How to stop blueberry leaves curling up?

Hey howdy I have 5 blueberry bushes, they are going well I think……

I make sure I keep the soil moist. Always checking the soil making sure. Fertilise every 8 weeks in the growing season. Good layer of mulch to protect to the roots.

i have noticed HEAPS of ants walking around the bush!!!!

Is it due to a different problem, also I have too did the leaves are curling up and going crispy what seems to be my problem and how do I fix this?

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shane96

Not to long ago I noticed my leaves on the bush started to wrinkle and shrivel. I’ve never seen this and don’t know what I have done……

so upset about it, I had to prune it right back because all the leaves were falling off and branches were dying off. Any ideas why this is would love to know so I can avoid this mistake

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @shane96. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about blueberry care.

I apologise for the delay in my reply.

Overall, your plant looks quite healthy, with significant amounts of fruit. I note none of the mature fruit are wrinkling as that would be a significant concern. Occasionally, blueberry fruit can shrivel if the plant is not getting adequate water. Blueberry bushes thrive in soil that is consistently moist but not waterlogged. It’s important to strike a balance—keeping the soil constantly soggy can lead to root rot, while allowing it to dry out too much can stress the plant and cause leaf issues like curling or wrinkling.

Check the soil moisture regularly by feeling the top few centimetres. Water when it begins to dry out, ensuring good drainage to prevent overwatering. The crispy, curling leaves could indicate underwatering or heat stress, while ants often point to pests like aphids, which secrete a sugary substance that attracts them.

You might benefit from longer and less frequent waterings. If you were watering for five minutes each day, I'd switch that to 15 minutes every three days. That way, the water has time to penetrate deep down to the roots where it's needed. If you only water for five minutes, the water might only penetrate 10cm deep. Your soil will appear moist on the top, but it will be bone dry 20-30cm down where the majority of the roots are.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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