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Shriveled ripened berries #751961
Asked May 25, 2021, 7:40 AM EDT
Harford County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- the photo shows new, healthy green fruit and flower parts that have naturally dried and turned brown. Some injury to developing fruits could have been caused by low temperatures before, during, or after bloom.
Gray mold is a fungal disease that can kill flowers and small fruits and is usually seen during extended wet, cloudy periods. Mummy berry is a disease that can cause fruit to dry up and rot but you would also see some shoot browning and dieback prior to the fruit symptoms.
Feel free to send additional photos showing injury to leaves, shoots, or fruits.
General information about blueberry care:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/selecting-varieties-planting-and-growing-blueberries
Jon
Hi- yes, this could be mummy berry disease. In addition to removing symptomatic fruit, raking around plants is recommended. Here are a few fact sheets on the subject with detailed management tips:
https://extension.psu.edu/blueberry-disease-mummy-berry
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-46
https://macon.ces.ncsu.edu/2016/04/406322/
Jon