Question of the Week – February 14, 2024

14.02.2024 - 14:28 / hgic.clemson.edu

Of these two shoots 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, growers will have more energy going to the healthier wood (material on the right), thus 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, please check out this video from Dr. Phil Cline from NC State.