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Blueberry Bonus has appeared relatively recently and has become popular among gardeners. Large berries are the advantage of this variety.
The Bonus variety was bred in 1978 by University of Michigan breeders from a shrub growing in the wild, Vaccinium tall.
Description of the blueberry variety Bonus
Bonus – a variety that appeared after the selection of some types of blueberries 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. The adult blueberry of the Bonus variety has powerful brown shoots, the length of which in girth is 3 cm. strong.
The shape of the leaves resembles an ellipse, smooth to the touch, petioles are short. It is interesting to watch the plant when it begins to bloom. Gardeners say that during this period, Bonus blueberries transform the site.
The buds of the sprouts 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 gives up to 7 white flowers (this is their similarity with bells).
The diameter of large Bonus berries reaches 30 mm, like the blueberry of the Chandler variety. One tight brush contains up to 10 fruits of a light blue or blue hue with a whitish bloom. There is a scar on the dense skin, the greenish flesh is pleasant to the taste.
Features of fruiting
Tall blueberry Bonus feels best in cold regions with moderate temperatures. It is grown in Ukraine, in Our Country.
Blueberries ripen at the end of July. On the territory of the Moscow region, this period begins even later – at the end of summer. A fully ripe berry breaks with a characteristic click.
The berries are consumed immediately, without processing. Either frozen or pre-processed. The plant practically does not react to transportation, it is resistant to many diseases.
The description of the Bonus blueberry says 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 match. 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 Bonus blueberries 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;
- decorative;
- endurance and resistance to many dangerous diseases;
- taste and aroma of berries;
- no need to frequently cut branches;
- frost resistance up to -35⁰С;
- great yield.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- uneven ripening of berries;
- from the moment of coloring to ripening, a set of sweetness with a berry, 2 weeks pass;
- the average degree of growth, because of which it is impossible to get a large amount of the crop.
Features of reproduction
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 of Bonus blueberries, cuttings do not root well.
Harvest shoots 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 ratio of 1: 1, periodically watered. Planted in the ground in autumn.
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 dates
The most suitable time for planting a variety is mid-spring. Do not do this during the frost period, 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, heat penetrates, and to exclude drafts, otherwise it will negatively affect the condition of the berries.
The soil is loose – peat, rich in nitrogen, and sand. It is not recommended to plant blueberries where other crops have grown before.
Landing algorithm
Follow this order of planting blueberries Bonus:
- Check the pH level in the area. If the acidity is high, you need to lower it and constantly adjust.
- Before the direct planting of seedlings, small pits are prepared – 1 x 1 m; the gaps 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 the pit, the pot is placed in a box of water or another container and wait until the earthen ball is soaked.
- Water is poured into the pit and wait until it is completely absorbed.
- When everything is prepared, young seedlings are planted, spreading their roots horizontally. Sprinkle with acidic soil on top.
- The near-trunk circle is mulched with sawdust – necessarily rotted, fresh ones provoke nitrogen starvation, or with needles and peat by 9 cm.
Cultivation and care
Agrotechnics and care for blueberries of the Bonus variety correspond to the rules for growing tall shrubs.
Required:
- water properly;
- properly feed;
- weed out weeds, loosen the soil;
- periodically cut the plant;
- carry out preventive procedures to protect against dangerous diseases and pests.
Watering Schedule
You need to water the Bonus blueberries correctly, regularly and efficiently. The soil where it grows is usually light. Careless care leads to dehydration of the soil. If watered incorrectly and rarely, it stops growing rapidly, the yield decreases and the berries themselves too. Take one bucket of water per bush. When it is hot, shrubs are sprayed for cooling, but do this only after 4 pm.
Top dressing schedule
Feed blueberries 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 the ammonium form – 1/4 share with the addition of complex preparations.
After fruiting for feeding take:
- potassium sulfate – 30-40 g;
- phosphorus – 30-40 g.
Soil acidity
Blueberries Bonus are grown in soil, the acidity of which is pH 3,5-4,8. To determine this indicator, use pH testers or strips of litmus paper.
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 – wild rose, clover, chamomile, wheatgrass;
- alkaline – poppy, field bindweed;
- neutral – swan, wren.
When the acidity of the soil is below pH 3,5, the bushes begin to hurt. But for blueberries Bonus, too acidic soil is dangerous. 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. for 10 liters of water. Reduce with lime – 50-70 kg per hundred square meters or wood ash – 7 kg per 10 m2.
Trimming
Pruning this variety in the first year is not required. 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.
Preparation for winter
To protect the plant from the cold in winter, it is covered. Covering material:
- sackcloth;
- lapnik;
- spunbond.
You can not use polyethylene, because the seedlings simply will not survive. The branches are carefully 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. Do this 3-4 times a year:
- 3 sprayings, each in 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;
- leaflet;
- color beetle;
- kidney tick.
Insecticides are used to prevent pests from attacking blueberries.
To protect against birds, the bushes are covered with a net during fruiting.
Conclusion
Blueberry Bonus is a North American berry that has a great taste. This is a plant that is a pleasure to grow. Large blue berries are good for health, and the bushes serve as a garden decoration. Compliance with the rules of agricultural technology will allow you to get a good harvest of blueberries every year in summer and admire the beauty of the garden in autumn.
