Blueberry plant question...

RickF

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I planted a blueberry a number of months ago and unfortunately I think I forgot to water it in the heat of the summer. I'm in the northern Los Angeles county high desert area and it gets kinda hot here from time to time -- I think 107f was about the highest I'm aware of. Anyway, I thought I killed it but kept watering it and it did come back but the leaves are a very odd shade of pale green unlike any blueberry I've ever seen. The breed is Bountiful Blue if I recall. I've got other Bountiful blue's in pots still that I've not put into the ground. The sickly one is planted in acidic soil and I have one of those cheapie PH meters but am leery of trusting its reading. Any ideas on why the leaves on my bush are so pale would be greatly appreciated. ps - the PH meter claimed the soil was not acidic at all.. I do have soil acidifier that I bought and can use that if you believe that is what is lacking. As we move into winter, I'm assuming all the leaves will fall off? The night temps for the next week here are about 30f.

20171201_141807.jpg 20171201_141832.jpg

The first image is the sickly plant with the very pale leaves -- those leaves have been out for more than a month. The 2nd image shows other bountiful blue's nearby and their corresponding leaf color perched over the sickly plants leaves. Yes, the red plastic pot has no bottom -- I cut it off. All soil in there is something akin to Azalea mix

Thoughts?
 

thistlebloom

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Have you fertilized with anything?

Light green chlorotic leaves with dark veins are an indication of a need for nitrogen.
It could be another nutrient of course that is causing that symptom, but I think it's safe to say it for sure needs to be fertilized.
I use a rhodie/azalea fertilizer for my blueberries, which is an acidifier.

Another cultivation tip for blueberries is their need for moist soil. Don'tlet them dry out. They have shallow netted roots and should be mulched. Some people use sawdust, I prefer wood chips. The sawdust can harden and make watering more difficult IMO.
Keep the mulch on the surface, you don't want to mix it into the soil or you will definitely have some nitrogen shortage going on.

I wouldn't put much faith in those inexpensive pH testers.

Being in L.A. county you can just assume your native soil is a high pH.
 

RickF

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Thanks.. I do have both liquid general fertilizer but also have some azalea fertilizer if I recall.. I need to install some automated watering system. I do have a brand-new sprinkler system setup that I can tap into for drip which is the preferred way here. Had to shut-off the water just a bit ago due to a freeze warning for tonight -- supposed to get down to 26-27 or so.. Hopefully the plants won't have issues with that level of cold. We don't usually get snow here -- just below freezing a number of mornings in the winter.
 

seedcorn

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If you use ammonium sulfate, you get both sulfur and nitrogen-they are needed by both-plus you acidity the soil.
 

RickF

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Thanks Seedcorn.. I would go out and check but its FREEZING cold outside right now (it's a bit past 5am here and it's 32F - brrr). I'll check after the sun is up and a bit warmer..
 

seedcorn

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32 degrees, that’s warm..... You from south? I kid, I kid.
 

RickF

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Well.. Not 'that' south.. Was born and raised in the LA area (So-Cal). I've also lost a pile of weight with only 25 more to go -- I've not been this light in at least 30 years. I used to get odd looks when traveling to visit my folks in Oregon.. I'd stop for gas in Albany Oregon at 2-3AM in Nov/Dec when it was freezing out (about 30 or a bit less) and wearing shorts & T-shirt.. I would collect stares from all the local Oregonians thinking I was another crazy CA guy.. Of course I was about 75-80lb heavier than I am now. Not so much insulation anymore. I can live with that though!!
 

seedcorn

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Wish I had your will power. Need to shed 30, yes, it’s still here.
 

RickF

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I'm not sure I'd attribute it to will power... only by the grace of God that I've got this far. I've changed my eating habits and continue to do so.. I'm trying my best to ditch refined sugars and even trying to stick with gluten free stuff. 3 years ago I was just about 300lb.. Now I'm 220 with my goal of 195.. It's been a LONG time since I was that light!!
 

Ridgerunner

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I agree with everything Thistle said. Blueberries have a shallow root system so they can dry out easily, you need to keep them watered. At the same time, if the soil stays too wet they can drown. Moisture control is kind of tricky but lots of mulch and decent drainage help. I water mine a lot in the summer.

I also do not trust those pH testers, I got a wide range of results testing the same soil when I got one so I tossed it. If your results area t least consistent maybe you can trust it a little.

Blueberries want highly acid soil, I've read in the 5.0 to 5.2 pH range. You might check with your county extension office about what it would take to get a soils analysis. Here in Arkansas it is free but I have no idea how California handles that, could cost a fortune. A soils analysis will give you a lot more than just pH.

My blueberries have gone through temperatures below zero Fahrenheit, I'm sure other people have had theirs go through temps a lot colder. I would not worry about cold being a problem.. Mine also went through a couple of summers with severe drought and temperatures above 110 F. I did a lot of watering those summer but they made it. In your high desert blueberries may need a lot of tender loving care.
 

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