Help with blueberry bushes

Jack_etter 5/12/2011, 3:58 pm

In March I bought 2, 35 year old blueberry bushes from an orchard. I transplanted them in my yard being very careful to follow the instructions. One bush seems to be doing fine, the other not so well. They are both blooming now, but one of the bush has blossoms and pods that are browning out and shriveling. At first I thought this was due to frost. The other bush has very few places where this browning occurs but other wise seems to be doing very well. The bush I am concerned about seems to be failing very rapidly. The upper most areas are now bare. lower areas of this bush has what seems to be healthy blossoms and is shooting leaves. Is there anything I can do to halt this and save my bush? I have other bushes near by of differing varieties for cross pollination purposes. Any thoughts will be appreciated. I live in Port Orchard WA.

Lavender Debs 5/12/2011, 7:26 pm

I need to say that my experience with senior blueberries is not personal. My neighbor in Robe Valley did the same thing. It took a couple of years for some of the bushes to recover from transplant shock, some were fine right away.

Personally I would continue to baby the bush that is struggling. It should send up new shoots next year. You can trim off the dead looking stuff if it is bothering you but do not give up on the bush yet.

I am usually not an advocate of stopping flowers and fruit the first year on bushes but on elderly transplants, particularly if they seem to be struggling, I would trim the flowers off and let the plant put energy to just living to fruit another year.

Port Orchard is a good place to grow blueberries. PH shouldn't be a problem. The other bush is doing fine so how you transplanted them probably is not the problem. If you can get someone to come have a look at them who may see something you are missing, or know a good trick, than put on the coffee and invite them over.

All the best to you and your jam makers.
Deborah in Everett.....welcome to the SFG forum

Jack_etter 5/12/2011, 9:46 pm

Thanks Deborah! You have put some of my fears to rest. Jack.

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Help with blueberry bushes

Help with blueberry bushes

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Re: Help with blueberry bushes


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