blueberry bushes - starting them off

Hi there

I really want to grow blueberries this year in pots, in my garden.  I have read plenty on how to look after them, the only thing I am unsure of is when to plant them, and not sure on how big the roots get, so what size pot to get is my main query.  I bought two today, they are about 7inches in height earliblue variety.  If I get them potted this week, will they be okay to go outside with a fleece on? or if not, howabout in an unheated greenhouse, and will they be like seedlings, just keeping the soil damp with collected rainwater.  If you were me what size pots would you get?

Many Thanks
amanda

Mine arent in pots, they are in some compost in plastic bags.  I will put in 6 inch pots and take to the allotment greenhouse at weekend, then be brought back to go in the garden and put in pretty pots, in mid April?  Is that the right track?

thanks Jazz
Amanda 

Just get the bushes into any sized pot for now and keep lightly watered. Doesn't matter if they're in the greenhouse or outside, they're very tough plants and can take the cold.

But soon you'll need to replant into bigger pots so you might as well plant them into the largest pots you can find/buy. The 45L ones sound about right for now. If the roots eventually outgrow this pot, you can repot into still larger pots.

Earlieblue is a highbush variety and will eventually hit 5 ft tall and about 3 ft wide, so a decent sized pot is a must, same with the ericaceous compost and regular feedings every 2-3 weeks with acidic fertilizer or chicken manure tea. And very regular watering is crucial. Blueberries like it damp, not soggy.

Here's more pot care info:  http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Growing-Blueberries-in-Pots

Mine seem to add about nine inches a year to their heigth and width.

I have a few at the plot which do not seem to be growing as fast, but they were just twigs when I planted them and are now a few branches. Thye did take a bit of a battering when our fence broke though

The three are home in pots do really well and give us a continuous supply of sweet juicy fruit from late summer on. Wouldn't be with out them.

They are in ericaceous compost and get slow release azalea food pellets in March every year.

Blueberries are sort of self fertile but really do better with at least one other variety around that flowers about the same time.

Growth height is a bit slowish while they develop their root systems, but once developed, you'll eventually need to prune the top growth to improve cropping. Check youtube for blueberry pruning videos.

And do net them. Birds adore blueberries