Can anyone tell me why my blueberries fail to thrive (or even grow)? Symptoms are as follows: yellowish leaves, reddish brown spots, no new growth (same 20 leaves as two months ago). I've applied Miracid regularly and tried fungicide for the spots. I'm wondering if since there is no or little new growth, maybe the problem lies with the soil/roots. I need some help before I get ready to try some new plants. Thanks.

-- glynnis (gabbycab@msn.com), July 13, 2000

Answers

The yellow sounds like they need iron, try ironite (sp?). The spots sound like disease or bugs. take a leaf with the spots into a nursery, they can tell you whats up. You might search over the plant to see if there are any bugs, bug droppings or eggs. GL

-- tina shrout (clia88@newmexico.com), July 13, 2000.

Blueberries like really acid soil. Around here (Pac. NW) that's not a problem but I know it is some other places. I think they need a lot of light, too. My problem this year was sheep chewing on the bushes (even though I thought I had them protected well enough.) I can commiserate with you on a small crop this year, though!!!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), July 13, 2000.

What kind of blueberries, Northern highbush, southern highbush, rabbiteye? Rabbiteye blueberries are fertilizer sensitive and nitrate sensitive.

-- R Arnold (ArnoldBB@webtv.net), July 14, 2000.

My first thought is an acid problem. If they're planted in the ground, you have to keep adding acid at tremondous rates since it leaches away and earthworms churn the acidified areas with the neighboring alkaline areas. Here, I can only grow blueberries in pots so I can keep them acid enough. But too much of a hassle to carry them through the winter that way. The yellow leaves can also mean chlorosis, espcially iron chlorosis (lack of iron).

But it sounds like you've also got some sort of fungus which is darn hard to treat. At this point pruning and cleaning aren't going to do you any good since the plants are already in such tough shape. You might try a home-made fungus spray-one part urine mixed with anywhere from 4-10 parts water. Then there are all the bacterial diseases.

Your plants sound so sad that I'd rip them out and dispose of them in the garbage, not by burning or composting. Fallow the ground, or plant a totally different crop in the spot. Talk to your county extension agent, someone growing blueberries in your immediate area, or contact your land grant college. Ask what variety of blueberry does best in your area, which particular strain(s) of that variety are the best for you. Also find out your soil ph (I'd splurge for a send-away test rather than a home test if I had my heart set on blueberries). Make sure you buy your new plants from a reputable grower. No point bringing in more problems. Don't plant them back into the same area. See if you can locate oak by-products for soil amendments and mulching. That will help naturally acidify your soil. Good luck, Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), July 14, 2000.

Thanks everyone, for your advice. Gerbil, I'd already decided to do exactly what you said, rip 'em out and start over somewhere else. I'll just let my raspberries spread to their hearts' content, and nothing seems to affect them. I"ve already got a spot in mind and I'll get a soil test done now so I'll be ready for a fall planting. Glynnis

-- glynnis Ballou (gabbycab@msn.com), July 15, 2000.