You had asked us about a rust or fungal issue on your BBs not long ago - yes?

What are you using for a soil for the other plant? Did you make it - how long ago? Did you add lime? Are you fertilizing - with what?

Al

Hi Al,
Yes, the bb with the slimy petals is the same one with the rust fungus. That soil was made last October from Azalea potting mix.

The bb plant with the leaf curl was made with pine bark, peat moss, and perlite (made this Jan). I added did not add lime, but sulfur instead to make the soil acidic. Was I not supposed to?

Fertilizing every 2 months with a bit of time release citrus food.
-Jenny

Hi, Jen - I asked if you added lime because it looks very much like a Ca deficiency. Unless the S was extremely fine 200 mesh or smaller, you might as well consider it insoluble as it will have no measurable effect on pH in container media.

I don't know where to start to explain on this one, so I'll just say that even for acid loving plants, media pH isn't that important in container culture. As long as the media solution pH is reasonable and the nutrients are in the solution, plants will assimilate them.

It's also possible you're dealing with the effects of micro-nutrient toxicities because of the low pH. Let's see if we can get this worked out. ;o)

Is your citrus food an organic soil amendment or a soluble fertilizer? Does it contain Mg? Ca?

Al

Hi Al,
I feel like I should have paid better attention in science class here! Here we go:

- Vigoro Citrus fertilizer: 12-5-8, continuous feeding for 3 months. Water soluble Mg 1%. Combined sulfur 8.5%. There appears to be no Ca. This was used when potting up the Misty (curled leaf), and afterwards on top of the already potted Sunshine Blue (slimy flower).

- Espoma Soil Acidifier: 30% sulfur, consisting of 18% free sulfur and 12% combined sulfur. derived from elemental sulfur and gypsum. This was used when potting up the Misty with the curled leaf, and afterwards on top of the already potted Sunshine Blue with the slimy flower. This came in tiny little round balls, and when i put it on the dirt and water it, the next day the balls disappear. Does that mean it is soluble and effective?

What do you think is causing the slimy flowers?

The Ca deficiency you're talking about, is that for the curled leaves?

Thanks!
Jenny

Hi, Jen. It's very confusing, so I won't pretend I know what's wrong specifically, but I don't think you needed all that soil acidifier. Toss in the idea that you asked about rust or a fungal issue on the BBs before, and I have to say I don't know what's going on - there are lots of possibilities, like toxicity issues because of low pH, or even antagonistic deficiencies of some elements.

Is there a chance we can repot and get back to basics?

Al

Hi Al,
I am ok with repoting, but for both plants? I'm thinking the slimy flower one is some sort of virus/bacteria.

If you think the curling leaves is a result of too low of a ph, i can repot. Maybe pine bark, peat moss, and perlite. This time no added sulfur.

-jen

I don't know what to tell you about the BBs. It might be best to abandon them if you're reasonably sure they are that badly affected by some sort of pathogen.

Usually, I can get some sort of handle on a likely source of trouble, but with the multiple issues potentially affecting your planting(s) I think it is better to go back to the drawing board than to try to work with what you have.

Al

Relax, Jen. Sunshine Blue blueberry is an unique cultivar bred to be semi-dwarf and self pollinating plus it is evergreen in warm climates. But even evergreens shed a few leaves in spring and your leaves look just like mine, some black spots indicating age which will soon drop off. I see new growth on your plants, both leaves and blossoms. This blueberry will grow in Zones 5-9 in acid soil and will also tolerate a higher pH. I am not certain if it will do well in your Zone 10. Sit tight. I suspect it may grow out of its problems. It is not a demanding blueberry. Mine grow happily in the ground in pure sand with no amendments. So, back off, give it a chance and as Al says, dump it if it proves to be a problem.