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FREE "Better Water Book: A Holistic Guide to pH Management, Soil Health, and Sustainable Agriculture"
Complete guide to pH management, soil biology, and sustainable agriculture with case studies, technical information, and proven strategies - instant download when you subscribe!
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Blueberry Success:The Critical pH Factor
Research-backed pH management to maximize your profits
Blueberries are one of the most pH-sensitive crops you can grow — and your irrigation water could be quietly pushing your soil pH up season after season.
At CTC Waterworks, we've helped orchard and berry growers tackle hidden irrigation problems for 40+ years. This guide explains why your water pH matters, what research says, and how a simple sulfur burner can help protect your soil, your yield, and your bottom line.
1: Why Blueberries Need Acidic Soil
"Blueberries thrive in strongly acidic soils, ideally between pH 4.5 and 5.5. When soil pH drifts above 5.5, iron, manganese, and other micronutrients become less available, leading to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and poor berry quality. Even if your soil starts acidic, alkaline irrigation water can undo your work."
Every irrigation you run affects your soil's long-term pH.
2: The Hidden Risk — High Bicarbonate Irrigation Water
Think of bicarbonates as tiny pH "buffers" floating in your water. When you irrigate with high-bicarbonate water, these compounds slowly but steadily neutralize the acidity in your soil. It's like adding baking soda to your blueberry beds, drop by drop, season after season. Even if your soil pH starts perfect, alkaline irrigation water can gradually push it out of the ideal range.
"Irrigation water with high bicarbonate levels can gradually increase soil pH over time, making nutrients less available to acid-loving crops like blueberries."
Test your irrigation water's bicarbonate levels — not just soil pH. High-bicarbonate water can undo years of soil acidification work.
3: Iron Chlorosis — How to Spot It
"Iron chlorosis is one of the most common nutrient problems in blueberries grown on soils or irrigated with water that has high pH or high bicarbonates. When root-zone pH rises above 5.5, iron becomes less soluble and plants show yellowing between leaf veins — classic iron deficiency."
If you see pale leaves or weak growth, check your water pH and bicarbonates.
Healthy: Dark green leaves, vigorous growth
Iron Chlorosis: Yellowing between leaf veins, stunted growth
4: Drip Irrigation & Emitter Plugging
"In high-pH water, calcium and magnesium precipitate out as carbonates, which can clog drip emitters and reduce system uniformity. This means less consistent watering and fertilizer distribution — both of which directly affect berry size and quality."
Sulfur burners help prevent emitter clogging by dissolving carbonates inline — so your system stays clean, efficient, and uniform.
❌ High-pH Water Problems:
- • Clogged emitters
- • Uneven water distribution
- • Poor fertilizer efficiency
- • Reduced berry quality
✅ With pH Management:
- • Clean, efficient emitters
- • Uniform water application
- • Better nutrient uptake
- • Consistent berry size & quality
5: Sulfur Burners — A Safer Solution
"Inline sulfur burners generate sulfurous acid from elemental sulfur, providing a safe, controlled method to reduce irrigation water pH, neutralize bicarbonates, and deliver sulfate sulfur to the crop. Growers appreciate not having to handle bulk sulfuric acid — and the system runs automatically inline."
CTC Waterworks now offers easy automation upgrades for hands-free operation
Why Choose CTC Sulfur Burners for Blueberries:
Ready to Protect Your Blueberry Investment?
Don't let alkaline water steal your profits.
Trusted by 1000+ growers nationwide • 40+ years of proven results