My sister-in-law has some blackberry bushes that are against a wire trellis. Where the bush touches the wire, it dies. Not sure what the wire is made of.
I do not think it is metal toxicity at play here. I believe that the foliage die back you are seeing is because metal is a cold conductor. The foliage touching the cold is dying.
For more information on blackberry bushes, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
Do I plant blueberry bushes on the north or south side of the house? I live in south Alabama.
It shouldn't matter as long as they receive adequate sunlight, at least 5-6 hours, and suitable soil. For additional information on growing blueberries, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/growing-blueberry.htm
The leaves on my blueberry plants are turning brown and dying. They start from the tip of the leaf and gradually die back. I've been watering every week sometimes twice a week. They are in containers. I live in north-central Texas and it has been unusually hot here for this time of year, over 100 degrees. I have been using azalea plant food on them about once every two weeks. What am I doing wrong? Any help would be appreciated.
Most likely, it is a watering issue. In heat like that, you will want to water twice a day rather than once or twice weekly, and water the pot for several minutes to make sure it is thoroughly soaked. Plants in containers must be watered daily, even twice a day if temperatures rise above 85 F.
I have a blueberry plant which I brought from France 18 months ago. It had been grown in a pot. This year I put directly in the garden and it has grown to about twice its size but no blossoms. Is this normal or have I stressed it too much?
It is likely a lack of phosphorous. Blueberries are heavy phosphorous feeders and a lack of phosphorous will keep a plant from blooming and fruiting. Add some bone meal to the soil to add phosphorous and this should help.
First, I don't know the gardening zone as the question pertains to my mother's place in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Second, for decades, my dad raised 5 blueberry bushes which produced incredibly large amounts of great blueberries. He passed away four years ago and my brother and I, along with my 91 year old mom, maintain the bushes. Throughout the time we've had the bushes, we have covered them during the peak season so that birds wouldn't eat them. It's becoming a huge job. I have started to wonder: In that farmers raise blueberries and don't cover them, is it really necessary to do so? How much of a loss of produce will there be without covering the bushes? They're almost ripening, so it's time to do this onerous task. I'd appreciate an answer ASAP! Thanks very much!
Most people don't cover them unless the birds are already a problem. For additional help with birds, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/protect-fruit-tree-birds.htm
My blueberry plant (Powder Blue) had small white leaves with green veins. Added iron 3 weeks ago and the leaves are now yellow with a little more green. Most of the leaves have fallen off and I noticed yesterday some leaves are getting a red tint to them. Added some Azalea plant food (magnesium?) What can I do for this poor plant? Pull the plug?
Is this a new planting? It sounds like the plant may have gone into shock. I would increase water and give it a dose of some weak sugar water. As a precaution, treat the plant with a fungicide as this can also cause these symptoms. The azalea food was a good choice as it can also be caused by a pH issue in the soil or low magnesium.
My blueberry plants did not flower at all this spring, after being fairly productive for the last 4 years. Our weather was not much different from last year, and I weeded pretty well in early spring. Do blueberry plants typically have a "resting" year?
It is likely a lack of phosphorous. Blueberries are heavy phosphorous feeders and a lack of phosphorous will keep a plant from blooming and fruiting. Add some bone meal to the soil to add phosphorous and this should help.