Why are blueberry leaves turning yellow and drying up? Causes and solutions

Blueberry leaves are the important organs blueberry plants use for photosynthesis to synthesize organic matter, and once a large number of leaves turn yellow, it seriously affects the growth and development of the blueberry. Yellow leaves in blueberries are a fairly serious problem: in mild cases the fruit-setting rate is low, and in severe cases the tree vigor declines, branches and leaves wither and die, or even the whole plant dies. To prevent and control yellow leaves in blueberries, you must first understand the causes. Let's take a detailed look below.

I. Causes of yellow leaves in blueberries

1. Nursery stock causes

When the nursery stock itself is poorly nourished and has a poor root system, and during planting the root ball is not broken up, or the roots are covered with too much soil, root growth is impaired and yellowing occurs.

2. Improper soil

Blueberries have strict requirements for soil pH. The suitable growing soil has a pH between 4.5 and 5.5; soil that is too acidic or too alkaline is unfavorable for blueberry growth and development. In addition, when the soil organic matter content does not reach 5% or above, it is also unfavorable for blueberry growth.

3. Waterlogging damage

Plots with low-lying terrain that easily accumulate water are highly prone to waterlogging damage, which seriously affects the growth and development of the blueberry root system and its ability to absorb nutrients. Over time, the leaves do not get enough nutrients and water, and yellowing occurs.

4. Underground pests

Pests such as white grubs and mole crickets harm the blueberry root system, causing root damage and weakened tree vigor. In addition, root rot and stem-base diseases can also cause the plant to grow slowly, produce no new branches and no unfolding heart leaves, and even the leaves that do emerge are relatively small and show yellowing.

5. Fertilizer damage. Blueberries are a low-fertility crop, and applying too much fertilizer or placing fertilizer improperly, causing fertilizer damage, can also easily lead to yellowing in blueberries.

II. Solutions

1. Nursery stock and new branches

Choose vigorous 2-3 year old nursery stock with a well-developed root system and 2-3 branches. Before planting, break open the root ball first; if the root ball is fairly dry, transplant it while soaking it in water.

2. Soil improvement

Measure the soil pH before planting, apply sulfur powder or humic acid to adjust the acidity and alkalinity, and apply organic microbial fertilizer or forest peat for localized soil improvement to increase soil organic matter.

3. Ridge cultivation

Drainage ditches can be built well. This can effectively reduce the occurrence of waterlogging damage and avoid blueberry yellowing caused by waterlogging.

4. Pest and disease control

For root damage caused by various pests and diseases that leads to leaf yellowing, use humic acid foliar fertilizer + 30% hymexazol + carbendazim + low-toxicity insecticide + plant growth hormone for root drenching, achieving the triple effect of sterilization, insect killing and root promotion.

5. Foliar fertilization

Foliar fertilization has the characteristics of high absorption and utilization rate and fast recovery, so in the early stage of yellowing you can spray the leaves with fungicide + trace element water-soluble fertilizer to supplement medium and trace elements, so that the already yellowed leaves gradually turn green again.

  The above is an introduction to the causes of and solutions for yellowing and dried blueberry leaves. We hope it helps you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us,