Blueberries

Question: Hello, wondering what is causing my blueberry leaves to curl inward like this? The new growth appears warped and curled also. And some of the very small new shoots/growth are browning also.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 18, 2024, 12:34 PM EDT
response: Hi Terri, Please send this question to Tim Miles our plant pathologist. I can’t answer your question. It seems more related to plant pathology and Tim is the expert.   Thanks   Carlos   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 8:14 PM To: Garcia-Salazar, Carlos <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Question assigned to you (#0147627)    Hi Carlos, Question #0147627 has been assigned to you by Terri B. Blueberries  Hello, wondering what is causing my blueberry leaves to curl inward like this? The new growth appears warped and curled also. And some of the very small new shoots/growth are browning also.  From: Rachel Jacoby  Submitted: 07/17/2024 8:11 PM   To view/respond to the question, please login.   Please join the Ask Extension Experts group in Connect Extension. We will use that group to post updates about Ask Extension. This message was sent by Ask Extension. If you need help, please visit https://askhelp.extension.org/.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 12, 2024, 8:18 PM EDT
response: Hi, was anyone able to ask the plant pathologist my question?Rachel RachelOn Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 8:11 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  Dear Rachel, Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online. YOUR QUESTION #0147627: Blueberries  Hello, wondering what is causing my blueberry leaves to curl inward like this? The new growth appears warped and curled also. And some of the very small new shoots/growth are browning also. Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States. If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.  This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.

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response: Good Morning, Rachel -- So very sorry for the delay.  I just saw that this question needed to be reassigned. (Unless it gets reassigned back to me, I don't get alerted.) I have done that.  Tim Miles will be in touch.  If you don't hear from him in a few days, here's his contact information:  Timothy Miles Ph.D. (msu.edu)  Best wishes,

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 19, 2024, 9:53 AM EDT
response: Apologies for the delay, This could be caused by a number of things. Soil pH issues, lighting issues, plant over or underwatering, residual frost damage, herbicide issues, and plant viruses. Is this a few plants or an entire field? Is the plant in a pot? Is it all the same cultivar? I would say check your soil pH first, viruses are the most expensive thing to deal with and there really isn't a "cure. Thanks, Tim

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 20, 2024, 4:19 PM EDT
response: Hi Tim,I am a home gardener. I have six blue crop bushes, they are probably 25 years old but I pruned them hard all the way back this year because they had Putnam scale last year and I’ve been spraying them with all seasons horticultural oil every few weeks or so.  The plot faces south. My soil is likely more alkaline, I have been treating it with sulfur routinely to try to amend. I water with drip irrigation from rain barrels. Here are some more pics of the full bushes and some closeups. It appears the most distal growth is what is being affected? Thank you!On Mon, Aug 19, 2024 at 9:53 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 22, 2024, 10:20 AM EDT
response: Hi Rachel, In looking at this a bit more closely it does look like Blueberry Leaf Mottle Virus. Check out this photo: https://fieldguide.bcblueberry.com/virus-not-in-bc/ If it is leaf mottle it is pollen transmitted, I would recommend sending it somewhere for testing. You have two options but Michigan State University might be the less expensive approach. At the moment we just offer ELISA testing. The other option is Agdia. I am putting both links below. https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/blueberries https://www.agdia.com/testing-services/by-test?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8vu9gOWIiAMVBTYIBR09Igu7EAAYASAAEgL7mfD_BwE Most importantly you need to submit "good leaves" and "bad leaves" I think MSU will look at nutrients and then you should mention you suspect leaf mottle. Unfortunately if it is pollen transmitted there isn't a lot that I can recommend other than removing the bushes and starting over in your planting. I am attaching a fact sheet on virus and viruslike diseases. Best, Tim

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 22, 2024, 1:35 PM EDT
response: Hi Tim,Thank you very much for your response. I have a couple of follow up questions:1. If I leave the bushes , what will happen? Will they just eventually die? Will the bushes  potentially produce anymore fruit ? (As mentioned earlier I pruned them all the way back last year for Putnam scale so I didn’t anticipate any yield this year anyway )2. If I would rip them out, is there any risk of harm to future non-blueberry plants (ie if I would plant a vegetable garden, or other fruits perhaps such as raspberries) , or is this virus specific to blueberries?Thanks much for your help. Rachel On Thu, Aug 22, 2024 at 10:20 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 23, 2024, 5:32 PM EDT
response: Hi Rachel, Itemized response:1. If I leave the bushes , what will happen? Will they just eventually die? Will the bushes potentially produce anymore fruit ? (As mentioned earlier I pruned them all the way back last year for Putnam scale so I didn’t anticipate any yield this year anyway )  They would slowly decline/get weaker most likely, they might not die, they may have good months or even years left but eventually other factors will probably result in death (like a bad winter for example). Since a test would essentially be free (paid by the Michigan Blueberry Commission) I would recommend doing it because then you know if you should continue to put money into them. If it is just a nutritional issue that can be fixed but not from a virus.  2. If I would rip them out, is there any risk of harm to future non-blueberry plants (ie if I would plant a vegetable garden, or other fruits perhaps such as raspberries) , or is this virus specific to blueberries? If they are positive for leaf mottle that is specific to blueberries as far as I know. So no risk to your other plants. If it is an insect or another factor causing this it might affect your other plants.  Sorry I am a pretty big proponent for testing because when we look at pictures we are mostly just guessing. Best! Tim

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 24, 2024, 8:43 AM EDT
response: Hi Tim,No thank you I appreciate your honestly, expertise and  detailed recommendations! I will submit samples for testing so I know with certainty, might as well after all the time and money I have poured into these things!Thanks much,Rachel Rachel SzucsOn Fri, Aug 23, 2024 at 5:32 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: