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Bluberry issues #879632

Asked July 31, 2024, 3:49 PM EDT

Our Rubel bluberries are starting to ripen. I'm noticing that most berries that have ripened so far (not to many) have one side with a brown spot or deformed indentation. When I cut the berry open or eat one, that spot is brown, hard inside, and Obviously doesn't taste great. Some kind of disease obviously but which and what to do at this point? I did not notice sign for diseases on foliage. Very little spots or damage on the leaves. These plants were 20+ years old from a Bluberry farm and I acquired them last year in August. This will be our first harvest. The bushes are absolutely loaded.

Columbia County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello Jessica,

Thank you for attaching the photos of the blueberries.  It would be helpful to me if you would also send a couple of close ups of the leaves.  

It is possible a fungus that has overwintered on the surface of the stems is the problem but I need to see more of the plant to make a determination.  Also, what area is the blueberry farm in that you got the plants from?

Thank you.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 03, 2024, 9:04 PM EDT
After further investigation, I've found worms in some of the deformed berries. So I'm assuming now that it's bluberry maggot. Majority of the foliage looks good. I do have e a few spotted leaves here and there but I've now pulled back on our watering. I'm actually in Washington not Oregon, but the bluberry farm in darrington that I got these from said you guys are the best source of information. She's sent samples from her farm to gmyou guys years back. Attached are a few photos of my pest and the leaves. 



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 8/3/24 6:04 PM (GMT-08:00)
To: Jessica sowell <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Bluberry issues (#0149550)

The Question Asker Replied August 04, 2024, 1:03 PM EDT

Good work on your further observations!  Thank you for sending the second set of photos, they helped confirm the problem.  You have an infestation of Cherry fruitworm which also attacks blueberries.  

Attached is information that will be helpful to you in the control of your fruitworm.https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/small-fruit/blueberry/blueberry-cherry-fruitworm

Thank you.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 05, 2024, 1:26 PM EDT

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