Blueberry Blight?

Question: I recently purchased this blueberry from Suncrest Gardens in Peninsula, OH. It is a pink lemonade aka Rabbiteye variety. I have not planted it yet because I think it has blight.

responder: Susan LIf you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied July 20, 2023, 3:59 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question.  Usually blight causes a whole branch to turn brown and die, then the whole plant. (See https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/stem-blight-of-blueberry)  From your picture it seems that your blueberry plants might have leaf rust rather than blight.    Apparently proximity (less than 1/2 mile) to hemlocks is one cause of this rust.  If you haven't planted the bush yet, perhaps it contracted the rust in the nursery.  Is it too late to return it and purchase a more resistant variety? Suncrest is a very reputable nursery.  (It's one of my favorites!)  Several rainy days with temps around 70 seem to encourage the rust spores.  Also very humid days encourage them.   There are  some management options.  Don't water the leaves, just the soil.  Cover during rainy periods.  Make sure the roots can drain well. Raise the planting bed. Use acidic soil.  Remove any leaf litter under the bushes.  Some sources state fungicides are not necessary in Ohio, and others recommend them.  If you decide to use a fungicide in spring, you must follow the directions exactly.  This article says fungicides aren't needed: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-43 and this article recommends specific fungicides for blueberry rust: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/beware_of_blueberry_leaf_rust  I'm including a link to the following article because it discusses other blueberry diseases.  There are several diseases with spots on the leaves and maybe your spots will progress to resemble one of the pictures.  It's just FYI    https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/leaf-diseases-of-blueberry  I hope your blueberry bush survives and thrives in the future despite its current spots.  Sincerely,

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 10:07 AM EDT
response: Thank you ever so much! Sadly this was the last one of this variety. Rust I can deal with! Yes I love Suncrest. Can I ask another question about a different plant, or do I need to submit a new question?Thank you,Kellie. Sent from my iPhone On Jul 20, 2023, at 15:59, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Susan LIf you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied July 25, 2023, 1:02 PM EDT
response: Hi, Please feel free to ask me another question.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 25, 2023, 2:56 PM EDT
response: Thank you…can you help determine what is going on with my blushing turtle germanium? I’ve had it 6 years and recently it threw some strange leaves. Sent from my iPhone On Jul 25, 2023, at 13:02, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Susan LIf you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied July 26, 2023, 10:04 AM EDT
response: Morning,  One cause of geranium leaves turning yellow is over watering.  Another cause of the discoloration is lack of nutrients.  Or it could be because it's been in one location or a small pot for several years.    It's difficult to figure out which nutrient is missing.  Different missing nutrients have the same symptoms. Maybe do a comprehensive soil test.  https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/50820500/Publications/FertilityManagement/trifold%20geranium%20deficiency.pdfSometimes  a lack of magnesium causes yellowing around the veins and leaf margins.  Here's an article about magnesium deficiency with some pictures. https://www.e-gro.org/pdf/2017_601.pdf  Figure 9 rather looks like your leaf.  I doubt this is bacterial blight.  Your leaf does not look like the leaf in this article on bacterial blight on geraniums https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/recognizing_symptoms_of_bacterial_blight_of_geraniums  I'm sorry I couldn't definitively diagnose the cause.  I think a soil test or a tissue test from your county OSU Extension office is your best bet to determine the cause.     Good luck with your spotted turtle geranium!  They are great for pollinators!  Sincerely,

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2023, 10:08 AM EDT
response: Thank you much. I will do the test. It is in ground and I don’t water any of my established plants.  I appreciate all of your help.   Kellie Sent from my iPhone On Jul 26, 2023, at 10:04, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Susan LIf you would like to learn more, please check out these resources.  Replied July 26, 2023, 4:39 PM EDT
response: You are most welcome!