[zoe96]

Hi there

Noticed in the last 2 weeks some of my blueberry plants have rust spots on them.

I bought 7 new plants to add to my 6 that l have.
It seems to be affecting most of the new plants that l got one or two of them have very little leaf left.

The spots are a reddish / brown colour and affect most of the leaf.
l did not notice any spots when the plant started to produce new leaves earlier in the year.

I have most of my blueberries in 24 cm pots with echinacea soil and plenty of drainage l also mulched them with pine needles l collected from a local school.

Could l have infected my plants from the pine neddles?
The research l have done so far seems to suggest destroy and burn the infected plants or sprays them the which l don't want to do.

Any suggestions would be welcome

Thanks

Zoe

[Paul Plots]

Sounds as if the plants may have a fungal infection - easiest (but costly) action would be burn and start again but it may not solve the problem - it may be to do with recent wet weather so could reoccur.

Also - your hunch about the pine needles is worth following up.

Here's a link with a little information  LINK (but it is from the States)

[zoe96]

Thanks For the link Paul 
Yea looks like l might have to burn affected plants and start again :-(

Have heard about rust resistant blueberry plants might go that way for next year.

Zoe

[Paul Plots]

I can't help with personal experience of growing them - a bit on the dear side for me.

Here's wishing you success with them one way or another.