The growers in Florida are responsible for the maintenance of blueberries during the entire year. It is the responsibility of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to remind producers of the various management alternatives that they need to keep in mind for the month of September.
In addition to monitoring and managing leaf diseases, producers should be actively searching for algal stem blotch. On farms where there is active management for bacterial wilt, producers should continue to use a phosphorous acid product by banded bed treatments or through irrigation on a monthly basis.
Growers of blueberries should be on the lookout for flea beetles, larval citrus root weevil (take off plants that are dying or dead and examine the roots and the soil or bark surrounding them), larval flatheaded borer, chilli thrips, and spider mites. In the event that the insects are present, they have to implement the required control measures.
In terms of weed control, farmers should apply a pre-emergent herbicide to cold season weeds (tank mix with a post-emergent herbicide if the density of the weeds is such that it inhibits the growth of the bush).