Blueberries bloom in December. Can the flowers stay

Blueberries that bloom in December can generally be preserved, but it depends on the overall health status of the plant and climate conditions. The winter flowering of blueberries may be related to variety characteristics or climate anomalies, with the main influencing factors being plant cold resistance, flower bud differentiation status, and local winter temperature fluctuations. When blueberries bloom in winter, if the plant grows vigorously and the local winter temperature is relatively stable, preserving the flowers usually does not have a significant impact on the following year's results. Some cold resistant varieties, such as North High bush blueberries, have strong stress resistance, and their flower buds can tolerate short-term low temperatures, during which flowering is a normal physiological phenomenon. Growers can increase the supply of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers appropriately to help enrich flower buds, while avoiding excessive pruning in winter and retaining some old branches to provide nutrient support for flowers. If the plant is in a weakened state or experiences extreme low temperature weather, retaining the flowers may lead to excessive nutrient consumption. Early flowering varieties are prone to premature sprouting under warm winter conditions, and their flower organs are susceptible to freezing damage during sudden cold waves, manifested as petal browning and shedding. At this point, it is recommended to manually remove some flower buds, concentrate nutrient supply to the remaining flowers, and cover the base of the plant with non-woven fabric to prevent cold. Blueberries grown in greenhouses should also pay attention to regulating the temperature difference between day and night. The nighttime temperature should not exceed 10 degrees Celsius to avoid breaking the dormancy cycle. When managing flowering blueberry plants in winter, soil moisture should be regularly checked to maintain a slightly moist substrate without water accumulation. Applying humic acid organic fertilizer can enhance root vitality, and applying calcium magnesium fertilizer during the fruiting period can prevent fruit cracking. Outdoor planting should pay attention to weather forecasts, and spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 3 days before the arrival of cold waves to enhance frost resistance. Plants that retain flowers need to strengthen aphid control in spring, as early flowering is more likely to attract pests. It is recommended to hang yellow sticky insect boards for physical control.