AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been growing plants from seeds for at least 20 years. I have grown literally hundreds of different kinds of vegetables, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropicals, some cacti, water plants, iris, rose, lilies, cannas, etc. I enjoy starting from seed.
Experience I've been growing my own seeds for 20 years with indoor propagation equipment I built myself. I am also an Allexperts volunteer on the perennial forum. I have completed the Master Gardener course through the Kansas State University Extension. I have experience with a wide variety of seeds and I have also read through Norm Deno's books on seed germination.
Question I wish to learn how to plant blue berrys from seed or progation. Perferrable from seed.
Answer Hi Richard,
Thanx for your question. Blueberry seed are going to be hard to come by except the seed that you might be able to get from blueberries bought at the store or a roadside farm. In either case, the blueberries are probably hybrids and their seed will not result in exact duplicates. In fact, the fruit might be slightly different in size, taste, texture, color, etc. Because hybrids are not stable genetically and have a tendency to revert back to prior generations. With that said, you can take the seed and place it inside a damp paper towel and then seal this inside a plastic baggie. Place this inside a refrigerator for 90 days. This is cold treatment, stratification, vernalization. It is a natural process that allows the seed to break dormance and sprout once warm weather returns. After 90 days in the fridge, take the seed out and plant it pressed into the soil of a 10X20 seed flat filled with potting soil, watering enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. It will take several weeks for the seed to germinate. Make sure that you hang 40-watt flourescent shop lights over the seed trays and aprovide about 10-12 hours of light per day. You can prick out the seedlings once they are large enough to handle and plant in separate pots. Wait until after the last frost before you take the seedlings outside. Place the seedlings in the shade for about 10 days and then plant in full sun. Blueberries prefer moist, acidic soil. You may have to amend your soil with sulphur based or other types of acidic fertilizer. I hope this helps.
Tom
