Can you give some tips on pruning bluberry bushes? I think it is to be done in the winter, but how much should i prune?

The Grump is happy to oblige. You are correct -- winter is a good time to prune, mainly because the branches are bare and you can easily see the twigs.

Blueberry bushes don't need a lot of pruning. The main reasons you do it are to remove dead wood and to thin out the plants. Thinning permits sunlight to reach the inner leaves, resulting in tastier fruit. It also reduces the potential crop, which usually makes the remaining berries bigger and sweeter.

First, let's remove dead wood. It's easy to tell which branches are dead right now. Live, healthy twigs are greenish with a red blush and red buds. Dead twigs are usually gray with no buds and are so brittle they snap easily. Bend a branch to test it. If it snaps right away, it's dead. Prune off all of the dead stuff.

Thinning takes a little more care. You don't want to overdo it or you'll cut off most of the flower buds and get very little fruit. Begin by thinning crowded branches and twigs -- those that are laying on top of each other or occupying the same space. Also remove crossing or rubbing branches. Your goal is a shrub made up of tiers of well-spaced branches that a bird could fly through. Prune back to outward-facing buds.

Hope that helps. Grumpy

Question:

I have a bluejay and a premier variety blueberry bush planted about 8 feet apart, will these to varieties cross-pollinate and produce fruit?

That's an interesting question. 'Blue Jay' is a selection of Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), the one that Northerners grow, while 'Premier' is a selection of rabbiteye blueberry (V. ashei), the type that Southerners grow. I suppose they could cross-pollinate, since hybrids between the two exist. But I doubt you can grow both types well, as rabbiteye is much more tolerant of long, hot summers and highbush takes colder winters. If you live in the North, I'd add 'Bluecrop' or "Earliblue.' If you live in the South, add 'Tifblue' or 'Climax.'

My Climax blue berry bush has bloomed and the petals are falling off, it that normal. How long will it take the blueberries to grow and start turning blue? I live in Georgia. Also my Bluejay plant has jus now bloomed and most of the blooms are still closed.

If the flowers were pollinated, you'll soon know if you'll be getting any berries. Small round berries will start forming where the flowers were. They'll turn blue when they ripen in June.