http://web1.msue.msu.edu/vanburen/e-2011.htm
Try this link. You might be giving them too
much water. The ph should be 4.5, They love
nitrogen.
Jim

Thanks Jim,

I saw that link from one of your older responses and tried it. That's sort of where I got the idea that maybe they were short on nitrogen. I'm still not quite sure why they are unhappy, but now I think maybe the soil got too acidic. I tested before adding sulfer and it was right around the 6.9 - 7.1 area on my cheap little probe tester, and nutrient level was considered "low ideal." So I added the amount of sulfur suggested on the bag to bring the pH to btw 4.5 and 5.0. I tested again about a month later right before I planted, and it still seemed a little high - around 6.0 - 6.2, so I planted with the acidic plant fertilizer, and mulched with pine, and figured it would drop over time, I wasn't expecting berries the first year or two anyway. My original plan was to ammend once at planting, and maintain with pine mulch and proper fertilizer. I didn't expect it to drop that quickly, I thought it would take time for the pine to break down and acidify. I just tested with my cheap electric probe tester today, and it seems to think the pH is now between 2.7 - 2.9, which is definitely much lower than I was aiming. It also now has the needle pinned to "too much" for nutrients - but I don't know the specific break down of nutrients. I suppose it could still be heat or water, but probably has something to do with over nutrient and too acidic. I'm not sure if I should try lime now, or if I'll rebound too far to alkaline. I can't find any information on what happens to blueberries if they are in soil that is too acidic. It may be time for me to get a more specific soil test done or send the leaves out for analysis. I just hadn't planned on starting a semi-professional orchard with perfect soil and maximum plant production. I just figured we'd plop in a few blueberry bushes and that would be it. Maybe I should just wait a couple years and see if they are still alive and start producing berries.

It is difficult to succeed with blueberries if your tap water contains dissolved calcium and/or magnesium. If you have hard water, it is very likely that you will end up irrigating the blueberries during a dry spell, and this will raise the pH of the soil. Blueberry roots do not take up essential nutrients from the soil, if the pH is much above 6. Soil sulfur is used to lower the pH, but the process takes time, because soil microbes must break down the sulfur. It can take 2 or 3 years for an application of soil sulfur to be dissolved. Our tap water is hard, it tests at 350mg/liter, or 20 grains per gallon. I have been adding white vinegar to each pail whenever I am forced to irrigate with tap water. This works OK, some of our shrubs are 12 years old. I don't think that blueberry shrubs require rich soil, heavy in nutrient, to remain green and healthy. However, to get the fastest growth and the most fruit possible, the use of fertilizer is recommended.

Thanks. I'm pretty sure high pH is not my problem. So far I've mostly watered with water from my dehumidifiers, not much tap water. Also, I ammended the soil, following the directions for the present pH, about a month before I planted. It was still a little high when I planted, but I used fertilizer for acid loving plants, and mulched with pine bark mulch. It seems the pH then dropped rapidly, and when I tested the other day was now between 2.5 and 3.0. I have found lots of information on the effect of high pH or not enough acid for blueberries, but I can't find a thing on "too acidic." I appreciate the assistance, but since I can't figure out exactly what's going on - I'm going to go on the wait and see plan. Either I'll have bushes growing berries in the next 2-3 years or I won't.

ericwi, how do you mix vinegar with water? Being in SoCal I have to 100% rely on the hard tap water. thanks.

Ericwi - I'd like to know that too.

smlechten - I live in Kirkwood, MO and just planted blueberries too this year. They are having the same reaction but I figure wait a year to see if they thrive or not. Mine are northern varieties too. I keep mulching mine with peat moss.

When I have to water our blueberry shrubs with tap water, I fill a standard 5 gallon bucket to the 4 gallon level, and add 6 fluid ounces of standard white vinegar from the grocery store. It goes into solution instantly, and can be applied immediately. I used a pH meter to verify the quantity of vinegar appropriate for our tap water.