it's harvest time for my berries, I don't want to cut out green berries or allow new infections to occur.When do I trim for blight?
This really depends on the type of blight, but usually, as soon as you notice it! Just be sure to dispose of all material away from the plant.
Treating with a fungicide can help some types of infection, but not always.
These articles will offer more information:
Hello, We have a few blueberry bushes and they don't look well. We tried to diagnose the problem ourselves but we're confused. One plant had red vein, another had green vein but red in-between veins and finally another one with brown edges that's drying up. This has been happening this entire year. We're wondering if there's a single kind of nutrients deficiency that could explain it all or is each blueberry plant having a different deficiency? Thanks for your help. Linda
I would, first, check the pH and soil nutrient levels. Blueberries like it a little on the acidic side. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
If the soil remains moist, consistently, this could be an issue as well. There needs to be a little time to dry out between watering. You can check with your finger, down to a few inches, or a meter.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
This collection of articles will help with the care of blueberries:
I have a pair of one year old "Duke-type" blueberry plants. How to prune in fall?
You don't need to prune for winter. The best time to prune is in late winter while the bush is dormant. However, you can remove dead, diseased, or broken wood at any time. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/blueberry-plant-pruning.html
https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/pruningblueberries.html
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/principles-of-pruning-the-highbush-blueberry
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/varieties-of-blueberry.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/care-of-blueberries-in-winter.htm
I live in Reno NV and the temps are too high during the summer. So I'm thinking of using shade cloth 30% to protect them from the heat of the day. I read somewhere that different colors of shade cloth can effect the growth and health of the bush.
I couldn't find much research on colored shade cloths and blueberries, but this may help:
https://www.coverplas.com/assets/files/Use%20of%20Colored%20Shade%20Netting%20in%20Horticulture.pdf
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/shade-cover-tips.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/growing-blueberry.htm
My blueberry bush has been not doing so well for a while. I have tried a few things, like fungicide, watering it less, and adding plant food stake things that get inserted into the ground and deteriorate to feed the plant. Nothing seems to be working. I don't know what to do from here. I have enclosed a picture of the blueberry bush.
I would make sure to check the pH of the soil. Blueberries will appreciate an acidic soil, and will not tolerate what looks like neutral to alkaline red clay.
As well, blueberries are a cold weather species. Even in Tennessee, in my area, blueberries can be difficult due to the heat. You may want to consider partial shade in the afternoon.
Testing your soil will be necessary.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
This search page contains several articles that can help you with the care of blueberries:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/search?searchTerm=%22blueberries%22
Hello all, We are in zone-6b Have a high-bush blueberry that was full of ripening fruit and overnite just dropped all its berries and leaves all fell off within 2 days.???!! This is a first for me. This plant is now several years old. Soil is good, watering is good. no pesticides applied anywhere around the area. No signs of insects on any of the bushes either. I have 3 other bushes within 5' that are all doing great. Berries are ripe and harvesting. No signs of distress from those bushes at all. The stems on bush in question seem to have gone brown/red'ish (see picture attached for reference). Not sure what would cause such a drastic change for the worse with just one plant. Please advise if any thoughts. Thanks in advance,
This is a difficult one. First, I would look towards root damage. There could be a pest whose nest is nearby. They could have caused root damage.
If it is sitting in a lower lying area than the rest, then you may want to test for diseases. Some cultivars have just enough variation to have less of an immune system than others. If this is the case then it might have not made it because of this.
Really, to get a good idea of what is actually going on, you may want to take samples to your nearest horticultural extension service.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htm
The berries are tiny right now (end of July), how to make them grow bigger, and when to harvest Thank you.
Make sure your soil has the proper pH (between 4 and 5). If you only have one plant, adding a second and even a third bush will increase the berry size and amount of berries. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/tips-on-harvesting-blueberries.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/blueberry-fertilizer.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/lower-soil-ph-blueberries.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/blueberry-plant-pruning.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blueberries/growing-blueberry.htm