RJ Homestead

As winter settles in and our blueberry bushes enter dormancy, now is the perfect time to propagate new plants. With 15 established blueberry bushes (ages 3–4 years) in our garden, we’re aiming to double our stock this year. Our mission? To ensure a steady supply of fresh berries for our daughter—snacked on straight from the bush, turned into jams and fruit leathers, or canned for year-round enjoyment. This is our first serious foray into blueberry propagation, and we’re diving in with hardwood cuttings. Here’s how it’s going so far!

Why Propagate Blueberries?

Blueberries are a powerhouse of nutrition and versatility. By propagating our own plants, we’re not only saving money but also preserving the genetics of varieties that thrive in our specific growing conditions. Plus, expanding our patch means more fruit for fresh eating, baking, and preserving—a win for our family’s self-sufficiency goals.

Why Hardwood Cuttings?

While blueberries can be propagated via softwood cuttings (taken in late spring/summer) or seeds, hardwood cuttings offer a straightforward method for beginners. Harvested during dormancy (late winter/early spring), these mature, woody stems are less prone to drying out and can root reliably with minimal intervention. For us, timing is everything: with plants dormant, the cuttings focus energy on root development as temperatures warm.

Our Propagation Process

Step 1: Collecting Cuttings
We selected healthy, pencil-thick canes from 5–6 of our most vigorous bushes. Using sharp pruners, we cut 2-foot sections from last year’s growth. Each long cane was then divided into 6–8-inch segments, yielding 3 cuttings per original stem. Pro tip: Make angled cuts at the base (to identify orientation) and flat cuts at the top to prevent moisture pooling.

Step 2: Prepping the Cuttings
The trimmed cuttings were soaked in a pint jar of water for an hour to rehydrate the stems. After soaking, we dipped the base of each cutting into rooting hormone powder to stimulate root growth.

Step 3: DIY Planting Setup
Sustainability is key in our garden, so we repurposed plastic containers from store-bought ground beef:

• Top tray: Drilled drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
• Bottom tray: Catches excess water.
  We filled the top tray with moistened potting mix (a blend of peat moss and perlite for acidity and drainage) and inserted the cuttings about 2 inches deep, spacing them evenly to avoid crowding.

Step 4: Creating a “False Spring” Indoors
Most hardwood cuttings can root outdoors in pots, but blueberries often benefit from a controlled warm environment early on. Since we lack a sunny windowsill, we placed the trays under grow lights to mimic spring conditions. The goal? Trick the cuttings into breaking dormancy and developing roots as temperatures rise.

Materials & Setup Recap

• Cuttings: 6–8 inches long, taken from 1-year-old wood.
• Containers: Recycled food trays (top with drainage holes + bottom catchment).
• Medium: Moist, well-draining acidic soil.
• Rooting aid: Hormone powder for faster root development.
• Environment: Grow lights to provide consistent light and warmth.

Next Steps & Hopes

The cuttings now sit under grow lights in our makeshift propagation station. Over the coming weeks, we’ll keep the soil lightly moist and watch for signs of budding—a hint that roots are forming below. By late spring or early summer, we hope to gently tug on the cuttings and feel resistance (a sure sign of success!). Once rooted, we’ll harden them off outdoors before transplanting into pots or directly into our berry patch.

Why This Matters to Us

Growing our own food isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to nourish our family with organic, hyper-local produce. Blueberries symbolize that effort: they’re a crop we can preserve, share, and enjoy in countless ways. Propagating our plants ensures this cycle continues for years to come.

Join the Conversation!

If you’ve propagated blueberries (successfully or otherwise), we’d love to hear your tips! Did you use hardwood or softwood cuttings? Any tricks for boosting root growth? Share your stories in the comments—let’s learn together!

Here’s to a future filled with buckets of blueberries, homemade jam, and the satisfaction of growing life from a single cutting.

Also, please stop by our facebook page and give us a “like” there. We post some additional content there, and we’re always happy to respond and answer any questions you may have! You can also find me on GAB, https://gab.com/jungerer!