Blueberry Chandler: variety description, planting, care and wintering, reviews of gardeners with photos

Chandler blueberries are widely grown for personal consumption and for sale. The variety appeared on the horticultural market 25 years ago, gained popularity in the CIS countries since the end of the last century. The European berry does not require special care, it is easily grown even by inexperienced gardeners. For successful breeding of bushes, you need to familiarize yourself with all the features.

How the variety was bred

A variety of large-fruited blueberries was created in 1994 by European breeders. The variety is recommended for cultivation in areas with moderately cold or mild, snowy winters. Blueberry Chandler bears fruit late, but the berries are large, juicy, marketable.

Pros and cons of culture

The Chandler blueberry variety is famous for its many positive qualities, but there are also negative sides.

Low maintenanceFast fruit growth, disease resistance Cold Survival

Pros	Cons
Stable yields	Demanding soil composition, fertilizers
Large, juicy fruits	Blueberries are poorly transported

Characteristics and description of blueberries Chandler

The bush bears fruit later, 2 weeks later than the Bluecrop variety. Berries are more suitable for fresh consumption, as they are not stale. Blueberries do not leave anyone indifferent, not only because of the huge berries that ripen at the same time, but also because of a number of features.

Characteristics of blueberries:

• berries of large size, flattened, blue with a whitish wax coating;
• fruits are delicate, poorly transported over long distances;
• harvest is plentiful, regular, collection stretches from 4 to 6 weeks, from the beginning of August to September 15.

The bushes withstand frosts up to 28 degrees, winter hardiness is average.

Size and branching of the bush

Tall shrub grows up to 150 cm high. The plant has strong, fast growing shoots, a branched habit. The foliage grows large, white-pinkish. When flowering, the garden acquires a romantic atmosphere. Blueberries serve as an additional decorative element.

Flowering and fruiting

Chandler's blueberry blooms from late June to mid-July.Fruiting starts from the beginning of August, lasts 1.5 months, until October 15. During this period, up to 8 kg of berries can be collected from one bush. Thanks to the extended fruiting period, summer residents can pick fruits as they ripen, even on weekends.

This feature will not appeal to farmers whose activities are aimed at simultaneously obtaining a large number of crops for sale.

Collection and use of berries

Large-fruited blueberries are harvested in 5-6 approaches, since the yield is stretched. The collection starts from the bottom of the bush, ends at the top. Berries are widely used for fresh consumption. They also make jams, jams, candied fruits from blue, tasty and dense fruits, decorate desserts.

Susceptibility to diseases and insects

Chandler blueberry variety has strong immunity, resists fungi, aphids, cancer.Sometimes you have to deal with harmful bugs or diseases with the help of chemicals or folk remedies. The protective functions of the plant depend on proper care for it, soil fertilizers. If left unattended, blueberries will often get sick.

Resistant to low temperatures and drought

Chandler's blueberry variety can withstand temperatures as low as -28 degrees. In most regions of Russia and other CIS countries, this temperature is the norm. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the South, since in the northern and middle latitudes, shelter is required for the berry, it can freeze.

Planting a crop on the site

Holes are made in standard sizes - 505060 cm, maintaining a distance between bushes of 2.5-3 meters. One plant should have a space of at least 1.5-2 meters. After disembarkation, constant watering is required, soil moisture should be maintained within 70%.Drying out or strong moisture will harm the plant.

To retain moisture, the root circle is covered with a mulch layer. Then frequent watering will not be required.

Optimal timing

Seedlings are planted in open soil in spring or autumn, sprouts can be transplanted from March to the end of October, as long as there is no frost, along with the soil. In the South, an autumn planting is possible, provided that the climate is warm, the young bush will have time to form a rhizome by frost. In the northern regions and the middle lane, planting work is done in the spring. It is important that the earth warms up 15-17 cm deep. The air temperature should not fall below 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the seedling will freeze.

Suitable soil

Blueberries prefer to grow on loose soils, with a high content of sand, peat, acidity within 3.8-4.8 pH. You can plant bushes next to sorrel, mint, horsetail. If the acidity is 6, blueberries will grow slowly. On neutral or alkaline lands, the variety may not take root.

Sprouting seeds

Blueberries are widely propagated using seeds that are obtained from fully ripe, good fruits. After separating the pulp from the stone, they are dried, and in the fall they are planted on the territory in shallow holes. Before growing up, you need to consistently weed, moisturize and nourish. After, the young bush is transplanted to a permanent place. It is important to maintain the optimal distance between plants, approximately 0.5 meters.

Growing from cuttings

Reproduction of the blueberry variety by root cuttings starts with preparation in November. They are separated from the parent, put in the sand, put in a cool place. After 2 years, with careful care, they will turn into a suitable seedling. Planting material can be planted in open soil, get a crop for the next year.

Caring for the fruit bush

Caring for blueberries is not difficult, it is only important to pay a little attention to them. Carry out the following manipulations:

• regular watering, feeding, weeding;
• mulching beds;
• pruning the bush;
• prophylactic treatments for beetles and diseases.

In the North or in the middle latitudes, shelter bushes are required for the winter.

Water and fertilize plants

Irrigate blueberries 1-2 times a week, depending on weather conditions. For 1 bush you will need 10 liters of water, previously settled. Do not pour cold liquid, it harms the plant. Regular watering ensures a stable harvest, laying flower buds for the next year.Without irrigation, there will be fewer berries.

Drip irrigation is widely used, moisture is sprayed into the ground gradually, the leaves are moistened, the culture is saved from overheating and drying out.

Fertilizers are applied in March - 50% of nitrogen substances. During pollen and ovary, add the rest. Nitrogen fertilization is completed in mid-July, so that the plant can safely overwinter. Nitrates are not used, they harm blueberries, change the acidity of the earth.

Mulching and loosening beds

For mulching blueberries, hay, peat, sand, sawdust, leaves or straw are used. Bushes are covered with these objects in order to protect them from temperature extremes, beetle attacks and diseases. A layer of mulch makes the earth more loose, fertile, light, retains moisture.

The most popular method is to cover the berries with sawdust, as this material is the most durable.The thickness of the mulch should be 10 cm. The first mulching is carried out after planting blueberries in a new place. In the future, the procedure is done as needed. When re-mulching, reduce the layer to 5 cm.

Cutting

Pruning of sprawling blueberry bushes is carried out for 3-4 years of their life. Prior to this, the sanitary formation of the plant is done. Excised damaged, hanging to the side of the aisle, not fruit-bearing branches. They interfere with the growth, rooting of powerful, straight shoots. On an adult bush there should be no more than 5-6 branches. Anti-aging pruning is carried out for 5-6 years

Preventive treatments

Culture most often suffers from stem cancer. Pathology is caused by a specific fungus. Small red spots appear on the plant. Over time, they become chestnut, acquire an oval shape. In the final stage, the stem dies off.Signs of the disease are visible to the naked eye in summer. Cancer usually affects young people. You can avoid the disease by not planting the berry in waterlogged areas and without adding excess nitrogen.

Stable pruning will also help. Infected stems must be burned. They also use a 0.2% solution of Topsin and Euparen. Apply 3 sprays per bush 1 time per week before pollen and the same amount after harvest. It can be treated with Bordeaux liquid in the spring before the foliage blooms and in October, after it has fallen. If the berry does not grow, becomes dwarfed, this indicates a lesion with viral or mycoplasmal pathologies. Complete removal of the diseased specimen with further incineration is required.

Wintering

Chandler blueberry winter hardiness is high, but in regions where frosty winters prevail, it is better to cover the bushes with a light, non-woven fabric. Burlap is widely used. The fabric must be breathable. Additionally, blueberries are covered with snow. If the winter is snowless, the stems are tied with spruce branches.

Reviews about the variety

Below are responses from gardeners who grow Chandler blueberries on their property. They will help you learn about all the nuances of the variety.

1. Irina Novoselova, 68, St. Petersburg. Hello! Chandler learned about the blueberry variety from a neighbor. I decided to try the culture in my garden. Planted 8 bushes of berries. Fruiting came in a year, the berries were large, collected about 30 kg of the crop. She made smoothies out of them, added them to pastries, made jams.
2. Alexander Vinnichenko, 59 years old, Kyiv. Greetings! I have been growing blueberries for over 15 years. I recently started growing the Chandler variety. The harvest is always plentiful, the fruits are large, juicy, sweet. The bushes were sick with aphids, removed with chemicals. I recommend this variety to everyone!

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