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Botrytis Blight in Cranberry

How to identify and treat botrytis blight in Cranberry.

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Cranberry care requirements

water
Requires consistently wet to soggy soil; standing water or bog conditions are ideal; 1–2 inches weekly minimum; water year-round
soil
Very acidic, peaty soil (pH 4.0–5.5); must be well-draining yet moisture-retentive; sand and peat mixture works well
light
Full sun (6–8 hours daily); adequate light ensures better fruiting and berry development
symptoms

Symptoms to look for in Cranberry

  • fiber_manual_recordFuzzy grey-brown mould on flowers, leaves, or stems
  • fiber_manual_recordWater-soaked spots that turn brown and mushy
  • fiber_manual_recordBlighted flower buds that fail to open
help

Common causes in Cranberry

Caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea (grey mould), which thrives in cool, humid conditions with poor air circulation, often spreading rapidly on damaged or ageing plant tissue.

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How to treat botrytis blight in Cranberry

Remove and destroy all affected plant material immediately, improve airflow around the plant, and apply a fungicide labelled for Botrytis if the infection is spreading.

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Preventing botrytis blight in Cranberry

Avoid overhead watering and overcrowding, water at soil level, deadhead spent flowers promptly, and ensure good ventilation, especially in humid weather.