The table below lists suggested blueberry management items for January. Suggested management items for the entire calendar year are available in an EDIS publication, Calendar for Southern Highbush Blueberry Management in Florida (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/HS1363). Specific disease, insect, and weed controls are listed in the 2024 Florida Blueberry IPM Guide (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/HS380), as well as in subject-specific publications referenced below. Also, a list of all UF EDIS blueberry publications can be found at www.blueberrybreeding.com/blog, along with a summary description and link to each. Remember to take a look at the UF/IFAS Blueberry Growers Guide phone app (available in both English and Spanish) for field scouting tools, as well as information on all of the UF southern highbush blueberry cultivars (https://tosto.re/blueberryuf).
Disease
Once bloom occurs, monitor for Botrytis ower blight during cool wet periods. If present, spray suggested fungicides in rotation. Applications of fungicides prior to a forecasted need for overhead irrigation as freeze protection can help reduce Botrytis severity on plants damaged by low temperature injury. See UF EDIS Publication PP198, Botrytis Blossom Blight of Southern Highbush Blueberry (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/PP119). Anthracnose (ripe rot) infections can begin as early as bloom; consider preventative fungicide applications, and using the Blueberry Advisory System for notications of increased disease development risk (http://cloud.agroclimate.org/tools/bas/dashboard/disease), also available as an app. Apply Ridomil to help prevent Phytophthora root rot. See HS1156, 2024 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide ((https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/HS380).
Insect Pests
Continue to monitor for blueberry gall midge and spray suggested insecticides when adults are observed. If traps are not used, spray before oral and vegetative bud break, with a second spray approximately 7-10 days after the rst application, following label directions. See UF EDIS Publication ENY-2105, Management of the Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberries in Florida (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/IN1414). Also scout for scales, southern red mites and at mites, ower thrips, and blueberry bud mites, and if observed use applicable control measures. See UF EDIS Publications ENY-1006, Mite Pests of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/in1284) and HS1156, 2024 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide ((https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/HS380) for detailed suggestions.
Weeds
Apply post-emergence herbicide if weeds are at densities that hinder bush growth.
Freeze Protection
Monitor forecasted and actual temperatures and utilize freeze protection strategies as needed. See UF EDIS publication HS968, Protecting Blueberries from Freezes in Florida (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/HS216).
Pruning
Dormant pruning can be performed to maintain appropriate plant structure and size. Removal of approximately 25% of old canes should be done annually beginning when a plant is five to six years old, to promote the growth of new canes. Low branches, weak growth, and damaged wood can also be removed at this time. See UF EDIS publication HS1359, Pruning Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/HS1359).
Managed Bees
Have honey bees (and bumble bees if applicable) delivered; should ideally be placed in the field after 10% bloom but before 20% bloom. On large farms, hives should be distributed throughout the farm to the extent it still allows access to bee providers. Confirm health of colonies upon delivery; at least 8 frames per hive should have adults, and at least 6 frames should have brood in the cells, with good activity into and out of the hives and on the bushes. Consider adding additional honey bee or bumble bee hives if there is a heavy, concentrated bloom across the farm, nearby competing crops or wild plants blooming at the same time, or ongoing poor weather conditions (cold, windy, or overcast). See additional details in EDIS Publication ENY-172, Pollination Best Practices in Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida (https://edis.ifas.u.edu/publication/IN1237).
This Month's Blog Post
Managing Rust in the Evergreen System
Upcoming Events
FBGA Spring Meeting - Safe the Date
March 6, 2025 - UF PSREU, Citra, FL
Contact Details:
Doug Phillips
Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
