Blueberry Watering Help

mumtosix

I have planted my blueberries in correct soil and they seem to be growing steadily however I was lead to believe that they should only be watered with rainwater as tap water was to harsh for them. My problem is that my waterbutt is empty!! - think the kids might have been watering without me!! - Without the prospect of any rain in the coming week is it ok to water them with tap water? Or do I need to add something to the tap water to make it more suitable or should I buy spring water or de-ionised water? Any help is much appreciated.

gardenroute

Hard tap water is alkaline and blueberries like acidic conditions. A few waterings with hard tap water shouldn't affect them or the soil too much. Its mainly a problem when the plant's in a pot and it only gets tap water.
If its establlished and looking healthy you may not need to water it at all. It's better to let plants search deeper in the ground for water themselves, than let them become dependant on roots near the surface that get the watering can water.

mumtosix

Thanks for your help Gardenroute

pinkcandyflossprincess

I have just been watering my sons plant from the outdoor tap- its growing slowly though.
ive only just found out my rhodedron needed special soil so as you can see im not very green fingered:rotfl:

annie123

pinkcandyflossprincess wrote: »

I have just been watering my sons plant from the outdoor tap- its growing slowly though.
ive only just found out my rhodedron needed special soil so as you can see im not very green fingered:rotfl:

Wouldn't worry, I have one and it's planted straight in my clay soil and it's fine, lots of lovely flowers every year. I do feed it with special food twice a year, but that's it.

mumtosix

Think I might be saved for today, having a wonderful lightening storm at the moment so I imagine a bit of rain is on its way!!

ALIBOBSY

We have clay soil and live in a soft water area so the ground is neutral to acid-blueberries seem ok in the ground. I suspect clay soil means acidic soil Annie. Think the issue is blueberries can't take alkali which may depend on where you live as to if your water is "hard" or "soft".
Living here means I have never seen limescale and as a child had no idea what it was until I went to stay down south lol.

ali x

annie123

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

We have clay soil and live in a soft water area so the ground is neutral to acid-blueberries seem ok in the ground. I suspect clay soil means acidic soil Annie. Think the issue is blueberries can't take alkali which may depend on where you live as to if your water is "hard" or "soft".
Living here means I have never seen limescale and as a child had no idea what it was until I went to stay down south lol.

ali x

Clay soils tend to be alkaline, but it can be either, and I test my soil every few years prior to liming if needed.
Rhododendrons are very forgiving, we also have rock hard london water, you can almost see the lime scale building up infront of you.

frivolous_fay

Mine gets a mix of rain and tap water and it's always been completely fine - it's in a pot.