What’s happening to my blueberry bushes? - Ask Extension
We have 6 blueberry bushes - 3 of them have gone from having healthy berries to being shriveled with discolored leaves. The last time I picked them, ...
Knowledgebase
What’s happening to my blueberry bushes? #879068
Asked July 27, 2024, 8:57 PM EDT
We have 6 blueberry bushes - 3 of them have gone from having healthy berries to being shriveled with discolored leaves. The last time I picked them, approx 5 days ago, I didn’t notice this
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Marcia,
Thank you for the pictures, this really helps. In looking at the berries none of them look diseased. They are shriveling possibly due to lack of water.
The leaves being yellow and brown could be a lack of nitrogen. However, nitrogen deficiency is usually seen in the lower leaves first , not spotted around the limbs.
However, my first thought is lack of consistent watering. Are all the bushes affected in the same row or close to one another? Could it be that they are not getting enough water or as much as the other bushes?
Consistency in hot weather is key to getting ripe, full sized berries. The berries are mostly water and the plant itself is has roots right at the surface so water is very important and evaporation can occur quickly without mulching or consistent watering.
If you have not done so, a drip line or soaker hose may be an option. This will put the water at the soil level, not evaporating with an overhead sprinkler. Also, mulch around each bush with organic matter, leaves, straw, wood shavings, sawdust is usually used as a mulch for blueberries.
Do you add sulfur annually. Blueberries need an acidic soil pH of about 4.5 to 5.0.
I am adding a publication on growing blueberries from OSU for your review. they have a picture of shriveled blueberries due to lack of water: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1304-growing-blueberries-your-home-garden
If you have any further questions, please contact us again.
Thank you for the pictures, this really helps. In looking at the berries none of them look diseased. They are shriveling possibly due to lack of water.
The leaves being yellow and brown could be a lack of nitrogen. However, nitrogen deficiency is usually seen in the lower leaves first , not spotted around the limbs.
However, my first thought is lack of consistent watering. Are all the bushes affected in the same row or close to one another? Could it be that they are not getting enough water or as much as the other bushes?
Consistency in hot weather is key to getting ripe, full sized berries. The berries are mostly water and the plant itself is has roots right at the surface so water is very important and evaporation can occur quickly without mulching or consistent watering.
If you have not done so, a drip line or soaker hose may be an option. This will put the water at the soil level, not evaporating with an overhead sprinkler. Also, mulch around each bush with organic matter, leaves, straw, wood shavings, sawdust is usually used as a mulch for blueberries.
Do you add sulfur annually. Blueberries need an acidic soil pH of about 4.5 to 5.0.
I am adding a publication on growing blueberries from OSU for your review. they have a picture of shriveled blueberries due to lack of water: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1304-growing-blueberries-your-home-garden
If you have any further questions, please contact us again.
