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No Pollinators for my blueberries #875298

Asked June 29, 2024, 8:25 PM EDT

Hi! I've had healthy blueberry plants for years. I get tons of flowers, but the fruits don't form. I think it is because I am lacking pollinators. I live in Duluth on Park Point and the springs here can be cold and rainy. Is there a solution for me? I'm so sad to be missing another year of harvest. Thank you!

St. Louis County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Marie,

A couple things come to mind. To have the best pollination, you need to plant at least two different varieties. For example, you don't want all "Chippewa" plants. You want to plant "Chippewa" with "North Country" or another type.

Here's a list of U of M varieties that will grow here:

https://mnhardy.umn.edu/blueberries

Fruiting would be affected if you're getting freezes that damage the blossoms. And this year's rain may have inhibited pollinator activity, as many of these insects are less active when it's raining a lot.

Are you pruning your plants? Berries are produced on one-year-old wood.

From the University of Washington:

"Pruning mature blueberry plants is largely a matter of cane removal or
cane thinning. The objective of pruning mature bushes is to stimulate
the proper balance of vegetative and reproductive growth, and limit
plant size. Pruning stimulates the development of new canes which are
more productive than older canes. A general rule is to remove about 1/4
to 1/5 of the oldest canes each year (usually one to three of the oldest
canes). This will result in continuous cane renewal so that no cane is
more than three or four years old.... Most pruning is usually done immediately
after harvest during the early summer."

This page may help you:

https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-blueberries-home-garden

Good luck.

MJ Replied June 30, 2024, 10:14 PM EDT
HI!

Thank you for the response!

I believe I have two varieties, but I might try adding another one as that seems to be the only option of control I have.

Have you ever had anyone try Mason Bees?  I almost bought some, but the expense with no assured results and possible death or bees leaving the area have stopped me. That along with the possibility it might just be too cold for the pollinators we have buzzing around. In northern MN the black flies do the job I have read. We thankfully don't have those on Park Point.

I have plenty of flowers, then just don't set fruit.

I'll consider getting one more blueberry plant.

Marie

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2024 9:14 PM
To: Marie Frank <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: No Pollinators for my blueberries (#0145216)
 
The Question Asker Replied July 07, 2024, 2:48 PM EDT

Hi Marie,

It’s worth a try (getting another plant, not the bees). Also try the devised pruning in the page I sent if you haven’t done that.

Good luck.

MJ Replied July 08, 2024, 10:51 PM EDT

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