Rubel blueberries are a popular choice for home gardeners, offering both an attractive plant and flavorful fruit. This northern highbush blueberry cultivar has gained recognition for its unique characteristics and suitability for various culinary uses. Understanding its specific needs for cultivation can help ensure a bountiful harvest.
Understanding Rubel Blueberries
The Rubel blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, is one of the original cultivated highbush blueberry varieties, discovered in the New Jersey wild around 1912-1913. It was named after Ruben Leek, who found the plant, and then cultivated by Elizabeth Coleman White and Dr. Frederick Coville, instrumental in blueberry domestication.
Rubel blueberries are known for their small, firm berries with a distinctive sweet-tart flavor. The deep blue berries are comparable to a large pea. The bush provides year-round visual interest with white blooms, deep green foliage that shifts to orange in the fall, and fiery red twigs in winter. Rubel blueberries also contain significantly more antioxidants than many other blueberry varieties.
Planting Rubel Blueberries
Blueberries thrive in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, and benefit from a location protected from harsh winds. While they can tolerate partial shade, full sun promotes better fruit production. Avoid planting them too close to large trees, which compete for moisture and sunlight.
Rubel blueberries require highly acidic soil, ideally with a pH range between 4.0 and 5.5. To increase acidity, granular sulfur can be incorporated into the soil several months before planting. Mixing in organic matter like peat moss or shredded pine bark also helps acidify the soil and improve drainage, which is crucial as blueberries do not tolerate soggy conditions.
The best times to plant Rubel blueberries are in early spring or late fall. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Gently loosen the roots before placing the plant, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Space individual bushes approximately 4 to 5 feet apart, with rows 10 to 12 feet apart if planting a hedgerow. While Rubel blueberries are self-fertile, planting another highbush variety nearby can enhance cross-pollination, potentially leading to larger berries and increased yields.
Ongoing Care for Rubel Blueberries
Consistent moisture is important for Rubel blueberry plants, particularly during fruit development. They need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, and the soil should remain consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth around the shallow root systems. Organic mulches such as wood chips, pine needles, or shredded leaves are suitable choices.
Fertilization should be approached carefully, as blueberries are sensitive to excessive nutrients. Use acid-loving plant formulas, such as those for azaleas or rhododendrons, or specific blueberry fertilizers that avoid nitrogen in nitrate form. Fertilize in early spring and again four to six weeks later, typically around bloom time. For newly planted bushes, wait several weeks before the first light application to prevent root burn.
Pruning is an annual task that maintains plant health and productivity. The best time to prune is during the dormant season, in winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This involves removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and thinning out older, less productive canes to encourage new growth and improve air circulation. For the first two years after planting, removing flower buds helps the plant focus energy on establishing a strong root system.
Blueberries are generally not bothered by significant pest or disease problems when properly cared for. However, issues like mummy berry, stem borer, or fungal diseases such as gray mold can occur. Good sanitation, removing infected plant parts, and ensuring proper air circulation through pruning can help prevent many problems. Observing plants regularly for signs of distress allows for early intervention.
For colder climates, providing winter care can protect the plants. This might involve ensuring adequate mulch for insulation around the root zone, especially for younger plants. Some gardeners in very cold regions may choose to cover plants or move container-grown blueberries to a protected area during severe freezes.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Rubel Blueberries
Rubel blueberries typically ripen mid to late season, usually from late July to early August. The primary indicator of ripeness is their deep blue color and the ease with which they detach from the bush. Berries should be fully blue, as they do not continue to ripen once picked. Gentle picking techniques are recommended to avoid damaging the fruit or the plant.
A mature Rubel blueberry bush can be quite productive, with yields of up to 15-20 pounds of fruit per year. Individual bushes can start bearing fruit within one to two years after planting, with significant production often beginning around their fifth year. To maintain freshness, harvested blueberries should be stored in the refrigerator, unwashed, until ready for use. For longer-term storage, blueberries freeze exceptionally well without needing to be blanched.
Rubel blueberries, with their firm texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor, are versatile in the kitchen. They are excellent for fresh eating, baking in muffins, pies, and other desserts, and well-suited for making jams, jellies, and sauces.