Blueberries, pruning
-
Prune in late winter. The only pruning necessary in the first two years is to encourage formation of a strong, well-shaped, open-centered bush. Prune back shoots growing out horizontally and any weak growth, cutting to an upright shoot. Thereafter, prune out the oldest and weakest wood near the base of the plant to encourage strong new growth and remove any horizontal growth spreading out toward the ground.
Cut out no more than a quarter of the bush annually. Sparse pruning produces spindly growth on weak wood with small fruit; excessive pruning leads to larger berries, more new wood, but a poor harvest.