so, got a notification they have shipped. i'm thinking i'll wait till they get here and decide how big a container they will need. thought about putting into the ground, but no go with house boss. 

what do i need to do? i heard not to fertilize them for first month or so after the re-potting. i'm going to use 1:1:1 pine bark fine, compost, and peat moss. not adding anything else into it. leave 2-4 inch on the top and add mulch. still need to check my water just to be sure it's good, if not i'll have to go and get some battery acid. 

Pete,
I've heard an Azalea mix is acidic and can be use as a start for blueberries.
Congrats on your new direction!
I ordered some blueberry cuttings from the UCD last year and they just arrived. Will try to root them.

I found this link useful
http://www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/growing-fruits-and-nuts/vine-and-bush-fruits/growing-blueberries

i would fill pot all the way. i had a similar mix for BB's in wine barrel, in it settled a lot. fill to the brim with mix and add mulch as it settles...

Use just peat and pine bark or needles - the blueberries will love it

it's suggested that pine bark/peat moss/rotted leaf in equal amounts. been thinking about it. i think pine bark fine/compost/peat most and perlite will give good drainage, and low ph. just need to check the ph of the water. if it's below 7, i won't bother adding acid. but if it's above, i'll add some battery acid in 5 gal and water it from there. will fertilize at the end of spring. 

Pete,

Be careful with the acid..you have to work out just how much you need.  Bit too much acid and you will fry those bushes.  

Yes, it's very strong stuff, even at 'only' 33%.

The basic formula for my 'blueberry water'  works out to approximately 2T battery acid per 32 gallon trash can of tap water (about pH 8 from the tap). That gives me about a pH5, though it's been a number of years since I've measured the final pH, and I don't remember the exact number. But the plants do well on that mix when I use it.

For ease of working with acid, I do make an intermediate solution of 2 cups of Bat Acid added to water in an almost full gallon plastic bottle, then topped off to 1 gallon. (never add water to acid). I add 1 cup of this more dilute acid solution to a trash can of tap water. (this is the equal of 2T straight acid per 32 gallons water) And usually a light dose of some water soluble fertilizer such as miracle gro or ammonium sulfate. 

This is for my tap water and works for me - yours is probably different. And I don't water with this every time since here the plants in containers need water almost daily in summer.

Pete, BB has shallow roots, and they spread. So, please put them in wide pots, like those for strawberries or flowers (some 20 inches wide by 8" or so deep)  I add just a little of composted soil to the aged pine needles.  A little of Azalea/ hydrangea acidifier ) about a spoon per pot before putting the plant in.   BB like water and do not like being soaking too long. The pine needs absorb the water and  feed them nicely.   If you have deep pots, you can fill the bottom with chunks of styrofoam, as their roots will never go down there.

i guess i'll be working with pipettes x) 

Pete,

And the amount of acid varies a huge amount from person to person depending on the bicarbonate load of the water.  Two people can have the same PH but vary greatly in bicarbonates.    

wills, 

just read our water analysis. no mention of bicarbonate or calcium carbonate. but the area ph is around 7.2-7.7. i'll do my own test for the water here. since i'm going to use container, i'll need to find out what the water is like. and will try to water it using it to see if it causes any issues. maybe i'll add sulfur.. not really sure at all. 

maybe i'll add some iron tone.. not sure. 

Pete,

What was the hardness on the report?  The bicarbonates is not something they specifically test for.  

wills, it said.. 23? 

Congrats Pete, I hope they thrive for you! If you do decide to go with sulfuric acid to bring the Ph down in your water then all the other acidifiers you speak of can be tossed out of the equation. I would recommend doing the sulfuric acid because it takes all the guess work out. When dealing with acidifiers alittle can go along way at times and its very easy to over acidify your pots. Ive done it and fried a couple plants plus its a pain flushing your plants for hours trying to reclaim the Ph. Your water is going to be the biggest factor and with out correcting it you will be playing YoYo with your Ph and eventually it will catch up with you. Rain water is best if you can collect enough of it. Second best option is correcting tap water to the desired soil Ph. Keeps the swinging to a minimum.

battery acid is $10 for 32oz around here. using few drops at a time, that will last awhile. tempting.. 

Pete,

At 23 hardness mg/L  your water would be considered pretty soft I would think.  I believe anything under 50 or is it 60?  is considered soft.  If you did want to correct your PH with acid it may take a very very small amount.....drop per 5 gallon bucket?  Really do not know but PH test paper is cheap and it is easy to work out.  Just make sure the paper you buy goes low enough.  

woo hoo.. the bb and mulberries are in town! out of delivery..lol. i get to play with soils again.. and get my fingernails all dirty.. 

Grocery Outlet has a few plants. I could not resist the Emerald Blueberry. That variety I don't have. 2 came home with me for less than $10 for both! plants are a foot high.  I got other trees from them last year, and they are all doing very well.

they were having sale at HD. i took a look and i wasn't sure if they were alive. never seen blueberry plants before and they looked like dried up bamboo sticks. didn't want to chance it. if ones coming in does well, i'll probably get some next yr. they have some good stuff per the label, but who knows.. i never bought fruit tree at HD before. 

Pete i thought about getting a blueberry plant 
currently have blackberry in pot left outdoors all winter as
its suppose to be hardy and was given to me .
The few eaten last season were excellent.

martin, blueberries are more for my wife and the kids. what i'm looking forward to is Noir de Spain that's in the shipment. i'll probably get IE next yr. i want to have huge mulberry trees that my further grand kids can climb all over all summer long. 

 Some hard to root blueberries ( Bluecrop, Bluegold, Patriot, Brigitta )hardwood cuttings rooted in just 3 weeks. With the help of some Clonex and my method. 
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/the-best-rooting-method-i-found-over-the-years-6717809?pid=1281181277#post1281181277

Pete cant speak about the Noir of Spain taste perhaps they will come this season but the IE on personal palate
is excellent and iv'e seen trees hear that are large so in your climate they should do well and the future generation kids may
enjoy them .