What Causes Blueberry Bush Leaves To Turn Brown?
Almost everyone has hand blueberries in some form or another, but growing them yourself is a different story. Whether you enjoy eating a handful of fresh blueberries daily or cooking them into various dishes, you won’t regret planting blueberry bushes on your property. You may be alarmed to see brown leaves on your bushes, but knowing what causes blueberry bush leaves to turn brown is the first step to correcting the issue.
Underwatering or Drought
After planting, providing your blueberry bushes with enough water is imperative. If your area isn’t getting enough rain, you must provide supplemental waterings. When you buy blueberry bushes from a nursery and plant them in the ground, some of the existing root system dies off and must replenish itself.
As a result, young blueberry bushes may lose moisture quickly and become scorched and brown. Keeping the root system moist yet well drained is the best way to get your plants through this initial setback.
Improper Soil pH
Although blueberry bushes need adequate fertilizer, nutrients aren’t everything. In fact, these plants require a specific soil pH range to thrive and absorb their nutrients, and their leaves may appear brown if they don’t like the soil conditions. Generally, a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal for blueberry plants. Because this is a relatively acidic range, it can break down some of the solid nutrients to make it easier for the root system to absorb.
Extreme Weather
Most blueberry varieties thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4–7, but many can handle and adapt to colder and warmer weather. However, extremely hot or cold temperatures can wreak havoc on these beautiful plants. For instance, excessive heat can cause the leaves to dry out, turn brown, and fall off. If the temperature is extremely low, the bush may let the leaves die off to conserve heat and energy to protect the roots from freezing.
Pro Tip
Add mulch around the bushes’ bases to protect them from extremely cold weather.
Pests and Diseases
Blueberry leaves may turn brown due to pests or diseases such as:
- Root rot
- Blight
- Blueberry maggots
- Fruit worms
Usually, you can tell if it has pests by inspecting the leaves and fruit for holes. On the other hand, brown, red, or yellow blotches on the leaves and branches may indicate diseases. Consider investing in organic pesticides or fungicides if you notice any signs of pests or diseases in your blueberry bushes.
Hopefully, learning what causes blueberry bush leaves to turn brown can help you determine how to fix various problems with your fruit tree. Blueberries are an excellent homegrown fruit, but you must catch abnormalities before it’s too late to fix them.
