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Fruit & Orchards

Blueberry leaves turning red in early spring??

7 years ago

Hi, can I get some pointers. I have about 60 blueberry plants in pots and raised beds. They did flower and now there's new shoots growing. However, the shoots turn redish color. I did pertilize them in the first day of spring and the pH seems to be fine. I don't know what else to do... Any help would be appreciated

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Sal73-Ireland

7 years ago

Mine are like that too, if the ph is were it should be this due to the temperatures being still too low, especially at night time.

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Comments (13)

Ray Jeff
Original Author
7 years ago
*fertilize*
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That's a good point, Ed -- the leaves are definitely a bit pale. All of my blueberries receive a light dose of MirAcid at every watering, though, so it really shouldn't be short on available nitrogen. Instead, I suspect that the pale foliage is a further symptom of whatever's prompting the color change. At the rate the leaves are turning and dropping, it won't have any leaves left in a week or two. By comparison, none of my other blueberries show symptoms that are even remotely similar -- they're all continuing to push out new growth like they should be. This guy, on the other hand, is just shutting down. An aside for Ed -- Since it's lighter on N than most other CRFs, I've been meaning to ask you how much Shake'n Feed you incorporate per gallon for your blueberries. Also, do you apply it more than once in the growing season? I'm currently trying it out on two small rabbiteyes, and so far they're doing very well. Since I potted them up late in the season, I went with a light dose, but I'm probably going to try it out on some plants next year, as well.
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Ray Jeff
Original Author
7 years ago
What's your temperature like. I'm in seattle
Sal73-Ireland
7 years ago
Between 10&15 C daytime , as low as 2 at night.
Ray Jeff thanked Sal73-Ireland
Ray Jeff
Original Author
7 years ago
7 C at night 15 during the day here. Would you think that's still cold? I ordered some ammonium salfate. Would it be too much to feed them with even though I already fertilize them With Dr earth for acid plants? Or maybe some fresh coffee ground?
Sal73-Ireland
7 years ago
i reckon is still cool enough at night and probaly the soil temperature is less than 7C anyway. Ammonium sulphate is great to push on growth, however be careful with it, I ve killed many plants for overdoing it. I use coffee grounds as part of the growing media and mixed with bark to mulch the beds too, it adds organic matter and slow realise fertiliser which my plants seem to respond well to it. Just keep in mind that coffee grounds is not acidic though as many erroneously believe. I think you doing very well with your plants, and as soon the temperature rises they will green up and do great for you.
Ray Jeff
Original Author
7 years ago
That's good to hear. These blueberries has been a nightmare for me. Lol.
TheDerek
7 years ago
blueberries are a bit of a nightmare if your soil isnt just right. I dug all mine out of the buried containers this spring and am trying them in fabric pots above ground. Should be easier to control the PH Im hoping. If they dont do great this summer, they are going in the garbage!
Otto Gsell, Upstate SC 7b
7 years ago
You might have burned the roots with something you added into the soil like fertilizer or something like that. Check with fruitnut or one of the other guys on here.. You should not be having problems with your blues if your ph is proper and if they get average watering by you.

-Otto gsell
Ray Jeff
Original Author
7 years ago
How do I get a hold of fruitnut? I just a few pics to the garden hotline and they told me it's normal but we'll see. If these berries don't make it, I think I'll give up on blueberries and move onto some other hobby lol or maybe goose berries... Easier
Otto Gsell, Upstate SC 7b
7 years ago
They should make it Ray . And I'm not sure why they look like that and I DONT think its normal but it might be lol . Idk how to get a hold of FN but you can try to pm him somehow or look to see if he's commenting on a post then hit him up. There's a lot of dudes on here that can help you but I'm not qualified. In the future whenever you fertilize do it the day after you water them so the roots are already wet and try only half dose of fertilizer and be sure to use a proper fertilizer for acid loving plants.. And again, they should be fine buddy. Ttyl
Otto Gsell, Upstate SC 7b
7 years ago
Oh I forgot to mention if those brown leaves are last years leaves.. Then that is very normal looking.. But if it's new leaves.. No
Ray Jeff
Original Author
7 years ago
Lol. Thanks man. I spent way too much time and effort. These plants give me nightmares.

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