidum (Blueberry Land Arid)
- Simulatum Vaccinium (blueberry bush High Plateau)
- Vaccinium tenellum (South Blueberry)
- Vaccinium virgatum (Blueberry Eyes Rabbit; syn. V. ashei)
Raising Blueberry
Location
Blueberry plants require full sun and soil with good drainage. Plants can adapt to the shade but the number of flowers and fruit production will decline, this should be avoided for planting blueberries surrounded by trees because in addition to blocking the light, the plant will also compete for water and nutrients are also disturbed air flow.
Land
Blueberries will grow well in soil with a pH of 4.5 - 4.8. If the pH is too high will slow the growth of plants and plant shoots will turn into yellowish and in the long term can experience death. To modify the soil to the required pH is reached, it can be used sulfur / sulfur can be applied as much as 60-65 g / m2. If the soil is too acidic, dolomite that can be tailored to the needs. Checking the pH of the soil can be done once a year.
Sowing seeds Blueberry
- Mute blueberry seeds with warm water around 35 degrees Celsius for 24 - 48 hours.
- Prepare a seeding container with planting medium with a pH of 5.5 that has been moistened with water.
- Blueberry sow seeds evenly to the surface of the planting medium. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of planting medium.
- Moisten the top layer of planting medium by using a sprayer filled with water.
- Place the seeds in the place who get enough indirect sunlight. Keep the planting medium moisture by always giving water.
- Within about 6-12 weeks, normally the seeds will begin to germinate.
- When the seedlings reach a height of 5 to 7.5 cm, the seedlings ready to be transplanted into pots seeding. Use a mixture of manure that has been fermented and sand in the ratio 1: 1 as a growing medium. Remove the blueberry seedlings and plants in pots with great care to maintain the integrity of the delicate root system.
- Flush pot with water and place the pot in a location that getting enough sunlight.
- Blueberry is a plant that is sensitive to chemical fertilizers. To be safe, use a liquid organic fertilizer to add nutrients after seed adapted for 2 to 3 weeks in the pot.
- Blueberries have a shallow root system, blueberries seedlings can be moved to a height of land at the time had reached 20-30 cm or wider sphere of pot to be pot.
- If blueberries planted directly in the soil, layer of mulch of organic material thick 10-15 cm on the surface of the soil around the stem of plants.
Pollination
Blueberry plants have male flowers and female flowers on the tree so there is no problem in terms of Pollination. If in an area, there are several varieties of blueberries, there will be a cross Pollination which allows generates new blueberry varieties better.
HOW TO RAISING BLUEBERRY
- Plant seeds are obtained immediately, if the planting site is not ready, make sure the plants get enough water supply in order not to suffer from drought.
- Blueberry plant roots properties are meeting and widened, for this manufacture a wide planting hole will be better for plants than by making a deep planting hole.
- The planting hole can be made as deep as desired, but the planting depth should be adjusted to high conditions of the planting medium when plants obtained from plant seeds obtained nusery place.
- Combine fertile soil containing organic material with peat moss in the ratio of 50:50. Peat moss is derived from peat mossy plant. Functions of peat moss here is as a treatment for land in order to achieve a pH of 4.5 - 4.8 (acid) permanent. Peat moss can be often found in Borneo and Sumatra. Peat moss can also be replaced with ferns commonly used as a medium for growing orchids. Compost can be provided to improve soil fertility.
- Do not mix the dry peat moss in the soil then plant the seeds directly. Peat moss will dry much absorb moisture from the seeds of blueberry and surrounding areas who are at risk of water shortages cause the plant to die.
- Ideal planting distance between plants Blueberry is 1.8 - 3 m. spacing is too close will cause the plants to compete in getting nutrients and sunlight, while the distance is too far apart would preclude cross Pollination.
- Thick layer of straw mulch of 10-15 cm should be provided above the surface of the planting hole where a layer of mulch will keep the soil moisture and the growth of weeds around the plant. Do not use leaves, grass clippings, or layers of newsprint as a mulch that can block the oxygen supply to the roots of blueberry.
- The provision of water needs to be done regularly so that the soil becomes moist but not to make the soil becomes saturated water.
- Blueberry roots are very sensitive to chemical fertilizers are readily soluble in water, in large amounts, this fertilizer can injure the roots. Make sure fertilization not done to excess can cause burning of the roots. fertilization can be given twice during the growing period with doses of as much as 2 ounces of NPK 12-4-8 with a distance of about 30 cm from the circular base of the stem. 1 ounce of ammonia sulfate can be given if the plants look yellow.
- Advanced fertilization given to plants need adjusted to the growth of leaf segments. At the stage of the emergence of second and third leaf buds fertilization be given NPK 12-4-8 can be as much as 4 ounces. In the phase of leaf emergence to the 4, 5, 6 and so on, fertilizers are given with each dose of 6 ounces, 8 ounces and 10 ounces.
Harvest
To get a good quality blueberries, fruit harvesting can be done in 4-6 days after the fruit turns entirely to blue.
Protection of Birds
Blueberry fruit very fond of birds, to avoid problems with birds, plants can be covered with nylon netting.
Benefits Blueberry
Blueberries are a natural source of antioxidants that help control the body's health. Small fruit is round and bluish is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, fiber, and fat-free. Here's another benefit of blueberries:
Increasing endurance
Antioxidants play a role in helping to strengthen the immune system by neutralizing free radicals. Most of the antioxidants in blueberries are anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the blue color of blueberries.
Lowering excess fat
Blueberries also contain polyphenols useful in reducing excess fat around the abdomen and can also help solve the problems on the body's metabolism. This fruit is very suitable to accompany a diet program.
Sharpen eyesight and eye health
Compounds in blueberries known as anthocyanosides, in clinical studies has been known to slow down the decline of the power of vision. A study published in the Archives of Ophtalmology 3 shows that eating blueberries a day can help reduce the decline of vision in the elderly up to 36 percent.
Healthy bones
The content of manganese in blueberries is very good for the bones. Eating blueberries regularly can help strengthen bones and avoid the risk of bone loss.
Prevent constipation and indigestion
A bowl of blueberries contains 4 grams of fiber, or about 15 percent of the daily intake that the body needs. The soluble fiber contained in blueberries are able to absorb up to 15 times its own weight in water so that it can improve the fluid into the intestine and aid digestion.
Preventing heart attack
Eat 3 servings of blueberries or more each week could reduce the risk of heart disease in women. Blueberries contain high levels of the compound, which could help widen arteries. For information, narrowing of the arteries by cholesterol is known to be a big influence on heart health.
Thus I can say about Knowing the type and Blueberry Planting the Right Way And Its Benefits Blueberry, may be useful for the readers, and do not forget to share this article to be more useful.