Plants infected with stem blight of blueberry exhibit a rapid wilt with browning or reddening of leaves on individual branches, sometimes followed by death of the entire plant as the fungus spreads downward through vascular tissue to the base of the plant. Wilting occurs so rapidly that the stem does not defoliate before dying, resulting in “flagging,” a dead or dying stem with attached brown leaves. Stem blight symptoms generally first become evident in June, soon after harvest. Subsequent disease development can be observed throughout the summer months. Additionally, temperatures below 0 F have been observed to cause cracks in the forks of stems, resulting in wound-related epidemics early in the season.
For more information, read Stem Blight of Blueberry, or Stem Blight of Blueberry Control.
