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Blueberry plant problem #753132

Asked May 31, 2021, 7:17 PM EDT

The leaves on our blueberry plants aren't looking well. Brown on the edges. The newer plants were put in ground 3 days ago, but the older plants (in ground for a year) are starting to look the same. We found 1 hornworm on one of the older blueberry plants. Worried the newer plants may have been overwatered/ excess rainfall when first in the ground.

Saginaw County Michigan

Expert Response

Erin, thanks for the question.  

Blueberries do not like wet feet.  With our weather hot and dry and now too much rain, it can be hard to assess how much water to put down.  The damage is consistent with too much water but too little water can look the same.  Soggy soil can smother roots and cause root rot.  Do what you can drain water away from the plants.  For smaller transplants, roots systems can be inadequate to take up enough water even with wet soils when there are drying winds and heat.  

I hope this helps.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 25, 2021, 2:55 PM EDT
Thank you! We were able to save the plants by digging out around the base to de-sog the roots. Hopefully they'll survive the current flood warnings!
On Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 2:55 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 26, 2021, 8:32 AM EDT

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