Blueberry Problem

Question: In 2020 I planted 4 blueberry bushes; 3 are thriving and producing fruit. The bush on the left has had the leaves turn prematurely red/yellow every Summer, then completely die during the Winter. I've replaced the left bush twice, and each time exactly the same symptoms. Current photos show bush planted in June 2022, healthy appearance until April/May 2023, then almost overnight some of the leaves had these crispy orange areas. We have eliminated the dripping faucet 4' away, and the Dee Runk Boxwood and Hellebores on the left, as well as 3 blueberry bushes on the right, show no signs of overwatering. This poorly blueberry bush was also planted with plenty of well-draining material. How can I solve this problem?? Thank you so much.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 05, 2023, 12:48 PM EDT
response: Hi- the blueberry plant is showing stress symptoms typical of young plants struggling to get established. Possible causes:  Soil- since the other plants in the area are growing well we can rule out a soil pH or nutrient deficiency issue. We do suggest digging down to make sure there is no obstruction like a large rock or construction material. Water- blueberry needs regular watering to get established and grow (the roots don't have root hairs to aid in water uptake). The root zone should be kept consistently moist. It's also possible that the heat radiating from the brick wall is contributing to plant stress. Plants- it's possible that the plants you are buying are stressed or damaged.  Perhaps regular watering and fertilizing with an "acid-loving plant" fertilizer will bring this plant around. If it fails to establish you may want to consider leaving the space open as the spacing looks a bit tight for this 4th plant. Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 05, 2023, 1:50 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for this informed email!The one thing I’ve not considered previously was heat stress from the brick wall AND the concrete stoop to the left…Would you have any hope for planting this bush in another location for about 2 years, then relocating it here when it is larger and stronger? Can it tolerate heat more when it is a more mature plant? (There actually is enough room here; the piglet grass would not stay when blueberry is larger and I originally planted the 4 bushes at a spacing to form a ‘hedge’ rather 4 distinct bushes.)-Jessica On Jul 5, 2023, at 12:48 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 05, 2023, 4:22 PM EDT
response: Hi- we suggest trying to nurse this plant through the summer. It might not fully establish until fall. Relocating it now would further stress it and in two years it would suffer transplant shock again when you plant it with your other blueberry plants.   If it feels like a lot of heat is coming off the wall perhaps you can shield the plant with some type of natural curtain or barrier like a short piece of snow fence or bamboo fence. Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 06, 2023, 9:32 AM EDT
response: Thanks again!!! You know, this line of thinking makes me wonder if I scorched the plant… Why it died the first year I don’t know, but since then, with the other bushes producing fruit, I cover all the bushes with one big white insect netting at this time of year. I did notice this year that the first “burnt” leaves appeared the day after I installed that net. The net doesn’t harm my larger plants at all, but I wonder if it could have been damaging to this tender bush??Something I will do differently next year, for sure.Thank you!-Jessica On Jul 5, 2023, at 4:22 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 06, 2023, 9:39 AM EDT
response: Hi- it is possible that the insect netting raised the temperature around the blueberry plant, especially if the mesh size is less than 0.5 mm. Jon