Content
Bonus blueberries are relatively new and have become popular among gardeners. Large berries are the advantage of this variety.
The Bonus variety was bred in 1978 by breeders of the University of Michigan from a shrub growing in the wild, Vaccinium is tall.
Description of the blueberry variety Bonus
The bonus is a variety that appeared after the selection of some blueberry species growing in the United States. In appearance, the berries are similar to the fruits of other tall representatives. The height of the shrub reaches 1.5 m, the width is 1.2-1.3 m.Adult blueberries of the Bonus variety have powerful brown shoots, the length of which in the girth is 3 cm.Over time, the old branches fall off, and in their place new, more strong.
The shape of the leaves resembles an ellipse, smooth to the touch, the petioles are short. It is interesting to watch the plant when it starts to bloom. Gardeners say that during this period Bonus blueberries transform the site.
The buds of the shoots are slightly elongated along the length of the branch, in the leaf axils, and the buds of the flowers themselves are located at the ends of the branches, larger in size, each giving up to 7 white flowers (this is their similarity to bells).
The diameter of large Bonus berries reaches 30 mm, like that of the Chandler blueberry. One taut brush contains up to 10 fruits of a light blue or blue shade with a whitish bloom. There is a scar on the dense skin, the greenish flesh is pleasant to the taste.
Features of fruiting
Blueberry tall Bonus thrives best in cold regions with moderate temperatures. It is grown in Ukraine, in Russia.
Blueberries ripen at the end of July. On the territory of the Moscow region, this period begins even later - at the end of summer. When fully ripe, the berry breaks off with a characteristic click.
The berries are consumed immediately, without processing. Either frozen or processed in advance. The plant practically does not react to transportation, it is resistant to many diseases.
In the description of the Bonus blueberry it is said that it is a self-pollinating plant, but in reality it is far from the truth. In order for the variety to bear fruit well, Bonus blueberry pollinators are planted nearby. The flowering time of pollinators and blueberries Bonus must be the same. Productivity - up to 8 kg of berries from a bush. The plant begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year after planting.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the Bonus blueberry include:
- large size of blue fruits;
- storage and no problems after long transportation;
- high content of vitamins and other useful elements;
- lowering blood sugar levels;
- decorativeness;
- endurance and resistance to many dangerous diseases;
- taste and aroma of berries;
- no need to prune branches often;
- frost resistance up to -35⁰С;
- high productivity.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- uneven ripening of berries;
- from the moment of staining to ripening, a set of sweetness with a berry takes 2 weeks;
- medium growth, due to which it is impossible to get a large volume of the crop.
Breeding features
To preserve all the features of this variety, experienced gardeners recommend propagating it vegetatively. Blueberries are propagated by layering or stem cuttings. But, according to reviews about the Bonus blueberry, the cuttings take root poorly.
Shoots are harvested in advance, in winter or autumn. Store wrapped in a cool place. In the middle of spring, they take out, cut into cuttings of 20 cm each. Placed in peat together with sand in a 1: 1 ratio, periodically watered. They are planted in the ground in the fall.
Planting and caring for blueberries Bonus
The Bonus variety is grown in the same way as other blueberry varieties. The main thing is to ensure high-quality watering and regular feeding.
Recommended timing
The best time to plant the variety is mid-spring. During the frost period, this should not be done, it is better to wait until they pass. Two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting.
Site selection and soil preparation
Usually Bonus blueberries are grown in cold areas, but it is best to plant a young plant in a place where a large amount of light and heat penetrates, and exclude drafts, otherwise it will negatively affect the condition of the berries.
The soil is loose - nitrogen-rich peat and sand. It is not recommended to plant blueberries where other crops have already grown.
Landing algorithm
Follow the following order of planting blueberries Bonus:
- Check the pH level at the site. If the acidity is elevated, you need to lower it and constantly adjust it.
- Before the direct planting of seedlings, small pits are prepared - 1 x 1 m; the intervals between them are 1.6 m. The landing direction is from north to south.
- With a close location of groundwater, drainage is done: the bottom of the pit is covered by 5 cm with broken bricks, expanded clay.
- Before planting in a hole, the pot is placed in a box of water or other container and wait until the earthen lump is soaked.
- Water is poured into the pit and wait until it is completely absorbed.
- When everything is prepared, young seedlings are planted, horizontally straightening their roots. Sprinkle with acidic soil on top.
- The trunk circle is mulched with sawdust - necessarily rotted, fresh ones provoke nitrogen starvation, or needles and peat by 9 cm.
Growing and care
Agrotechnics and care of Bonus blueberries comply with the rules for growing tall shrubs.
Required:
- watering correctly;
- feed correctly;
- weed out weeds, loosen the soil;
- prune the plant periodically;
- carry out preventive procedures to protect against dangerous diseases and pests.
Watering schedule
Watering Bonus blueberries should be done correctly, regularly and efficiently. The soil where it grows is usually light. Careless maintenance leads to dehydration of the soil. If it is wrong and rarely to water, then it stops growing rapidly, the yield decreases, and the berries themselves, too. One bucket of water is taken per bush. When it's hot, the shrubs are sprayed to cool, but they do this only after 4 pm.
Feeding schedule
Blueberries are fed 3 times a year:
- at the beginning of plant growth and development;
- during bud break;
- after fruiting.
Fertilizers with nitrogen are more suitable in spring.
When the buds begin to bloom, a mixture is introduced into the soil, which consists of the following ingredients:
- ammonium nitrate - 27 g;
- superphosphate - 55 g;
- nitrogen in ammonium form - 1/4 part with the addition of complex preparations.
After fruiting, take for feeding:
- potassium sulfate - 30-40 g;
- phosphorus - 30-40 g.
Soil acidity
Bonus blueberries are grown in soil, the acidity of which is pH 3.5-4.8. To determine this indicator, use pH testers or litmus paper strips.
If there are no special devices, the acidity of the soil is checked by observing what plants are on the site:
- acidic soil - plantain, buttercup, horse sorrel, mint grow;
- slightly acidic - rose hips, clover, chamomile, wheatgrass;
- alkaline - poppy, field bindweed;
- neutral - quinoa, nettle.
When the acidity of the soil is below pH 3.5, the bushes begin to hurt.But too acidic soil is dangerous for Bonus blueberries. In such soil, microorganisms die, thanks to which the plant develops and bears fruit. The roots do not absorb moisture, growth stops, chlorosis appears on the leaves.
Increase acidity with solutions of malic, oxalic or citric acid - 2 tbsp. l. 10 liters of water. Reduce with lime - 50-70 kg per hundred square meters or wood ash - 7 kg per 10 m2.
Pruning
Pruning of this variety is not required in the first year. It is better to do this only after 2-3 years.
When pruning, remove excess branches that interfere with the normal growth of the shrub. The growth is cut to 40 cm, powerful shoots are not touched.
Preparing for winter
To protect the plant from the cold in winter, cover it. Covering material:
- sackcloth;
- spruce branches;
- spunbond.
You cannot use polyethylene, because the seedlings simply will not survive. The branches are gently lowered down and covered.
Pests and diseases
Despite the resistance of the Bonus variety to many dangerous diseases, the plant is susceptible to diseases:
- fungal - gray rot, mummification of berries, fruit rot, drying of branches;
- viral - mosaic, filamentous branches, red leaf spot.
For prevention, the plant is treated with fungicides. This is done 3-4 times a year:
- 3 sprays, each after a week, before the onset of the flowering period, and the same after fruiting;
- in early spring and late autumn, blueberries are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid or 0.1-0.2% Rovral.
Pests:
- aphid;
- caterpillars;
- leaf roll;
- color beetle;
- kidney mite.
To prevent pests from attacking blueberries, insecticides are used.
To protect them from birds, the bushes are covered with a net during fruiting.
Conclusion
Blueberry Bonus is a North American berry that tastes great. This is a plant that is a pleasure to grow. Large blue berries are good for health, and bushes serve as a decoration for the garden. Compliance with the rules of agricultural technology will allow you to annually get a good harvest of blueberries in the summer and admire the beauty of the garden in the fall.
