While it’s true that blueberries can be found in abundance in their natural habitats, cultivating them at home is often a more challenging endeavor than one might expect. Unlike many other types of berry bushes, which are relatively easy to care for, blueberries require a bit more finesse and attention to thrive. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common issues that can arise when growing blueberries, along with practical tips on how to overcome these obstacles.
What Problems Can You Encounter When Growing Blueberries?
When it comes to growing blueberries, many people are surprised by the level of attention they require. A range of factors can impact their health, including pathogens or pests, insufficient light, nutrients, and water. To successfully navigate any challenges, it’s essential to identify the root cause of the issue. By doing so, you’ll be able to determine the best course of action moving forward.
Before planting, take the time to research optimal cultivars for your growing zone and local climate. This will help ensure that you’re selecting disease-resistant varieties and providing the best possible soil conditions. While it’s natural to want a bountiful harvest every year, it’s important not to get discouraged if things don’t go as planned. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow for the next season.
For more advice on how to make your blueberries thrive, check out our comprehensive guide.
Failure to Thrive, No Flowers or Fruit
If you’re experiencing issues with your blueberry plants not growing or producing flowers and fruits, it’s likely due to a few common reasons. One possible cause is the soil they’re planted in. Blueberries require well-draining, loose soil rich in organic matter, as they are heavy feeders. Additionally, they thrive in acidic soil with a pH level between 4.5-4.9. If the soil doesn’t meet these conditions, the plants may not flower or fruit at all.
To address this issue, test the soil’s pH level and make necessary amendments. You can temporarily remove the plants to work in sulfur, coffee grounds, or peat moss to increase acidity. If the soil is too sandy or depleted, incorporate well-aged compost into it. Blueberries also benefit from worm castings, making a vermicomposting system ideal for regular feeding. Compost tea drinks can also provide essential nutrients.
Leggy Plants, No Flowers or Fruit
When it comes to growing plants that require full sun, like berry bushes, it’s crucial they receive several hours of direct sunlight daily. Without sufficient sunlight, growth is stunted and flowering or fruiting becomes unlikely. Many people assume their land provides a consistent level of light, but this assumption can be misleading. Observing your property for a year before planting allows you to identify changes in lightfall from season to season.
A spot that’s bathed in sunshine in January might be completely shaded by June due to the growth of nearby trees. To ensure optimal growing conditions, consider planting berry bushes in containers. This allows you to move them around as needed to take advantage of the sunniest spots on your property.
Stunted Plants, Dying Foliage
To ensure healthy blueberry plants, it’s crucial to maintain consistent moisture levels throughout the growing season. Inconsistent watering can cause stress, leading to a lack of flowering and fruiting. Regularly testing the soil will help you avoid drying out, especially during periods of hot weather. Implement an irrigation system that waters at the soil level to keep roots consistently moist. On the other hand, blueberries don’t thrive in waterlogged conditions either.
Well-draining soil is essential to prevent root rot from overly wet earth. By preparing the soil well before planting, you’ll create a healthy environment for your blueberry plants.
Blistered, Red, and Falling Leaves
When leaves turn red during the growing season, it’s often a sign of trouble. While a reddish hue is expected in autumn as roots absorb nutrients, it shouldn’t occur during spring or summer. In fact, blueberry leaf scorch – caused by the bacterial virus Xylella fastidiosa and transmitted by aphids – can result in leaves appearing burnt. This issue not only affects blueberries but also cranberries and Saskatoon berries.
Unlike autumn’s gradual color change, leaves affected by blueberry leaf scorch blister, redden, brown, and fall off. The good news is that this is a slow-developing problem that can be treated effectively. To address the issue, remove any infected plants and dispose of them properly. Then, introduce certified virus-free cultivars such as ‘Olympia’, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Ivanhoe’, ‘Concord’, ‘Reka’, ‘Puru’, ‘Nelson’, or ‘Bluetta’.
Once you’ve taken this step, focus on maintaining an aphid-free garden to prevent re-infestation.
Flower and Leaf Death Before Recovering
The Blueberry shock virus (BlShV) is spread through infected pollen carried by pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other flying insects. This issue plagues blueberry growers throughout the Pacific Northwest, affecting areas from southern Oregon to British Columbia and southern Alaska.
The symptoms of BlShV are strikingly similar to those of blueberry leaf scorch, but with one key difference: affected plants often recover and produce a second foliar flush later in the season, potentially even bearing fruit. Interestingly, while there is no definitive ‘cure’ for the virus, most plants will naturally develop immunity after exhibiting symptoms for a few consecutive years.
Brown Blotches On Stems and Leaves
Stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Fusicoccum putrefaciens, begins as brown blotches on blueberry plants’ stems that can spread to attack the leaves as well. The blotches may eventually turn grey. Unfortunately, traditional fungicides are not effective in treating this disease. Instead, a broad-spectrum anti-fungal treatment is recommended. In addition to treatment, rigorous pruning and careful disposal of pruned material are crucial steps in managing stem canker.
To prevent the spread of the fungus, ensure that your garden shears are sterilized and use them to prune your bushes six inches below any visible discolorations. Burn or thoroughly disinfect any pruned material to prevent re-infection. While these measures may not eradicate the disease entirely, they can help minimize its impact. In the long run, selecting disease-resistant cultivars when possible is a key strategy for reducing the risk of stem canker in your blueberry plants.
Plants Aren’t Producing Berries
While it’s common for new growers to struggle with a single blueberry bush, understanding its unique characteristics can help address the issue. As monoecious plants, blueberries possess both male and female reproductive organs in their flowers, making them self-fertile. However, this doesn’t guarantee optimal health or fruiting. In fact, having nearby plants for cross-pollination significantly improves fruit quality, size, and overall yield.
This is because the abundance of pollen from other plants enables a more diverse gene pool, leading to healthier offspring. Additionally, pruning branches at the end of the harvest season encourages new growth and increased fruit production in subsequent springs. For younger plants, it’s essential to recognize that they may take several years to mature and begin producing substantial yields.
With patience and proper care, these challenges can be overcome, ultimately yielding a bountiful blueberry harvest.
Berries Have a Grainy Texture or Sour Flavor
Blueberry bushes require consistent watering to produce juicy berries. Inconsistent hydration can cause grainy texture in the fruit. When plants are thirsty, they tend to develop dense, fibrous, and tasteless flesh instead of the desired sweet juiciness. To avoid this issue, ensure you’re providing your plants with a steady supply of water during their fruiting phase. On the other hand, sourness in blueberries is often a result of harvesting them before they’ve had a chance to fully ripen.
A ripe berry will be deeply pigmented, yield to gentle pressure, and come off the plant easily when pulled. By waiting for these signs, you’ll be able to enjoy sweet and succulent blueberries rather than sour ones.
Yellow Stippling on Leaves, Frequent Diseases
Aphids may not cause significant harm to plants themselves, but they can spread a multitude of diseases. In addition to the scorch and shock viruses mentioned earlier, they can also carry several other pathogens. To minimize the impact of aphids on your garden, maintain a well-manicured lawn surrounding your bushes and actively promote ladybug habitats to help keep aphid populations under control.
Holes In or Missing Leaves
When cultivating blueberries, two common yet pesky insects can wreak havoc: Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) and flea beetles from the Chrysomelidae family. These pests can decimate your plants by devouring leaf foliage, often starting with small holes that rapidly expand to skeletonize entire bushes in a matter of days. To mitigate this issue, consider employing row covers to deter most unwanted visitors. Any stray insects can be effectively repelled using insecticidal soap and neem oil.
Holes in Berries
The pesky Blueberry maggots (Rhagoletis mendax) are fly larvae that wreak havoc on blueberries by feeding voraciously on them, creating large holes that render the fruit inedible. The problem worsens when smaller maggots burrow inside the berries, potentially leading to an unpleasant surprise if you take a bite. Fortunately, floating row covers and neem oil can be effective deterrents against these unwanted pests.
Missing Berries
It’s not uncommon for gardeners to find themselves frantically chasing after pesky animals that have ravaged their berry bushes, leaving them bereft of their prized blueberries. The frustration is palpable when those same birds and squirrels strip your bushes bare in a matter of minutes. However, there are effective ways to deter these critters from feasting on your fruit. For instance, row covers and bird netting can prove an excellent barrier against feathered thieves.
Squirrels and other small animals may require a bit more cunning. One approach is to enclose the berry bushes with fine-gauge steel mesh, while another is to strategically scatter predator feces around the area, effectively scaring them away.
Leaf Drop
When it comes to growing blueberries, it’s crucial to consider external factors that can impact their health. Inclement weather events, such as hailstorms or heavy rainfall, can cause significant damage to the plants. For instance, my own experience with a freak July hailstorm resulted in the loss of leaves on my blueberry bushes. Similarly, prolonged periods of heavy rain can lead to fruit splitting or nutrient washout from the soil.
Moreover, even if you take precautions like wrapping your bushes in burlap and applying mulch for winter protection, there’s still a risk of animal damage. Small rodents, such as mice, may burrow into the soil and nest among the roots, causing unwanted stress to the plants.
