Lowbush Blueberry with Anthracnose? Rare but Treatable

Vaccinium angustifolium

Susceptibility: Low Severity: High Difficulty: Easy

Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry: What to Know?

Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) is a fungal condition with high severity. Lowbush Blueberry has low susceptibility to this disease. Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum that affects many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and trees. The disease thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing dark...

Lowbush Blueberry is a easy-care plant. Recovery from Anthracnose takes approximately 14 days with proper treatment.

Unlike most plants, Lowbush Blueberry has natural resistance to Anthracnose. Best treated with preventive measures rather than reactive treatment. Unlike bacterial infections, Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry can be managed with organic fungicides.

🔍 What Does Anthracnose Look Like on Lowbush Blueberry?

• Small irregular yellow or brown spots on leaves
• Dark sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits
• Water-soaked lesions that darken as they age
• Pink gelatinous masses of spores in lesion centers during warm, moist weather
• Spots that expand and may cover entire leaves
• Defoliation in advanced stages

❓ What Causes Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry?

→ Caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum
→ Cool wet weather promotes development
→ Optimum temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C)
→ Foliage wet for extended periods of time
→ Fungi overwinter in seeds, soil and garden debris
→ Spores spread through water droplets

💊 How to Treat Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry?

TLDR: Treat Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry with quick treatment (~7 days) or organic (~14 days). Lowbush Blueberry has low susceptibility to this disease.

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Quick Fixes

Remove and discard all visibly infected parts

Apply commercial systemic fungicide (azoxystrobin or mancozeb)

Adjust irrigation to avoid wetting foliage

Second application of systemic fungicide

Assess treatment effectiveness

🌿

Organic Treatment

Remove all infected plant parts and discard in plastic bag

Apply organic liquid copper spray to all plant surfaces

Switch irrigation regime to drip, avoiding foliage wetting

Second application of copper fungicide or neem oil

Assess progress and remove any new lesions

Final organic fungicide application and ongoing monitoring

🛡️ How to Prevent Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry?

TLDR: Prevent Anthracnose on Lowbush Blueberry with 8 essential preventive care practices.

✓ Implement drip irrigation instead of overhead watering
✓ Give plants enough room to breathe and reduce humidity
✓ Remove infected plant material after harvest
✓ Practice crop rotation between hosts and non-hosts
✓ Choose resistant plant varieties when possible
✓ Use western grown seeds not exposed to the disease
✓ Avoid wetting foliage during watering
✓ Ensure good air circulation around plants

🌱 How to Care for Lowbush Blueberry to Prevent Anthracnose?

💧 How to Water

Water weekly during the growing season. Once established, lowbush blueberry is drought tolerant. Avoid waterlogging — ensure good drainage.

☀️ Lighting

Requires full sun to high indirect light (10,000–40,000 lux) for best berry production. Will tolerate partial shade but yields may decrease.

🪴 Ideal Soil

Thrives in acidic, peaty soil with pH 4.0–5.5. Amend with sulfur or peat moss if soil is too alkaline. Avoid lime.

Frequently asked questions

Can Anthracnose kill my Lowbush Blueberry?

Yes, without treatment, Anthracnose can be fatal to Lowbush Blueberry. Early detection and treatment are key.

How long does Lowbush Blueberry take to recover from Anthracnose?

With proper treatment, recovery takes approximately 14 days. Without treatment, it can take significantly longer.

Is Anthracnose contagious to other plants near Lowbush Blueberry?

Yes, Anthracnose can spread to nearby plants. Isolate the affected Lowbush Blueberry immediately.

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