My blueberry leaves are turning brown.?

Question:It was thriving, until about a week ago. The small developing berries dried up, and the leaves are starting to turn brown. The whole leaf is turning brown, not just the outsides or in spots. The leaves are turning brown starting at the top, and spreading down the whole plant.

My area has had plenty of rain, and my other blueberry plants are all doing great.

Any suggestions?

Answers:
Your blueberry plants may be suffering from a fungus called; "Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi"...which is commonly known as (believe it or not) "Mummy-berry".

This fungus overwinters in the soil on dead berries. You should remove as many or all of the dead berries/leaves as much as possible and discard them in the garbage.

During wet periods, spores are released into the air and carried by the wind to young developing leaf shoots and flowers where they cause primary infections. Try to avoid splashing water by irrigating with soaker hose or drip.

You can use the product "FUNGINEX" (can be found at most hardware/garden shops) as a spray to the entire foilage and berries AND also spray the surrounding soil where fallen berries may be present. Alternate every 3rd spray with "Thiophanate-Methyl" to avoid resistance build-up.

Hope this solves your problem. Good luck!

-Certified Professional Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science