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Blueberry Patriot is one of the most common varieties of berry crop, which is valued by gardeners for its high yield, unpretentiousness, resistance to low temperatures, as well as for its attractive appearance and taste of fruits.
History of breeding
The blueberry variety Patriot was obtained in the United States of America, namely in Maryland in 1976, based on the varieties Erliblu, Dixie and Michigan LB.
Initially, the Patriot was bred as an ornamental shrub used for landscaping and landscaping, and only then they began to collect and use berries for food.
Description of berry culture
Blueberries have long been considered a wild plant growing near swamps. But more and more often it can be found in the gardens of both our compatriots and abroad. The Patriot variety is distinguished, first of all, by its high resistance to adverse climatic conditions and most diseases, as well as its attractive appearance. A photo of the blueberry Patriot is presented below.
General idea of the variety
Description of the blueberry variety Patriot should begin with the parameters of the plant. The shrub is quite tall, can reach 170-180 cm in height. Shoots are erect, do not differ in branching. The leaves are elongated, young have a reddish tint, more mature – rich green, closer to dark.
White blueberry flowers have an unusual shape, resembling a dome or a cylinder with a double edge.
Berries
The description of the garden blueberry cultivar patriot also includes the characteristics of the fruit. The berries are light blue in color, slightly flattened from above and below, collected in dense brushes, and have a pronounced bloom. Their diameter varies from 1,5 cm to 2 cm. Berries can be stored on branches for up to 10-12 days.
The color of the fruits changes as they ripen: from green, turning to red, and then to deep blue. The pulp is dense, juicy and with a greenish tinge.
Characterization
The characteristics of the Patriot blueberry variety, like most other fruit crops, include plant resistance to low temperatures, lack of moisture, diseases and pests, as well as the timing of flowering and fruit ripening.
Main advantages
Blueberry Patriot belongs to varieties with high resistance to low temperatures and moderate drought. According to numerous data, the shrub is able to withstand frosts down to -30 – 35 ° C and short periods without precipitation.
Berries demonstrate high keeping quality and transportability. The fruits retain their original appearance and do not lose their taste for 10-14 days, subject to all storage standards.
Very often, blueberry varieties are compared with each other. But, for example, it is impossible to say which blueberry is better: Patriot or Bluecrop. Both of these varieties are similar to each other, the only difference is the greater height of the shrub and higher yields in the Bluecrop variety.
Flowering period and ripening period
Blueberry flowering is a rather lengthy process, starting in mid-May and ending in early July. Accordingly, the fruits of blueberries begin to ripen in mid-July.
Despite the fact that this variety is a self-pollinating crop, it is still recommended to plant other shrubs nearby for pollination. This will allow several times to increase the yield of the plant. Pollinators for Patriot blueberries should be selected so that the varieties have the same flowering periods.
Yield indicators, fruiting terms
One of the main advantages of the shrub is its high yield, reviews of the blueberry patriot are a clear confirmation of this. From one shrub you can collect up to 8-9 kg of berries.
Scope of berries
Tall blueberry Patriot is used in various forms. Berries can be consumed fresh, frozen, canned, used to make jams, jams, syrups, and so on.
Disease and pest resistance
Blueberry Patriot is characterized by strong immunity to diseases and pests, especially late blight and root rot. However, it is still recommended to occasionally treat shrubs to prevent diseases.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Summing up all of the above, the main advantages include:
- high drought and frost resistance;
- safety of berries during transportation;
- high keeping quality;
- immunity to many diseases;
- high yield;
- taste qualities of fruits;
- ornamental shrub.
There are only two drawbacks to the Patriot variety:
- exactingness to soils;
- shrinkage of fruits towards the end of the fruiting period.
That is why Patriot is one of the best varieties of berry culture, thanks to which it has become widespread throughout the world.
blueberry breeding
There are three main ways to propagate blueberries:
- Seeds – a long and laborious process, most often used to obtain new varieties.
- Cuttings – the most favorable option, cuttings are harvested in the fall.
- Layering – gives little quality planting material, but there are no difficulties with rooting the resulting plants.
Rules of landing
Planting and caring for Patriot blueberries does not cause any difficulties at all. The main thing is to take into account the requirements of the plant and try to maintain optimal environmental conditions.
Recommended dates
Planting blueberries Patriot in the spring will avoid the death of a young seedling due to severe frosts. However, for southern regions with warm winters, the autumn period is also suitable for planting blueberries.
Choosing the right place
The place for the shrub should be lit, but at the same time protected from strong and gusty winds. Patriot blueberry planting should be carried out in acidic soils, preferably loamy or sandy.
Soil Preparation
Approximately 7-9 days before the proposed planting of the seedling, you need to dig a hole with a diameter and width of 60-65 cm and mix the soil with sand, crushed bark or sawdust. If the soil has an alkaline reaction, additional mineral fertilizers should be added to increase the acidity of the soil.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Reading reviews about garden blueberries Patriot, you can often stumble upon information that the right choice of a seedling is the key to successful growth and development of a shrub. Therefore, when buying planting material, attention should be paid to the integrity of the root system and shoots, as well as the absence of any signs of disease.
Algorithm and landing scheme
Planting blueberries Patriot is carried out in several stages:
- Digging a hole and preparing the substrate.
- Installing a stake in the center of the pit.
- Planting a seedling, straightening the root system and tying the trunk to the stake.
- Falling asleep and tamping the earth.
- Watering the soil and mulching with bark or needles.
Culture aftercare
As mentioned earlier, growing and caring for blueberries of the Patriot variety is within the power of even novice gardeners. It is only important to observe the regime of watering and fertilizing the shrub, as well as to timely form the crown and prepare the plant for the coming winter.
Necessary activities
Watering is carried out twice a week for 10 liters of water (5 liters in the morning and 5 liters in the evening). You can also install a drip irrigation system. You should always focus on weather conditions and the degree of soil moisture.
Blueberry Patriot is fed three times in one season with an interval of 12-14 days. The first fertilization occurs in early spring, and the last – in early July. Optimal fertilizers are nitrogen-containing components.
shrub pruning
This variety is characterized by a tendency to thicken the crown, therefore, starting from the 4th year of the life of the shrub, it is necessary to regularly prune the plant. After the procedure, the strongest shoots should remain that do not interfere with each other.
The photo of the Patriot blueberry bush shows one of the options for the formation of a shrub.
Preparation for winter
Planting and caring for garden blueberries Patriot also includes activities aimed at preparing the plant for the onset of cold weather. It is recommended to cover the lower part of the shrub and the ground with spruce branches. This will avoid freezing of the shoots and damage to them by rodents.
Collection, processing, storage of crops
Garden blueberries Patriot begins to ripen in early July. The fruits are harvested in several stages due to their uneven ripening. In a tightly closed container at a temperature of 2-4 degrees Celsius, the berries can be stored for about 2 weeks.
Fruits can be consumed both fresh and processed into compotes, jams, candied fruits, or added to confectionery.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Proper care of blueberries Patriot will help to avoid the disease of the shrub and its damage by pests. The main methods of control and prevention are presented in the tables.
Disease | Methods of struggle |
Gray mold | Treatment of the plant with Bordeaux liquid. Burning affected leaves. |
White spot | Regular soil mulching, spraying shrubs with complex preparations. |
Pest | Method of prevention and control |
Birds | Installing a mesh around a bush |
aphid | Treatment with insecticides. |
Conclusion
Blueberry Patriot is one of the universal varieties, the fruits of which have excellent taste qualities. The plant is easy to care for, resistant to frost and dry periods.