{"product_id":"climax-blueberry-bush-organic","title":"Climax Blueberry - USDA Organic","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\tBlooms and Bountiful Blueberries Organically, Year to Year\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePacked with easily-grown organic blueberries, the Climax Blueberry Bush is one of the oldest rabbiteye blueberry bushes on the market. \u003c\/strong\u003eIts robust blueberries and luxuriant growth are bolstered by hot, humid climates, and its rapid growth results in a 15-foot silhouette if left unpruned. Fast growth that’s effortlessly achieved, right in your backyard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnd its long life means large, super sweet clusters of medium-sized berries that ripen in early May, year after year.\u003c\/strong\u003e These delicious superfood berries are known for their antioxidants and delectable taste, making them a healthful alternative to store-bought snacks. Whether you pluck and eat right off the bush or save for an oven-baked dessert, blueberries from the Climax Blueberry Bush are one-of-a-kind – firm-fleshed and flavorful with a touch of spice merging with their sweet taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest of all, the Climax Blueberry Bush is gorgeously picturesque. \u003c\/strong\u003eThick foliage means it’s well-suited as a hedge, border or featured plant in your landscape, and beauteous pink, red and white blooms in early spring impart ultimate curb appeal to your home. And these flourishing florals give rise to the plentiful fruit you love later in the season. After your Climax Blueberry Bush fruits, deep green hues emerge through the summer and enter dormancy during fall, transitioning to red for a dazzling display of autumnal tones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlus, the organic Climax Blueberry Bush is perfect for low-maintenance, all-natural growth in your landscape.\u003c\/strong\u003e No harsh sprays, chemicals or green thumb necessary. Just happy and healthful development that imparts a burst of benefits from season to season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrder your Climax Blueberry Bush today for an array of blooms, berries and bold hues that are all natural!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eClimax Blueberries are in a group called “rabbit eye” blueberries.  They are a good choice for warmer zones (USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10) with a chill hours rating of 450, which drives their flowering habit.  A ‘chill hour’ is one hour under 45\u003csup\u003eo\u003c\/sup\u003eF.  In warmer climates, this means they will be less subject to early frost which will kill the blooms and subsequently, not bear fruit.  All blueberries require cross-pollination to bear fruit, so plant in close proximity with other blueberry plants with similar, slightly earlier, or slightly later bloom times.  Two plants are all it takes, but we recommend at least three, and preferably 2-3 groups of 3 rabbit eye type berries.  Climax and other rabbit eye blueberries will grow taller than their highbush relatives of the north.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eLike all blueberries, Climax is a slow grower, so patience is truly a virtue. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal, Location, and Exposure Considerations\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlueberries will thrive in full sun throughout the day.  Avoid planting against east shading tree lines or buildings.  The plant will ‘reach’ for the sun as it goes by during the day, causing them to bend their branches.   Choose a south, north, or east facing aspect for best results. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Preferences\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eClimax, and all blueberries must have a low pH.  Ideal range is 4.5-5.5.  While they do not do well in waterlogged soils, they will require a fairly consistent supply of moisture.  The ideal site will have good drainage, but good moisture holding capacity.  Mulching is a good idea, especially in drier sites.  They are tolerant to most any combination of soil textures, as long as these criteria can be met.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting and Care – Container Grown or in Pots\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eYou can grow Climax berries in containers, as long as you remember a few basic requirements.  First, remember they will grow taller than their highbush and certainly their lowbush relatives that are more suited to cooler climates, so you want to allow for their fibrous roots with plenty of pot space.  Second, you must provide for their acid loving nature with a soil mix that is low in pH.  Azalea mixes are your best choice.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoose a large pot.  They have fibrous, relatively shallow roots, so give them plenty of room in which to grow.  Your pot should be a full size larger than the container the plant came in.  A good size to start with should be at least 18” wide.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlways choose a planter that has drain holes in the bottom so as to avoid a waterlogged condition.  Ideally, a pot that drains through well, but that you water often to keep the roots in a moderately moist environment, works best.  Don’t be afraid to mulch your pots as it will help in retaining moisture close to the surface where the roots can access it. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen planting in pots, plant to the same soil level as the container your plant came in.  Do not bury the crown of the blueberry plant.  Gently spread the roots if bound in the pot and spread your soil over and under the roots.  Fill the pot halfway, water, let the water drain, then finish backfilling and water again.  Monitor the moisture in the soil with your finger to make sure it does not dry out.  You should maintain good moisture as the plant establishes itself to remove any remaining air pockets and have a moist soil surrounding all the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eNewly planted blueberries don’t require fertilizer.  Once well established, blueberries only need nitrogen applied in the spring.  Use only fertilizers designed for acid-loving plants.  Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) in the spring is a good choice.  Never use nitrate or urea based nitrogen sources.  A good guide is about 1.0 oz of 21-0-0 per plant per year of growth, not to exceed 8 oz for a plant older than 8 years.  If complete analysis fertilizers are applied, use only those designed for acid-lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf growing rabbit eye blueberries in colder climates, you will need to mimic temperatures common to the zones in which they grow best (8-10). \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting and Care – Outdoor Growing in the Garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eClimax Blueberries will thrive in an open yard.  As long as you give them full sun exposure, provide for soil acidity requirements and soil drainage\/moisture as recommended above, they’ll provide years of beautiful blooms and delicious fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe most common mistake with blueberries is to plant them in too alkaline a soil.  If your soil is not between 4.5-5.5, you will have a never-ending battle on your hands.  pH is not adjusted in existing soil very quickly.  If the soil around the plant is at a high pH, replace the entire anticipated rooting zone with acidic soil.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eMix sphagnum peat with the soil you dig for your hole at a 1:1 ratio.  Sphagnum is an acidic form of peat moss.  If your soil is near the high end of the pH range, use more sphagnum; and add sulfur to the soil around the planting area deeply and blended well with the soil if possible.  Monitor pH every year in these types of soil situations.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt’s best to plant your Climax blueberries in the spring.  Dig your hole 2-3 times as wide, and a little deeper than the pot you are receiving them in.  Work up the soil in the bottom of the hole, blending some sphagnum with it.  Plant to about the same level as the container, or a little above the soil level, so as to provide for settling of the plant.  Backfill about half way, water, let the water settle, then finish backfilling.  Water generously and water often as the plants establish in the first year while remembering to not drown them.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBlueberries require close attention to soil moisture due to their fibrous, shallow root systems.  Young plants are especially susceptible to drying out, and close attention should be paid to make sure they have a nice moist environment.  Use well-rotted mulches for blueberries if possible.  Because they are sensitive to nitrate-nitrogen, composts derived from animal manures should not be used.  The same is as, or more important with dried or fresh manures.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlueberries not only don’t require much fertilizer, but they may be damaged by too much.  It is not recommended to fertilize them in the first year; and only modestly in subsequent years using Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) or acid plant food.  As noted above, about 1.0 oz per plant per year of growth, not to exceed 8.0 oz.  Split applications are ok, though not necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome organic forms of fertilizers acceptable for blueberries include blood meal, or cottonseed meal. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeed, Insects, and Diseases\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeed control for blueberries is important especially young plantings.  Sod and weeds will rob them of all important moisture.  Create a weed free area well around the perimeter of your plant prior to planting, then mulch well afterwards.  Shallow cultivation should be avoided.  Other than weeds, the only other ‘pests’ are birds.  Birds will strip your plants just before you’re ready to pick the fruit, so plan to use netting to protect the plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning and Training\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBlueberries do not require pruning until they are actively growing.  Other than removing dead and diseased shoots (which is very important), you’ll not need to prune until you have a few years of cane growth.  You’ll want to prune so as to have 5-8 main canes arising from the base of the plant.  A good guide is to remove ‘dead’ growth; ‘old’ growth (3 years or more); and ‘low’ growth, so as to encourage an open, tall growing bush.  Eventually, you’ll want to ‘top’ your bushes, but cut close to the stem and remove entire branches at a time rather than shearing or shaping.  Prune branches that are spreading the bush out too much as they will bend and bow away from the plant, causing splits and problems in the wind or from physical injury.  Prune only when dormant (other than when removing dead shoots)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fast Growing Trees","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon","offer_id":35584943653013,"sku":"BLU-CLI1.ORGANIC","price":39.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0452\/4628\/3925\/products\/Climax_Blueberry_350_f17950d9-12a5-463b-a24c-af9ab71f3b0d.png?v=1596741453","url":"https:\/\/eightvape2b-com.myshopify.com\/products\/climax-blueberry-bush-organic","provider":"eightvape2b.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}