Is this still alive

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by hi2u_uk, Sep 7, 2024.

  1. hi2u_uk

    hi2u_uk Gardener

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    Its blueberry but the leaves and stems are all very red . Should i completely get rid of it or can it be saved ?
     

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  2. flounder

    flounder Super Gardener

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    Erm, I'm going to say dead
     
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    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      It's not red, it's brown and crispy. Deceased.
       
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      • Obelix-Vendée

        Obelix-Vendée Total Gardener

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        I once came home from hols to find the blueberiies - and a few other plants in pots - that my teenage neighbour was supposed to have been watering had gone brown and crispy.

        I gave them a good soaking and they slowly recovered.

        However, they were bigger plants in 60cm pots so I suspect yours are brown and crispy all the way down to the roots and are deceased. Nothing wrong with watering them and waiting to see before binning them.
         
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          Last edited: Sep 7, 2024
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        • hi2u_uk

          hi2u_uk Gardener

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          So basically it's due to lack of water? I can give them a good watering but as its nearly autumn will I expect to see anything ?
           
        • flounder

          flounder Super Gardener

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          Try watering them. You have nothing to lose. If they're dead, they won't do anything, if they're just sulking(unlikely) then you get to claim your fingers are green!:)
           
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          • infradig

            infradig Total Gardener

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            Cut off a typical branch. Examine the cut, if there is still green (cortex) material, there is a chance. Otherwise compost it and allow it to thrive in its next life !
             
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              If the wood is still alive brown leaves mostly fall off, if the leaves are well attached then in most cases the wood is dead.
               
            • hi2u_uk

              hi2u_uk Gardener

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              OK Ive cut a branch and this is what it looks like. It does look a little green to me. The leaves are definitely still attached but im not convinced. Its been like this for about a month or two now and over the past 2/3 days it has been raining
               

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              • Obelix-Vendée

                Obelix-Vendée Total Gardener

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                Just for info, you can never rely on rainfall to water pots. Any foliage casts a rain shadow and any water will also drain out quickly so roots get left high and dry.

                Blueberries are woodland edge plants which require moisture in summer bu don't want to be waterlooged in winter. They will grow in full sun if you provide enough moisture but prefer semi or dappled shade. They also acid soil so need ericaceous compost and rainwater or they become anemic but, if you have hard tap water, you can fix it by using sequestered iron feeds.
                 
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                I think you just need to wait, but I tend to think most of the wood is dead, but there could be a spark of life still in the roots.
                 
              • ViewAhead

                ViewAhead Total Gardener

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                Is it in ericaceous soil? As @Obelix-Vendée points out, this is a requirement for blueberries.
                 
              • hi2u_uk

                hi2u_uk Gardener

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                Yes it's in ericaceous compost and soil

                How long do you think I should wait?
                 
              • DiggersJo

                DiggersJo Head Gardener

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