[sharonl]

Can anyone shed any light on this? Got 2 nice healthy blueberry bushes and planted them out on the allotment with loads of ericaceous compost since I know they like acidic soil and (thankfully) the soil on the new plot is neutral. But the leaves started turning red and the big clusters of flowers that were white have even taken on a pinky/reddish hue. It doesn' t look great and has less leaves on it now and all totally red/maroon. What leaves are left look health just red

Anybody any ideas?

sharon

[brogan]

I'm glad you've asked, I've the same problem with my two bushes and I was beginning to wonder if I've killed them.

All advise appreciated.

[James Kilkelly]

A bit of leaf reddening as well though which can be seen on cold overly damp or compacted soils in winter/spring.

On the third or so day in a series of dry days, try to get in with a garden fork and insert it as deep as you can go into the soil between the plants. Do this all over.

More on aeration here.... Aerating your lawn ----- Aeration and Your Lawns Health

Stay off the area around the blueberries if the soil is wet, as you will be compacting the soil more.

Applying a fertiliser with a good Phosphorus content should aid with halting the reddening leaves as well.