Non-fruiting blueberries - Ask Extension
This is the second year that the blueberry bushes in my front yard have not set fruit and the newer leaves look pale. I had the soil tested last year ...
Knowledgebase
Non-fruiting blueberries #571094
Asked June 17, 2019, 11:30 AM EDT
This is the second year that the blueberry bushes in my front yard have not set fruit and the newer leaves look pale. I had the soil tested last year as I suspected my neighbor's lawn fertilizer had affected them. The results were that the ph, the phosphorous an the potassium were good for blueberries but that the nitrogen was extremely low.
Normally I fertilize with one for acid loving plants and I mulch with evergreen clippings. They are also bordered by Russian Cypress. This spring I only fertilized with Blood Meal. Recently I added more blood meal as well as some time released 10-10-10 due to the leaf color.
I am not sure where to go from here. Is there a better fertilizer to try? I really want to stay organic.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello. I'm glad you've turned to AaEx.
When you had your soil tested, did you indicate that it was for growing blueberries? Most of Hennepin county soils are very alkaline and blueberries need acidic soil to produce fruit. Alkaline soils will also discolor the leaves on blueberries no matter how much nitrogen fertilizer that is added.
Your soil pH should be between 4.0 and 5.0. If the number on your soil test results is in that range, then there's something else going on. How long has it been since you added the blood meal and the timed release fertilizer? Maybe you need to wait a little longer to see the results.
Feel free to reply with more information. Good-luck!
I posted this previously but did not receive an answer:
to aae-notify
Hi,
Yes,
I specified blueberries. The ph was within range, sorry if I did not
mention that. The only issue they could find was very low nitrogen. I
applied blood meal this spring to no avail. In fact the bush next to
them that was okay last year has joined in on the high yield yellowed
leaves with no berries. My high bush berries 15' away are having a
bumper crop with the same treatment.
If is still not enough nitrogen I am not sure what to use besides lawn fertilizer.
Thanks,
Vicki
icki willett <<personal data hidden>>
Jun 22, 2019, 12:13 PM (6 days ago)
Since then the new leaves look extremely nutritionally deficient! Yellow with green veins.
Hello,
I would have another soil test done before adding any more supplements. Blood meal makes nitrogen available quickly. I'm wondering if it is too much nitrogen now. If that doesn't pan out, then you might send a sample stem to the U of MN Extension Plant Disease Clinic for a diagnosis. Here is a link to their web page where you'll learn about their services, prices and how to submit a sample.
Good-luck!
