I shouldn't say this because it will probably lead you into trouble. The dead tip on my plants is usually a sign of water stress. I say this more related to stone fruit where the dead tip like that is often the first sign of excess water stress. But my new Bluecrisp have the same thing.

Here's what might be happening. Frequent watering leads to very succulent growth. Then a short period of water deficiency and or heat stresses the plant briefly and the tip gets killed back.

What is a bigger concern to me is the stem blight that we are both battling. I think that is likely related to pushing the plants for rapid growth. Those succulent tissues are more disease prone. So I'm backing off some and accepting slower growth.

I don't know what to say about the spotting.

10-4 Fruit Nut, I have been backing off the heavy watering since I flushed it a week ago and thats when I noticed the dead leaf tips. I backed off alittle to see if that was what is causing the red spots but instead I think I caused alittle undue stress on the watering side of it. I can tell you one thing that I have learned in the last 6 months of trying to grow these darn plants, Rabbit Eyes are soooooo much eaiser to grow than the southern high bush. Its funny to cause Im so crazy and compulsive about these plants that all I can think about when I lay down at night is freaking blueberry plants!!!! I think Im alittle sick in the head about them;) I probably cause more problems by knee jerk reactions to them than what needs to be. They sure a more sensitive than the Rabbit Eyes.

blueboy:

You're trying and pushing the limits. I think that's when we learn the most. If you find a rabbiteye as good as my Sweetcrisp this year I'll be all ears. Until then I'll take my chances trying to grow that baby. I don't dream blueberries but am willing to put up with a lot to grow the best.

Let me know how your stem blight issues come along. I'm concerned my Emerald may not make next year. Had to cut off another branch today. I've already lost one Sweetcrisp and the one left lost a limb earlier this year. They are all from one batch I got from Miller Blueberry Plantation, Interlacken FL. So far I've lost about half the 12 plants they sent. No others have had stem blight. So my plan going forward is to order from several locations and hope at least one source will be disease free. I'll order Sweetcrisp from a couple more locations this fall. I've got 10 new plants now from Florida Hill.

I'm thinking that if we can get mature plants that don't need fast growth we'll be OK. My 7 yr old plants seem bullet proof...so far.

Blueberry grows in flushes. At the end of each flush, the tip aborts. So that's normal and I wouldn't worry about that.

Regarding those red spots, they are either nutrient imbalance or fungus. If the spots show up later on the backside of leaves, then you got a fungus problem. Otherwise, they should stop when the growing condition gets better. You can supply with a complete fertilizer containing micro nutrients if it's a nutrition problem.

tc88, thanks for the response. Youve diffinatly easied my mind about the leaf tip aborting. Ive noticed this on a few of my plants and it seems sporatic. The same plant can have a few aborted tips while some shoots are still trucking along. Thanks for the reassurance;)
I just fertilized again this morning so I will report back in a couple of weeks on this post about the spots. I think you hit the nail on the head about the lack of nutrients. Watering as heavly as I have it would make sense that Ive washed the nutrients away from the root zone. The fertilizer I use has all the micro nutrients need. If none of you guys have ever looked into Micro Life I really think you should. It is a local company here in the Houston area and I dont know if its available through out the country or not but Im sure you can find a online dealer some where. It really is some good stuff!!! Here is a link.
http://www.microlifefertilizer.com/
I use the Micro Life Azalea on the Blues and the Micro Life 6-2-4 on everything else. Hands down the best vegetable garden Ive ever had because of this stuff.
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The leaves just look sunburned to me and the plant overall looks really healthy. I would be careful with the fertililzer. This spring I gave my containerized plants one ounce of ammononium sulfate then 6 weeks later another ounce and since then I have given them nothing because they are so green and growing. If the plants are green and have new growth I am reluctant to add more fertilizer because too much of it can cause problems.

Overall your plants look fantastic to me.

RM

Up date, the red spots are still there but have lightend up alittle! Riverman, I think you are right on with the sun causing the spots. After staring at the leafs I noticed that areas of the leafs that are shaded dont have spots on them. After fertilizing last week Im now getting new growth where the aborted tips were. Also we have finally got some rain!!! Today I got enough to fill up five rain barrels that store 65 gallons apiece;) The Gulf Coast that I had to cut down to the ground to get past the stem blight is now sprouting new shoots from the base. Life is good! One question, my rabbiteyes have shoots growing straight up that are up to 4ft and still growing strong. Should I tip them and promote branching or let them go? They are about 1/2inch thick and strong.

I tip mine at way less than 4ft, more like 12-18 inches. Then tip again every time they grow about 6 leaves. If you want really tall plants let them go. But all that base may never branch or have any fruit. The fruit will form next spring at the tips of the last growth this fall.

Blueboy,

You also mentioned a dead leaf at the tip. I get these on my plants at times too. The other day I was looking closely at the plants growing in the blueberry farm not far from here and his plants had them too! The blueberry farm plants are HUGE and extremely healthy so I think an occassional leaf or tip problem is of very little concern.

RM

Blueboy,

I checked on the fertilizer you are using and this is what I was told.
Dear Customer:

Unfortunately we do not have any dealers outside of the Texas Gulf Coast. We do not sell our products directly and out products are not registered for sale in Washington State. I know the product would perform well on your blueberries, but I am unable to sell to you. Thank you very much for your interest in our products.

Thanks!

Greg Cooper
San Jacinto Environmental Supplies
2221 West 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018
Phone: 713-957-0909 Fax: 713-957-0707
www.sanjacsupply.com

Well that sucks! I could get some for you and ship it but it might be easier to just use something you have locally? Thats a shame they dont sell it anywhere out side Texas!

I thought it was odd too! Why wouldn't they ship it? Strange. Thanks but I will just stick with the Miracle Grow and ammonium sulf for now!

RM

Blueberries are sensitive to fertilizer but that plant looks normal to me

I just noticed on 2 of my blueberry plant that are established that the leaves are turning brown on the tips and 1 of the plants most of the leaves have this look the leaves are a brownish green and some of the tips are easy to crumble in your fingertips. this just happened in the past week before then they all looked great PH is in the range for the plants and we water all plants on a regular basic during the extreme hot summer need help with is problem dont wat to lose them. I am in NJ Essex County

Some of mine doing the same thing right now Mike and I also noticed the same out at a commercial blueberry farm last week. Not sure if they just can't take in enough water or just what causes the tips to dry but I don't think it's much of a concern.

RM