Small red spots on Blueberry leaves

[Weedonk]

Hey!

First post here. I’ve been growing blueberries for a few years in my garden. This winter I decided to start large scale hardwood/ semi hardwood propagation (after a couple winters of propagating here and there).

In one of my young bushes I purchased last year I’ve got small red spots on the leaves. I’ve done some research and can’t definitively say it’s one of the ringspot viruses. I’ve also got some purple color in a couple new growth leaves. What do you think?

For context, the soil on all of my bushes (young and old) is too alkaline. Definitely above the 5.5ph threshold. My other young bushes are showing signs of iron deficiency as a result of the PH. I’ve treated all the soils with pelleted sulfur, and re potted the young bushes adding spag peat moss and bagged ericaceous soil . Well aware that this will take months to correct, especially outside in the cold. I’ll be spraying chelated liquid iron in the short term. I’ve got urea and ammonium sulphate on stand by, I’ll probably be applying soon after more research.

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome to the Forums.

What do you think?

Blueberries require a ph of 4.5 to 5.5 and closer to 4.5 than 5.5 in my experience. High soil pH levels (above 5.5) make it problematic for blueberries to absorb phosphorus.

Phosphorus deficiency can cause blueberry leaves to turn red. Increasing soil acidity and using phosphorus-rich fertilizers for blueberries are generally effective remedies.

 

[Weedonk]

Thanks for the reply. Yep, the ph soil level seems to be the most critical element of growing blueberries. So many downstream deficiency problems as a result. The elemental sulfur I applied to all plants indoor and out should do the trick, just takes time. It’s definitely causing the purplish coloring in a couple leaves. And the yellowing in between green veins on my other young plants. Been watering with rain water since realizing the ph problem.

Any thoughts on the small red spots?

 

[Meadowlark]

To me, they are all part of the ph problem...but maybe @YumYum can spot some aphids?

 

[Weedonk]

Gotcha.. definitely had an aphid problem a couple weeks ago. Noticed the honeydew excrement despite not really seeing the pests. Sprayed neem and got rid of them. Aphids will cause the small red spots? This may be it.

 

[Meadowlark]

...Aphids will cause the small red spots? This may be it.

Yes, especially when in a ph high situation. That Neem Oil is really good stuff, especially if fresh.