Yellowing blueberry plant

[monkeyboy]

So my bluecrop plant that I bought from homebase was planted outside in a container filled with ericaceous compost and left outside. The tips of the leaves are now yellowing but the main part of the leaf is unaffected.

What could be causing this?

[nickdub]

What sort of container is it in, and how wet is the compost ?

[monkeyboy]

This one
https://www.diy.com/departments/flor...1886617_BQ.prd

I haven't checked it today but it's been raining on and off the last few days.

[Mitzi]

When I saw your title I thought "alkaline soil" but I see you've got it in ericaceous compost so that's not the issue. "Raining on and off" doesn't mean that the compost is getting wet below the top couple of inches. Check the soil and I bet it's dry lower down. Give it a good soak and hope it's not too late.

[FB.]

I'd say not enough water.

[nickdub]

I'd agree with the others - most likely too dry - ideally its best to use rain water to water with.

[monkeyboy]

I checked yesterday. Bearing in mind that it had been raining all day, the compost was damp. I brought out my moisture meter and it was between dry and moist.

I had drained small drainage holes (I think 4 x 10mm holes) in the bottom. I'm now wondering if the compost is rubbish at holding on to the water and it's draining away, or if it's evaporating (and needs mulch)? Or maybe just a larger container with more compost?

[bario1]

Hi Monkeyboy, do you remember exactly what the brand of the compost you used was? When i bought my blueberry bushes I bought Verve ericaceous compost but it was really light and fluffy, like shredded bark and coir, i could tell it wouldn't hold water at all, so I bought some John Innes ericaceous compost which was a much heavier, soil based compost, and mixed that in, along with some topsoil from my plot (my soil is on the acid side anyway, so I didn't think it would hurt).

[1Bee]

Although it's raining now, it's been drier than usual in many parts of the country. Containers need watering, even if it is raining off and on, though, and blueberries like moist (but well drained) soil, I believe. Perhaps it didn't get enough water in drier times?

Fixable, though.

[It never rains..it pours]

If its not moisture it could be iron deficiency. I echo bario1 on compost findings and now use verve simply to improve my clay soil when home produced compost runs out

[monkeyboy]

Hi Monkeyboy, do you remember exactly what the brand of the compost you used was? When i bought my blueberry bushes I bought Verve ericaceous compost but it was really light and fluffy, like shredded bark and coir, i could tell it wouldn't hold water at all, so I bought some John Innes ericaceous compost which was a much heavier, soil based compost, and mixed that in, along with some topsoil from my plot (my soil is on the acid side anyway, so I didn't think it would hurt).

I'll check when I get home but it's whatever B&Q were offering. It will have been either Verve or Gro-Sure (looking at pics online).

[magicmarigold]

Sorry to jump on your thread but I'm having problems with my two new blueberry plants. Mine are turning red! They're in pots with good drainage and are in ericaceous (or however it's spelled!) Soil. I've only used rainwater to water them and they are in good sun ( well when the sun manages to appear...)
I only planted them in March so they're still small but both have a good amount of leaves, just going red!
Any ideas?

[nickdub]

Sorry to jump on your thread but I'm having problems with my two new blueberry plants. Mine are turning red! They're in pots with good drainage and are in ericaceous (or however it's spelled!) Soil. I've only used rainwater to water them and they are in good sun ( well when the sun manages to appear...)
I only planted them in March so they're still small but both have a good amount of leaves, just going red!
Any ideas?

Mine are just over 1 year old now, and the leaves are quite red currently - I think its probably a normal colour for them at this time of year.

[magicmarigold]

It's normal?? Well now I feel silly lol. I've been staring at them through the window stressing they were dying! I'll let them get on with it then thanks nickdub!

[nickdub]

It's normal?? Well now I feel silly lol. I've been staring at them through the window stressing they were dying! I'll let them get on with it then thanks nickdub!

You're very welcome - hopefully I'm right, as they are newish to me as well, but I'd say its probably normal for this type of plant, at this time of year :-)

Happy gardening.