Looking for best growing medium for blueberries?
Blueberries growth requires better soil for stronger growth. It took long time and labor hours that ruined the land, but with the advancement in farming growers can start plantation early so fruits can be produced round the year. Worldwide farmers are adopting hydroponic blueberry farming with the use of Coconut coir.
Blueberries farming makes it easier for farmers to create a more controllable environment and increase their crop yields and fruit quality. Maximizing blueberry production, requires an ideal balanced air-to-water ratio, micro irrigation, and fertilization. A high level of control is required which can be achieved when you use coconut coir.
People have argued that the substrate to grow blueberries should be a blend of coir, perlite, and peat but many growers are adaption to use coconut coir 100%. With this grower can accurately fertigate and easily monitor the crops giving better results.
Low-Cost Effective Solution
Growing blueberries from coir is a less costly alternative and is better for the environment. The trend is growing rapidly worldwide as the structure is allowed to be used over an extended period and has a naturally higher pH value. Coir is easy to transport and the cost per liter for dehydrated media is cheaper as compared to other mediums.
Factors Considering Growing Blueberries
- Size of Fruit: Blueberries are available in a variety of sizes, and the grower should use their preferred suited size.
- Growth Habit: Erect or semi-erected varieties are easier to manage in small gardens where whereas trailing varieties require trellising support.
- Suitability of Climate: Depending on the hardiness of the zone variety, make sure you are using the right variety to ensure the best results.
Preparation for growing blueberries using coconut coir
- Soaking: When using compressed peats, the first step is to soak them in warm water so they expand and become easier to handle.
- Mixing: Mix the coco coir with your garden soil, the ideal ratio is 40% coir and 60% soil. However, you can amend the ratio depending on the compost or worm castings to improve the soil structure by adding additional nutrients.
- Time: The best time to plant blueberries is between fall and early spring. Mid of October is the best time to plant your berries. Make sure the plants are moist and look healthy.
- Sunlight: Pick out a location that receives the full sun for at least 6 hours a day for optimal growth and to maximize the yields.
- Spacing: Plantation should be done 3-4 feet apart for the rows ensuring growth and proper air circulation.
Advantages of using coconut coir for blueberries
pH Value & Conductivity conditions: Blueberry cultivation is not possible on Alkaline soils and is very difficult. With the use of advanced technologies like hydroponics, the crops can grow to an optimal environment and electrical conductivity with the help of fertigation management.
Drainage Capacity: Using a coir provides high drainage capacity. The ideal condition is to create an environment that has a high volume of aeration that allows the development of the crop. Blueberries in nature are a very highly demanding crop in terms of drainage. It is difficult to adapt to pure clay soils. With the coir, substrate blueberries can achieve the precise conditions so that the root system after waterlogging or stress due to root asphyxia.
Nutrient Control Supply: An accurate supply of essential nutrients can increase the yields and improve the quality of the fruit.
Low water Consumption: As compared to other farming techniques hydroponics uses less water as compared to soil cultivation. The recirculation system recycles and re-applies the water directly to the crops after the disinfection process takes place.
Reduced Risk of diseases: the risk of disease is reduced when you are avoiding soil as the diseases are transmitted through soil-borne pathogens that are dominant in the soil and infect crops.
Maximizing utilization of the productive area: The use of Coconut coir for the cultivation of blueberries uses less space as compared to traditional plantation. The densities can reach between 8-10,000 plants per hectare as compared to 2-2500 plants in soil cultivation. This method contributes to the improvement in yield of surface area and utilizing the space maximizing efficiency.
Fruits like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries can be challenging but rewarding. The delicious-tasting berries have amazing health benefits but require a specific growing condition for the best results. The innovative way to grow these soft berries which as gained popularity is the use of coconut coir. Due to its sustainability, and versatility, it offers various benefits ensuring optimal growth and health.
Contact Earth Scape to buy coconut coir.