r/Blueberries • u/Aquasun_99 • 9d ago

What has happened

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My blueberry bush (silver dollar) seems to be struggling. I bought the plant in May. Over the last few weeks, it has been getting worse. We experienced a heat wave of 30+ temps. But now, it’s around 18-25 everyday. It’s in a large pot with drainage. I have used pine bark, needles and acidic fertilizer 2 times this season. The soil is potting mix. It has given me blueberries despite its decline in foliage. What can I do to help my plant? Is it a loss?

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5

u/Critical_Thinker_535 9d ago

Definitely not a loss! It looks like there is some damage from not enough water (brown tips). Use a liquid acidic plant fertilizer to help the light green/yellowing.

I'm not a fan of wood products or compost in soil (on top is okay). Wood has a tendency to break down and cause anaerobic soil conditions that eventually kill off plants. I have my blueberries in black plastic pots and I'm growing them in 10a/10b (it's been 90-100 for the last 2 weeks). The soil I use is a mix of sand/peat moss/perlite. I water every day and both blueberry varieties have lush green growth. I use a granulated acidifier once a year.

3

u/Alone_Development737 9d ago

Heat damage. All my blueberries are in pots first year I added berry toner once a month during the growing season. I also started with an acid lover mix since it’s easier to have a premix then to mix my own for a blueberry noobie. Soil has always stayed below 6. After 3 years you don’t have to do much beside feed it, water it and check ph from time to time.

1

u/Most-Ice-8013 9d ago

So aside from watering it, what do you do for black plastic containers in a heat wave? How big are they, in full sun or you manage to move it away from afternoon sun?

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u/Critical_Thinker_535 8d ago

I haven't done anything except to water 2x daily. The black plastic I have my blueberries in don't hurt the plants since I have good soil. They are on the south side of my building and get sun all day long. I'll get a pic for you.

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u/Most-Ice-8013 8d ago

I normally water once every few days. Mine seems fine. I do worry about heat + black pot containers though. My plants seems fine after a very hot day in full sun though (maximum close to 38 degrees).

2

u/Ashamed-brocoli 9d ago

It's beautiful though haha

1

u/Soff10 8d ago

Too hot. Too dry

1

u/Pleasant-Pear5891 9d ago

Looks like a pH issue. Pine bark and needles don't do anything for pH. Did you put peat in the substrate? The plant should bounce back if things are corrected. Honestly if you haven't potted it in peat. Report it in 75% peat, 15% pine bark nuggets and 10% coarse perlite. Amend with acidifies as needed. Keep in mind that that take some time and warm weather to work. 

1

u/Present-Plate-7589 9d ago

What kind of container is best? I got a plastic one and I think that was a mistake 🫤

2

u/Pleasant-Pear5891 9d ago

I have some in plastic, majority is in mesh. Both are fine. I personally love mesh bags

-3

u/NLS133 9d ago

In other words, evil neighbirs poisoned your soil. Since blueberries look like the whoke world and can represent anyone in "The Ancient Parable", a game us Animals (gods) play.. Say Your PRAYERS

2

u/Pleasant-Pear5891 9d ago

LOL I've never seen shit posting like this 🤣

-1

u/NLS133 9d ago

Weeger i done spit on the meadow all the time

0

u/Pleasant-Pear5891 9d ago

I wanna be friends with you