Articles
THE CULTIVATION OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES FROM A GROWER’S POINT OF VIEW
Primarily, highbush blueberries, and to a small extent cranberries, lingonberries, and blackberries are cultivated on my plantation, the highbush blueberries being the main source of income.
As an employer, I must work as economically as possible, keeping this objective in mind by all considerations and decisions.
Please view my report under this aspect.
To begin with, I would like to say a few words about the origin of my plantation.
I had the opportunity to work on Dr.
Heermann’s plantation in Grethem for several years.
Dr.
Heermann belongs to the pioneers of highbush blueberry cultivation in Europe.
His extensive knowledge of this plant species essentially facilitated my start.
In 1962, I became self-employed.
My first plant material was bought in Schennendor, Iowa, USA, through Ruys in Holland and later from Ammon in New Jersey, USA. From these plants, I was able to produce cuttings, i.e., young plants to be sold.
In 1968, my first productive plantation was begun.
This first plot is more or less an experimental field.
It consists of 27 different varieties, which have all grown well.
Decisive, however, is that the fruit can be sold for a good profit.
At present, my field is 7 hectares in size, however, I have selected the 4 varieties which fulfill all prerequisites: