Blueberry plant leaf disaster! Help?
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Posts: 2
Hi all,
I bought three blueberry plant cuttings this winter and planted them out about a month ago. a couple of weeks ago they began budding a beautiful healthy leaves appeared. All seemed well. They are planted in good ericaceous compost in large plastic pots with hole drainage on a south-facing balcony. I water them a couple of times a week, but never drenched.
On wednesday this week the lovely new leaves suddenly started to curl, pucker, bubble and develop brown markings on all the leaves. One plant has long dark lines on the leaves, another plant has generally browning leaves from the edges. But they all are affected. I am truly gutted.
My neighbouring mint plant recently had aphids, and so I sprayed them with soapy water as a precaution. I think I saw 1 aphid on the blueberries, but not a massive infestation.
I am really worried that they've developed some aphid-born virus, or root rot? I don't really know what is going on, but it's been three days now and still no healthier growth emerging and the existing leaves are all curling up on themselves and looking progressively more frail and worse for wear.
Can anyone help with a diagnosis and rescue plan? pictures below.
I bought three blueberry plant cuttings this winter and planted them out about a month ago. a couple of weeks ago they began budding a beautiful healthy leaves appeared. All seemed well. They are planted in good ericaceous compost in large plastic pots with hole drainage on a south-facing balcony. I water them a couple of times a week, but never drenched.
On wednesday this week the lovely new leaves suddenly started to curl, pucker, bubble and develop brown markings on all the leaves. One plant has long dark lines on the leaves, another plant has generally browning leaves from the edges. But they all are affected. I am truly gutted.
My neighbouring mint plant recently had aphids, and so I sprayed them with soapy water as a precaution. I think I saw 1 aphid on the blueberries, but not a massive infestation.
I am really worried that they've developed some aphid-born virus, or root rot? I don't really know what is going on, but it's been three days now and still no healthier growth emerging and the existing leaves are all curling up on themselves and looking progressively more frail and worse for wear.
Can anyone help with a diagnosis and rescue plan? pictures below.
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Posts
I've been growing blueberries in pots for 4 years and apart from getting a bit too dry in the summer now and then, I haven't had any other problems with them
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I was wondering that too, because the other week was very cold at night. But I didn't realise it could be that bad.
Would you recommend keeping them in shade ? bringing them indoors? Or is it just something they have to grow out of? At the moment they are in direct sunlight for much of the day.
David
As Bob says above, most important not to let them dry out and to use rain water unless your tap water is very soft.
I feed mine once a month during the growing season with feed for azaleas.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.