Orlah obligation of blueberry plant growing on a detached platform
Question
Recently I bought a blueberry seedling which, according to El-Rom Nursery, is considered two years old (halachically) and grown in a detached platform. The pot is perforated, and in my case it’s growing on tiles. Does it continue its orlah year count this way, or do I need to start counting again? And if at some point it’s placed directly on the ground, will I then need to restart the count?
Another question — the plant has both thicker and thinner branches growing from the main stem. Do I need to ensure that no new branches grow from the base, since that would mean starting the orlah count again for those branches? Or is the plant as a whole considered one entity, regardless of the branches?
Thank you.
Answer
a. The prohibition of orlah in a detached growing medium is rabbinic in nature.
b. A blueberry seedling that was grown in a detached platform in the nursery and was then transferred to grow on tiles on a home balcony continues the orlah count from its nursery years.
c. Even if the pot has drainage holes, as long as it sits on the tiles of the balcony — especially if it’s on a plate or located on an upper floor — it is considered detached.
d. If it is later moved above the ground (exposed to the ground but not planted in it), there’s no need to restart the orlah count. However, if it is planted in a garden or even placed directly on the ground for an extended period (more than two weeks), according to many halachic authorities, one must restart the orlah count. In such a case, it’s best to recheck the matter with all the details.
e. Shoots that grow from the roots have their own orlah count and are therefore subject to orlah separately. They should be cut off so they don’t later mix with the other branches, which would make it unclear which branches have completed their orlah years and which have not. However, if they have already become mixed and it’s no longer possible to tell which are which — since this is a detached medium and the orlah prohibition here is only rabbinic — the fruits that grew on those shoots may be permitted.