Frozen Blueberry Root Ball

[Harveyshot]

I've previously posted about my struggle growing blueberries.
Last Fall I potted three 3-year-old blueberry plants in 25 gallon grow bags as suggested by our extension service. I used all the recommended stuff for the potting soil: peat moss, pine bark fines, acidic compost and acidic fertilizer. The ph of that mix ranges from 6-7 now.
But the main question is since we've had a lot of freezing temperatures, the root balls are frozen. I tried to stick a soil probe into it and it wouldn't go in.
Will this kill the plants?
Thank you.

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

No
For what it's worth we grow blueberries all year long in pots above ground Western ky. I'm sure they freeze solid

6 is too high

 

[oneeye]

I've previously posted about my struggle growing blueberries.
Last Fall I potted three 3-year-old blueberry plants in 25 gallon grow bags as suggested by our extension service. I used all the recommended stuff for the potting soil: peat moss, pine bark fines, acidic compost and acidic fertilizer. The ph of that mix ranges from 6-7 now.
But the main question is since we've had a lot of freezing temperatures, the root balls are frozen. I tried to stick a soil probe into it and it wouldn't go in.
Will this kill the plants?
Thank you.

Yes a hard freeze can damage or even kill your blueberry roots in a container outdoors. Its best to insulate the containers if you leave them outdoors during Winter.

The reason the pH has risen to 6-7 is because the calcium in your water is buffering the hyrodgen raising the pH. If you lower the water pH or use filtered or rain water the soil pH will remain acidic longer. One of the biggest challenges with growing blueberries in containers is maintaining a acidic environment over time.

 

[Harveyshot]

Yes a hard freeze can damage or even kill your blueberry roots in a container outdoors. Its best to insulate the containers if you leave them outdoors during Winter.

The reason the pH has risen to 6-7 is because the calcium in your water is buffering the hyrodgen raising the pH. If you lower the water pH or use filtered or rain water the soil pH will remain acidic longer. One of the biggest challenges with growing blueberries in containers is maintaining an acidic environment over time.

I do use rain water.

Yes a hard freeze can damage or even kill your blueberry roots in a container outdoors. Its best to insulate the containers if you leave them outdoors during Winter.

The reason the pH has risen to 6-7 is because the calcium in your water is buffering the hyrodgen raising the pH. If you lower the water pH or use filtered or rain water the soil pH will remain acidic longer. One of the biggest challenges with growing blueberries in containers is maintaining a acidic environment over time.

Thanks and I do use rain water.
This is my third and last attempt at growing blueberries.

 

[Meadowlark]

Friend @Harveyshot, we have talked about ph a lot previously in discussing your blueberries and the critical importance of it.

They simply will not make it on ph 6-7...in my experience. Freezing yes, high ph NO.

 

[oneeye]

I do use rain water.

Thanks and I do use rain water.
This is my third and last attempt at growing blueberries.

How are your testing your soil pH?

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

I've seen blueberries grown in basic soil, near 7 but the guy was going heavy on the sulfur, so everytime they slow down fertilize it with sulfur like you would 15-15-15

You have to keep reapplying it

The cheap electronic ph testers can be finicky to calibrate

 

[Harveyshot]

The cheap electronic ph testers can be finicky to calibrate

Well, I went with a not-so-cheap tester ($50) and it seems work decently. I will be applying sulphur regularly and some acidic fertilizer in a couple of months. Thanks.