Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

My blueberry's flowers and fruits are turning brown

parks9165parks9165 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I am trying to grow a potted blueberry variety and up until a week ago they were progressing really well . Lately i have noticed the flowers and green fruits have started to turn brown . There is still new growth and a number of the flowers look okay but there are patches where the flower and fruit have clearly browned and died . Is this normal ? 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It's normal for the flowers to brown and fall. The fruit should form behind where the flower was, if it was pollinated. The green calyx(?) at the base of the flower becomes that round part on top of the fruit.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Is your netting mesh open enough to let bees through to do the pollination? 

    If it is then as Jenny says you should be able to see the beginnings of a tiny blueberry on the stalk that remains after the flower has fallen.
    If the stalks are falling off too then it's usually down to the flower not getting pollinated.
    Your plants look very healthy

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I'd say that it isn't normal parks9165. Here's mine at a similar stage. It's my first time growing them so still learning and a close inspection just now shows me that there are several flowers that haven't been pollinated as there aren't swellings behind the flowers. 




    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • parks9165parks9165 Posts: 3
    It is self pollinating and we have many other berry bushes to help along the way . Ive seen lots of bees and pollinating insects get through the netting no problem but we have a terrible bird problem . The top half of the bush seems to be progressing well but the bottom half is where the stalks are browning along with the flower 
  • parks9165parks9165 Posts: 3
    Pete.8 said:
    Is your netting mesh open enough to let bees through to do the pollination? 

    If it is then as Jenny says you should be able to see the beginnings of a tiny blueberry on the stalk that remains after the flower has fallen.
    If the stalks are falling off too then it's usually down to the flower not getting pollinated.
    Your plants look very healthy
    Ive seen lots of bees and pollinating insects get through the netting no problem but we have a terrible bird problem . The top half of the bush seems to be progressing well but the bottom half is where the stalks are browning along with the flower
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    In which case it's likely to be June-drop where your plant knows it can't support the growth of so many berries so it gets rid of some before they start to form.

    I only net mine once the first fruits start to ripen.
    While the berries are still green the birds don't seem interested.



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Sign In or Register to comment.