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Pollination of Wild Blueberries

Wild blueberry plants require insects to cross pollinate flowers in order to create the small blue fruit that we love as pies, jams and other foods. In the wild, genetic and environmental issues will decrease the ability of a plant to produce berries. This can be offset by the cross pollination of insects, but often pollination rates can be poor, under 30 percent, specifically, due to the lack of bees. A good cross pollination rate is considered to be between 40 to 50 percent. This means that approximately half of the flowers are cross pollinated properly to allow fruit to set. One solution to encourage pollination is the introduction of managed bees.

Things You'll Need

Bees
Beekeeping protective gear
Beekeeper
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Introduce honey bees to the area where wild blueberries grow. An expert beekeeper should oversee this process. The beekeeper will assess the current activity of wild or indigenous bees, bumble bees and other pollinators and make recommendations on the number of hives and bees to bring to the blueberry fields.
- 2
  Ensure that there is a steady source of water. Honey bees require water to live and also in the production of honey. Bees have short foraging distances so it is important to have sources of fresh water available in the form or lakes, creeks or rivers. If necessary, ensure there are rain barrels placed throughout the wild blueberry fields.
- 3
  
  Introducing bees to areas where wild blueberries thrive is important to pollination.
  
  Ensure that plants with natural oils, resins, leaves and mud exist in the area to assist in the integration of managed bees. Bees will collect natural scented oils to attract a mate. Resins, leaves and mud are used to line their nests for baby bees. Ensure that there is a woodland close to the blueberry fields.
- 4
  Prune wild blueberry fields only after the autumn frost has arrived. If the blueberry plants are pruned in the spring or before the fall frosts, it will endanger the new bee colonies. Bees will be seeking nesting sites in the spring and final sources of nectar in the fall, so pruning will disturb these activities.
- 5
  Avoid irrigation of the wild blueberry fields. Bees do not visit wet flowers so avoid watering during the prime flowering and pollination season for the blueberries.

Insects & Science