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Fruit & Orchards

What is wrong with my blackberries?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

So this year I decided I would try growing blackberries. I planted them a couple weeks ago and since then the leaves have begun to turn purple. First around the edges and then the whole leaf. So is it a disease or a nutrient deficiency maybe? I ordered a test kit to check ph, N, P, and K.

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Comments (8)

jtburton
8 years ago
How moist is the soil where you planted this one? Some purple is normal when the temperature change but this one looks like it might heading in the wrong direction.
Matt W
Original Author
8 years ago
Not sure, they are planted in an area with a slight slope so I think drainage is pretty good. I am getting a moister reader so I will know more when that comes.
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jtburton
8 years ago
Blackberry plants are usually pretty tolerant of most conditions. Overly wet soil is usually a common issue. You may want to use a pH meter to check the soil acidity. They are usually OK between 6-7 pH.
Ike Stewart
8 years ago
What variety are they, and what climate zone are you in? Also what is that in the background wood chip mulch? Is there any chance the ground or mulch was contaminated with herbicide?
drew51 SE MI Z5b/6a
8 years ago
If the plant needed to be hardened off, that could cause the damage too, if placed directly in full sun.
Kevin Reilly
8 years ago
I've found at times that when you buy small potted plants that may have been grown in a greenhouse the original leaves don't do well on transplant. When the new leaves grow in they are already adjusted to the climate and are usually fine.
PRO
The Logician LLC
8 years ago
Yes, two weeks after transplant is too soon for major concern. The photos of individual leaves does not show us the overall health and size of the plant.
Are these new growth leaves or older mature leaves from earlier?
Matt W
Original Author
8 years ago
The variety is Prime-Ark Freedom. I am in zone 5B. I don't believe the wood chips were contaminated but I did end up brushing them back and replacing them with some straw just in case. However, the question about herbicide did remind me that a lawn care service did spray a day or two after I planted the blackberries. (This is at my mom's house and I didn't know she still had someone spraying). Hopefully they kept a safe distance but I have no way of knowing.

The leaves are old growth from before it was planted outside.

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