How to Grow Rabbiteye Blueberry (<em>Vaccinium ashei</em>)

Name: Rabbiteye Blueberry 
Variety: Vaccinium ashei
Family: Ericaceae
Cultivar: N/A
Zones: 8 to 10
AHS Heat Zone: Not defined for this plant
Soil Type: Sandy loam to some clay
Soil pH: 4 to 6.5
Sunlight: Sun to full sun
Watering: Moist to boggy
Fertilizer: Flowering shrub and tree fertilizer
Availability: Sold as live, potted plants.

When to plant: Plant the Rabbiteye Blueberry at any time during the growing season when there is no danger of frost.

Planting Method
Container: Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep as the soil in the container. Center the Rabbiteye Blueberry in the planting hole and backfill with soil. Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark and water well.

Balled and burlaped: If the burlap is synthetic, remove and discard it, as synthetic burlap will not decompose. Dig a planting hole three times the size of the rootball. Center the Rabbiteye Blueberry in the planting hole. Remove any staples or ties holding the burlap onto the plant. Fold the top of the organic burlap down so that it is completely covered when you backfill with soil. Backfill with soil. Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark and water well.

Bare root: Soak the Rabbiteye Blueberry roots for at least eight hours to ensure proper hydration. Dig a planting hole as wide as the spread out roots and as deep as the discoloration on the stem. Center the Rabbiteye Blueberry in the planting hole and backfill with soil. Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark and water well.

Watering
Water the Rabbiteye Blueberry with at least an inch of water per week. The soil should be kept moist to a depth of 18 inches. If the Rabbiteye Blueberry tends to wilt, water more, keeping the soil drenched.

Fertilizing
Fertilize the Rabbiteye Blueberry with phosphorus the first year, then with a flowering shrub and tree fertilizer before new growth each year. If using organic fertilizer, follow the instructions on the package, as different brands may have different ingredients and strengths.

Production
The Rabbiteye Blueberry is a low maintenance shrub that produces green foliage and single flowers in shades of pink, red and white. It also produces edible blueberries.

Harvesting
Pick blueberries when they ripen to a dark blue color.

Diseases
Rusts: Rusts generally overwinter on plant foliage and spent flowers. It is host specific and is a small, yellow or bright orange pustule under the leaves. Sometimes the pustules can be brown. Other fungi and splashing water causes most rust problems. It tends to worsen when the weather gets moist. To control rust problems, water from underneath. Make sure the plants have enough air flow to them - this can be accomplished by thinning and pruning. Water the plants from the bottom, and only during the day, giving them a chance to dry before nightfall. Rusts can also be controlled with a fungicide.

Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungus that usually affects plants that have low air circulation and inadequate light. It is a bigger problem in the early spring and fall months, when the temperatures swing from high during the day to low at night, especially in zones with a lot of humidity. Powdery mildew forms a white or gray coating on the top-side of the leaves or on the fruit of the plant, making the leaves turn yellow. They eventually curl up and drop off. It makes stunted fruit that drops early. If you suspect powdery mildew, decrease watering, use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and keep water off the foliage. Apply fungicides as directed on their packages.

Pythium and Phytophtora Root Rot: Pythium and phytophtora root rot attacks a plant if there are fungal spores in the soil and the plant is over watered, creating a high moisture level. Roots turn black and break and the leaves - usually from the bottom up, yellow and fall off. Contaminated water or unsterilized soil mix is the usual cause of this particular root rot. To control this disease, remove infected plants, make sure the soil is well drained and do not over water and over fertilize plants. There is no chemical that can treat pythium and phytophtora root rot.

Pests
Scale Insects: The small, eighth-inch long scale insect attaches itself to the leaves and stems of plants. While the males have wings, the females do not, and spend their lives attached to the plant, sucking out the juices with their piercing mouth parts. The scale insect excretes honeydew, which causes the plant to have the fungus sooty mold. The sooty mold attracts ants. Cut any infected leaves off the plants. If the stems are also infected, you may have to dispose of the entire plant. You can try to control them with insecticidal soaps or pesticides. You can also introduce parasitic wasps to your garden, as they are the scale insect's natural enemies. Lady beetles are also enemies and may help to control the scale insect population.

Visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/greenhouse.htm for more information on pest control and pictures of pests.

Caterpillars: Caterpillars are heavy feeders and can be quite destructive. They are the immature form of butterflies and moths. Help control caterpillar infestations by removing all weeds around the area and introducing parasitic wasps to the garden. If you are still having problems, certain insecticidal soaps and oils will kill the caterpillars.

Cleanup
Prune in the spring and throughout the growing season for dead and decaying plant matter. Remove any plants afflicted with disease.