Q&A - I have a blueberry that has rusty looking spots. Is there a cure for this?
Question:
I have a blueberry that has rusty looking spots on the leaves. Is there a cure for this or should I dig it up? My other blueberries look healthy.
Answer:
This is blueberry leaf rust. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says this is a pretty common problem and some varieties are more susceptible than others. At this point he would not remove the plant. He would wait and see what it does over the next few years. This year was unusually wet which encourages blueberry leaf rust. If it continues to be a problem, he might remove the plant in several years. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says to make sure you pick up all the fallen leaves and dispose of them to reduce the fungus in the area.
Related Resources:
Blueberry Leaf Rust
Blueberry bacterial and fungal diseases
I have a blueberry that has rusty looking spots on the leaves. Is there a cure for this or should I dig it up? My other blueberries look healthy.
Answer:
This is blueberry leaf rust. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says this is a pretty common problem and some varieties are more susceptible than others. At this point he would not remove the plant. He would wait and see what it does over the next few years. This year was unusually wet which encourages blueberry leaf rust. If it continues to be a problem, he might remove the plant in several years. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says to make sure you pick up all the fallen leaves and dispose of them to reduce the fungus in the area.
Related Resources:
Blueberry Leaf Rust
Blueberry bacterial and fungal diseases