Garden tall blueberry "Spartan": variety description

Blueberries "Spartan" were obtained by American breeders by crossing several wild-growing species. The advantages of the variety include, first of all, high yield, good taste of berries and the ability to adapt to soils of different composition. "Spartan" refers to tall species, so for the shrub in advance you should choose a place where it will not interfere with other crops.

Description and characteristics of the variety

The height of the shrub ranges from 1.5 to 2 m. The crown consists of strong erect stems with oval dark green leaves. The leaf plates are framed with denticles along the edge. In the autumn, the green color of the leaves is replaced by crimson, and the bush becomes a decoration of the site.

The root system of the plant is of a fibrous type, branched. Blueberry roots go 40 cm deep. Active periods of shrub development occur in spring and autumn; in summer, growth stops. Blueberry "Spartan" reaches its blossoming at the 5th year of life. Flowering occurs at the ends of the shoots, flowers are collected in bunches of 5-10 pcs. The flowering time depends on the region. In warmer climates, buds begin to form in mid-June.

According to its characteristics, the variety belongs to medium early species, the harvest ripens at the end of July. The duration of the fruiting period is 20–25 days. The berries are removed from the bush not at the same time, but in 3-5 receptions. The first fruits are the largest and sweetest. The berries have a rounded shape and a characteristic bluish color. Average weight - 1.6 g. The pulp is juicy, aromatic, with a slight sourness. One bush gives up to 6 kg of berries.

The Spartan variety is characterized by:

• high frost resistance;
• strong immunity;
• abundant harvests.

The first harvest of tall blueberries gives 3-4 years of planting. The bush begins to bear fruit abundantly at the age of 6–8 years.

The description of the variety can be supplemented by the fact that its fruits are versatile. Berries are eaten fresh, added to tea, various desserts, baked goods. Blueberries are used as raw materials for jam and frozen.

Disease and pest resistance

Due to the fact that the shrub has a strong immunity, it is highly resistant to typical blueberry diseases. "Spartan" resists moniliosis well, is not prone to death of shoots and drying of fruits.

However, blueberries need preventive treatments in spring and autumn. Otherwise, it can be affected by various types of pests (kidney mites, leaf rollers, fruit moths, aphids, leaf gall midge and others).

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the variety can be traced in its characteristics. The shrub is different:

• strong immunity;
• self-fertility;
• frost resistance;
• pleasant fruit taste;
• the ability to store and transport crops over long distances for a long time.

Of the shortcomings, gardeners note the intolerance of waterlogging of the soil, the need to monitor the acidity of the soil, a decrease in yield when deviating from the rules of agricultural technology.

Preparing for landing

The Spartan variety does not require any special preparation before planting on the site. Only the general requirements of the culture are taken into account.

They start planting a seedling in the spring, before the start of sap flow. In the southern regions, planting of blueberries can be carried out in the fall at a temperature of +10 ° C. There are no severe frosts here, so the shrub will have time to take root and will well endure wintering.Autumn planting in the northern regions and the middle lane is detrimental to a young plant.

Site selection, soil requirements

First of all, you need to choose the right landing site. The site must meet certain requirements:

• An elevated, flat place is chosen for the shrub. Blueberries should not be planted in lowlands, in wetlands, or in areas with high groundwater levels.
• The selected area should be well lit by the sun. Larger and sweeter berries are formed when exposed to sunlight. Planting in partial shade is acceptable, but in this case the crop will not be as plentiful and tasty.
• The shrub must not be planted on land where vegetable crops were grown. Failure to comply with this rule can even lead to the death of blueberries. It is best to plant the seedling in the place where wild herbs grew before.
• Landing in an area open to the wind should be avoided. In winter, drafts can lead to freezing of the shoots.
• Tall trees should not grow nearby, they will block the light.

For good growth, blueberries require loose soil, rich in humus, with an acidity index of 3.5-4.5 pH. The planting pit is filled with a mixture consisting of equal parts of high moor peat, humus and rotted forest litter, with the addition of bark, needles and river sand.

Preparation of seedlings

Blueberries of this variety belong to self-fertile species, therefore, a single planting of a seedling is allowed. But, of course, you can plant several plants at once.

When choosing planting material, it is better to give preference to two-year-old specimens with a closed root system (planted in pots). You need to choose seedlings in nurseries with a proven track record.

When buying bushes with closed roots, there is no need to start planting immediately. Plants can safely stay in the container for some time. Periodically, they will need to be watered with settled water.

Before planting, the seedlings are taken out of the pots, the roots are examined and straightened, and then they are dipped in a clay mash. Sometimes in pots, the roots of the plant are bent upward. If you plant blueberries like this, they can die.

Planting and further care

A planting pit for blueberries should be 50x50x50 cm in size. The bottom is covered with a drainage layer. For this purpose, you can use crushed stone or pebbles. A previously prepared soil is poured onto the drainage. The seedling is carefully placed on a mound, the roots are evenly distributed and covered with earth.

After planting, the bush should be 2–3 cm below the level at which it was planted in the pot.

When planting several seedlings, an interval of 1.5 m is observed.If you plan to plant several rows of blueberries, a distance of about 3 m is left between them.

After planting, the ground in the trunk circle must be watered. Then each seedling is mulched with peat, rotted bark or coniferous litter. Gradually decomposing, the mulch will begin to feed the plants, additionally providing the necessary soil acidity. Blueberries will not grow in alkaline soil, since their roots absorb nutrients only in symbiosis with mycorrhiza. A special fungus can exist only in an acidic environment.

Blueberry care includes:

• watering 2 times a week (for one adult bush - 10 liters of water) in the morning or evening;
• periodic replacement of mulch (usually in spring and autumn);
• fertilization in the form of mineral complexes (there are specialized fertilizers for blueberries);
• pruning (up to 4 years spent for sanitary purposes, then it is already possible to form a bush and remove the lower spreading branches);
• preventive spraying in early spring and autumn with a 2% solution of copper sulfate.

Due to the frost resistance of the variety, the shrub does not need shelter for the winter. Blueberries can easily tolerate temperatures as low as -30 ° C. Shrubs should be insulated with agrofibre only in harsh climates or during snowless winters. Saplings wintering for the first year must be additionally covered with snow.

Due to its characteristics, the Spartan blueberry can be successfully grown in central Russia and more northern regions. The shrub does not need special wintering and careful care. To obtain bountiful harvests, you need to plant blueberries in a well-lit area and maintain the required level of soil acidity.