Bilberry belongs to family of heather and represents silnovetvisty low bush. In the wild nature bilberry can be found in the coniferous and mixed forests. The plant perfectly transfers action of low temperatures and grows even behind the Polar circle. Pine forests sometimes so grow with bilberry bushes that they are called by "pine forests bilberries".
It is required to you
- - sieve
- - garden stock
- - peat pots
- - means of watering
Instruction
1. Bilberry not casually grows near pine trees. Sour soils will be the most comfortable place for its growth. It should be considered by preparation of bed. Remember that bilberry — shade-loving plant therefore it is necessary to plant bushes under trees which will be able to provide sufficient opacity.
2. For receiving seeds of bilberry knead fruits and fill in with large amount of water. Merge the emerged remains of pulp and empty seeds. Repeat the procedure until water does not become completely transparent.
3. Seeds which have fallen by bottom sow in peat pots at once. The first shoots will appear in 2–3 weeks. Pots in the solar room at temperature of 5-10 degrees Celsius winter.
4. In the spring seedlings dive in boxes for growing. Bilberry bushes will take the constant place only the next year.
5. Before planting of bushes to the constant place prepare holes of 60 cm in depth and 150х150 cm in size. Mix the dug-out soil with fragmented peat in proportion 2:1. That the soil has turned out rather sour, add powder sulfur. To heavy soils add small amount of sand. Begin all preparatory work in advance that the soil had enough time for sedimentation.
6. For disembarkation of bilberry choose the autumn or spring period. Better the plants planted since the beginning of October on November take root.
7. Each bush has to have damp root lump, otherwise the plant will not take root. In the course of disembarkation loosen lump and straighten roots.
8. Fill up hole, strongly stamp and well water. Surely mulch the soil, sawdust, fallen leaves or peat can execute function of mulch.
9. Bushes of bilberry demand regular cutting which is carried out from age of 3-4 years. The first remove the damaged and sick branches. "Skeleton" of bush has to be formed for the score 6-8 of healthy branches.
10. For forming of healthy and strong escapes cut off old branches on height of 20 cm. Large number of side escapes with kidneys will yield small harvest which will late ripen therefore they need also to be removed.
11. Organic fertilizing: you bring manure, fragmented peat, compost each 3 years, evenly distributing 3–4 kg of fertilizer on each square meter.
12. If the soil has low acidity, annually add powder sulfur, at the rate of 40–50 g under each bush. It is possible to refuse powder sulfur only if mulching is carried out by sawdust which well regulates the soil.