A good mulch around the base of the plant will help control weeds and help conserve moisture for the roots. Annual pruning to promote good air circulation will also aid in control of these two diseases. Another common blueberry disease is stem blight caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea . This disease can kill clusters of stems or even entire plants. The causal fungus overwinters on dead wood.
Spores enter through wounds created by cold injury to root sprouts and mechanical causes.
Removal of dead wood will reduce overwintering sites and the incidence of this disease. Sanitation is important to successfully grow brambles. In some cases, if good sanitation is practiced a fair crop of fruit can be produced without pesticides. Anthracnose, orange rust and rosette or double blossom are the most common diseases of brambles in the southeast. Anthracnose caused by the fungus Elsinoe veneta is more of a problem on blackberries and affects the canes, leaves, fruit and stems of berry clusters.