Blueberry bushes dying - Ask Extension
Hello,
We recently purchased 3 blueberry bushes from a local nursery (sunshine blue/vaccinium corymbosum). One of them died within less than a mon...
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Blueberry bushes dying #870829
Asked May 30, 2024, 5:17 PM EDT
Hello,
We recently purchased 3 blueberry bushes from a local nursery (sunshine blue/vaccinium corymbosum). One of them died within less than a month of purchase. We noticed wilting, lightening, and drying of the leaves followed by the leaves turning a copper color and the stems turning black. This progression seemed to happen within days of when we first noticed it the wilting. We had several days of rain when first planted (this was late April/early May). We now are seeing the same thing in another one of them and are wondering if there is anything we can do to save it? The three bushes were planted in a row and the one in the middle seems to be doing ok. I’ve attached some photos. Thanks!
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Looks like you purchased some large (and likely expensive) plants. The images show me some dark branches that dieback close to the ground. Leaves are tan on these branches but with some marginal darkening as well. Most flowers seem to have collapsed as well even on good looking branches but the necrosis does not go beyond the peduncle.
My guess is transplant shock. Going from the growing nursery to your landscape there may have been some root loss. Removing some top growth and even all the flowers would have been recommended depending on how many roots were present. If this is the problem then they should recover as the summer goes on given good care.
What is the pH of the soil? Should be on the acidic side.
Outside change this could be root rot where there was too much water for too long near the roots. I would hope the planting bed has good drainage, but if not, then that needs correction. You can read about that problem here: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/blueberry-vaccinium-corymbosum-root-rot
My guess is transplant shock. Going from the growing nursery to your landscape there may have been some root loss. Removing some top growth and even all the flowers would have been recommended depending on how many roots were present. If this is the problem then they should recover as the summer goes on given good care.
What is the pH of the soil? Should be on the acidic side.
Outside change this could be root rot where there was too much water for too long near the roots. I would hope the planting bed has good drainage, but if not, then that needs correction. You can read about that problem here: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/blueberry-vaccinium-corymbosum-root-rot
