Blueberry leaves turning Burgundy - Ask Extension
Hello, can you tell me what's happening to my plants and is there anything i can do to fix them?
Knowledgebase
Blueberry leaves turning Burgundy #869862
Asked May 23, 2024, 11:30 PM EDT
Hello, can you tell me what's happening to my plants and is there anything i can do to fix them?
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear rntcorwin,
Leaf spot on blueberries can be caused by a few different types of fungus. This may be Septoria. This usually occurs during wet periods. The spores overwinter on the leaves and the water and warmer weather give them a great place to breed. These infections usually show up in early spring.
The main things to do are remove the damaged leaves and put in the garbage including leaves on the ground, open up the center of the bush by cutting a few canes outs for better airflow. Cut out broken or dead canes, down to the ground. Remove and bag, then put all of it in the trash.
Be sure to clean your clippers with hydrogen peroxide so you do not transfer the disease.
The stress of the winter cold and warming temperatures has stressed a lot of plants. Blueberries like consistent moisture (when it is not raining), a very acidic soil around 4.5-5.5 pH and use sawdust as a mulch.
Check as new foliage starts to emerge. It should be free of the leaf spot. Using fungicides and good hygienic practices can reduce the movement of the disease.
An organic fungicide that you can use is sulfur or lime/sulfur. Follow the directions and if you use a concentrate remember that more is not better. Overuse can kill plants.
The plants will have pollinators around them now and the fungicide can kill them. If you have only one bush, you might cover the flowers, or spray in small amounts hitting just the leaves. Spray in early morning or late at night when the pollinators are not on the bushes. Getting the spray inside the blossoms can harm insects.
I am attaching a link to growing blueberries by Oregon State for your review: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1304-growing-blueberries-your-home-garden
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
Leaf spot on blueberries can be caused by a few different types of fungus. This may be Septoria. This usually occurs during wet periods. The spores overwinter on the leaves and the water and warmer weather give them a great place to breed. These infections usually show up in early spring.
The main things to do are remove the damaged leaves and put in the garbage including leaves on the ground, open up the center of the bush by cutting a few canes outs for better airflow. Cut out broken or dead canes, down to the ground. Remove and bag, then put all of it in the trash.
Be sure to clean your clippers with hydrogen peroxide so you do not transfer the disease.
The stress of the winter cold and warming temperatures has stressed a lot of plants. Blueberries like consistent moisture (when it is not raining), a very acidic soil around 4.5-5.5 pH and use sawdust as a mulch.
Check as new foliage starts to emerge. It should be free of the leaf spot. Using fungicides and good hygienic practices can reduce the movement of the disease.
An organic fungicide that you can use is sulfur or lime/sulfur. Follow the directions and if you use a concentrate remember that more is not better. Overuse can kill plants.
The plants will have pollinators around them now and the fungicide can kill them. If you have only one bush, you might cover the flowers, or spray in small amounts hitting just the leaves. Spray in early morning or late at night when the pollinators are not on the bushes. Getting the spray inside the blossoms can harm insects.
I am attaching a link to growing blueberries by Oregon State for your review: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1304-growing-blueberries-your-home-garden
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
