new blueberry plants- are they dying?

by eClaire on March 21, 2006 05:13 AM

Hello all,
I just planted a pair of blueberries in a raised bed with fresh garden soil. I fertilized it with Mir-acid, my mom said that should take care of making the soil acidic, the packaging stated that blueberries like acidic soil.
The plants have been turning a reddish color over the past few days - both the stems and leaves - is that normal?? Help! I think I may have fried them with the Mir-acid. This is my first try at growing fruit so I'm a little lost.
Thanks!

* * * *
Claire

by weezie13 on March 21, 2006 05:47 AM

Claire,
You wouldn't happen to have a picture for us,
would you?????

And be patient with growing things, and don't give up..
*blueberries are one of the more trickier one's to start with..*

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by peppereater on March 21, 2006 07:18 AM

Claire...have you had cold weather? The stems will turn red in winter, and I think they're adapting to being put outside after being in a warm store and starting to break dormancy...if the leaves aren't getting crisp, they could be having a protective reaction to sun and cool temperatures. They weren't really meant to be in leaf yet, anyway...keep us posted. And for sure don't fertilize any more, that's not good for any freshly planted shrub, etc.

* * * *

Dave
Even my growlights are getting restless!

by eClaire on March 22, 2006 12:24 AM

Dave - thanks for the winter info - the temp dropped from 75 for a week down to the 40's and 50's. I bet thats the problem.

And weezie I tried to get my picture to upload, but my camera is screwed up, sorry no visuals!

Thanks for the help!

* * * *
Claire

by johnCT on March 22, 2006 02:17 AM

Blueberries need VERY acidic soil to survive and produce. In the 4.5 range. Simply using Miracid is not enough. Amend the soil with peat moss and garden sulphur to aid in reducing the soil's pH but don't expect results overnight. It can take years to move a soil's pH by 2 points. Get a soil test done. As far as chilly temps go, I'm guessing that's not the problem. Blueberries are very hardy shrubs.

* * * *
John - Zone 6

by eClaire on March 24, 2006 12:34 AM

I was wondering how to post a picure - I finally got my camera working and have a picture of my blueberr shrub. I tried to paste into this window, but it didn't work. Thanks!

* * * *
Claire

by melcon6 on March 24, 2006 12:40 AM

You need to store it on the net somewhere first then copy the address from the properties (right click on the stored pic) I use www.photobucket.com for my storage , there are others too

* * * *

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY!!!!!!!

by weezie13 on March 24, 2006 09:21 AM

After you get your pictures into Photobucket,
Take that one picture you are looking to post,
and copy the URL, then go to the FULL REPLY FORM
on a reply box and click on the IMAGE box.
*a blue http:// will show up, either delete it
or back space on it and it will go away*
Then Paste your URL into the box that comes up and
click your ADD REPLY button..
*I think that's all of it*
If not, let us know....

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by eClaire on March 26, 2006 10:05 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h292/cfoust/hyac.jpg

Wow I think I did it! Thanks for your help. Here is the blueberry.....

* * * *
Claire

by eClaire on March 26, 2006 10:06 PM

That wasn;t a blueberry - that was my pretty grape hyacinth(speling?).

Sorry - here it is

* * * *
Claire

by weezie13 on March 26, 2006 10:55 PM

oh man, I can barely see that??

Claire,
Can you make it a bit bigger????

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by johnCT on March 27, 2006 08:26 PM

Claire, you may have copied the url for the thumbnail picture. Either that or it's a dwarf. [Big Grin]

* * * *
John - Zone 6

by eClaire on March 28, 2006 02:19 AM

I can't figure out how to make it bigger. My camera is busted so I took the picture with my cell phone, that is most likely the problem!

It is a young tiny plant...may qualify as a dwarf:) but it has been stable over the last week, no further reddening, so that is good. I need to add some peat to the soil - I'm allergic to sulfur so I can't use the strong stuff.

Anyways....from that tiny picture does that color look normal??
Thanks for your help and putting up with me!!

* * * *
Claire

by weezie13 on March 28, 2006 02:44 AM

To me, that color looks like fall time..
Like it's getting ready for fall, you know what I mean??

Can you see any new green buds anywher'es along
the stems at all???

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by eClaire on March 28, 2006 03:36 AM

There are new buds - but the weird thing is they look like that same reddish color. The stems are green, but the leaves and buds are red.

This is what I get for buying a shrub from Walmart [Smile]

* * * *
Claire

by eClaire on April 05, 2006 03:37 AM

Just wanted to let you know that my blueberry plants now look great (though tiny), they are green and sprouting new leaves....i guess it was a temp issue! Thanks for your help, i'll post pictures when i get my real camera up and running.

* * * *
Claire

by weezie13 on April 05, 2006 04:49 AM

We love

to hear

updates

!!

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

The Garden Helper

Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2006