March 2023
- I was wondering how I can figure out if a blueberry plant is the pollinator? I already have one, but today we learned that we need a pollinator.
Blueberries are native to Canada and thrive in BC. They belong to the Ericaceae family and like azaleas and rhododendrons, prefer acidic soil. They have both male and female parts and while they can self-pollinate, fruit yield will be lower than if planted with other bushes of differing varieties. Flowers are bell-shaped and therefore don’t easily spread their heavy pollen. Planting at least two varieties will ensure cross pollination from bees and other insects. The vibrating bee shakes lose the pollen from the anther within the flower and is picked up on the feet of the insect and carried to the stigma where it then fertilizes the ovule. You can read more about this here: https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/small-fruit-insect-biology-management/blueberry-pollinators/. This is called ‘buzz pollination’ and while it does occur with only one plant, fruit yield increases with multiple bushes planted together.
Sources:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2022060-eng.htm
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/plant-blueberry-bush-crosspollination-46270.html
https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/EDIBLES/EDIBLES_GROW_SHEETS/?uid=12&ds=996
https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/small-fruit-insect-biology-management/blueberry-pollinators/
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