Knowledgebase

blueberry leaf rust #834780

Asked June 09, 2023, 3:17 PM EDT

i am noticing brown rust spots on my blueberry leaves and wondered what to do about them and how it will affect the fruit..

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Rose.  We don't like to provide advice about plant problems without clear photos, particularly since there are 24 problems that impact blueberries, several of which have brown leaf spots.  You can compare what your plant has with the photos in this diagnostic tool:  https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/blueberry-vaccinium-corymbosum-rust
Please send photos of your plant's leaves so we can confirm.  Thanks!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 1:23 PM EDT
Here is a photo of a couple of leaves, top and underside. image0.jpeg

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 12, 2023, at 10:23 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 1:39 PM EDT
Here is a photo of a couple of leaves, top and underside. image0.jpeg

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 12, 2023, at 10:23 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 1:39 PM EDT
Yes; that appears to be the rust described in the manual.  If you can remove hemlock trees upwind from the berries, this will have the longest term effect.  You might want to consider replacing your plant(s) with a resistant variety, but remove and destroy infected leaves at a minimum.  The chemicals marked "O" are organic, and may be helpful if used as directed.
Your blueberry crop will be affected if the damage to the infected leaves becomes so great that not enough chlorophyll is available to allow photosynthesis, that provides "food" to the berries.
I hope this helps.  Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 2:09 PM EDT
Thank you so much for the info! Although I do not know if there are any hemlock trees around and if they are they are not in my yard so not much I can do about that.... sad.

On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 11:10 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 3:23 PM EDT
Sorry....
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 3:25 PM EDT
Appreciate the information. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 12, 2023, at 12:25 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 7:56 PM EDT
See?  You just learned something!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 7:59 PM EDT

Loading ...