Yellow Leaves on an Autumn Bliss From Acidic Soil

Growth and Zone

• Autumn Bliss raspberries bear their fruit on long, flexible canes, which also produce their foliage. New canes grow from the crowns of the plants every spring, produce fruit in their second year and then die back. Foliage on these canes yellows and dies back as the canes die. Autumn Bliss raspberries grow only in U.S. Department of Agriculture Growing Zones 3 to 9, so yellowing in Zones 1 to 2 may be a sign of plant death from cold weather.

Sun and Air

• Autumn Bliss raspberries do best in full sun, though they'll tolerate partial or filtered shade. Deep, full shade produces yellow, shriveled foliage and restricts fruit growth. Bright sun in USDA Zones 10 and 11 burns the foliage to yellow and brown.

Soil and Drainage

• Autumn Bliss raspberries require rich, quick-draining and only slightly acidic soil, with an ideal pH of 5.6 to 6.2. The University of Maine Cooperative extension recommends testing the soil before planting, and adding ground limestone to acidic soils to balance the pH. Highly acidic soil burns raspberry roots and foliage. Mix organic compost into the soil at planting and every spring to increase drainage and dilute acid in the soil. Autumn Bliss raspberries fail in deeply acidic, tight or poor soil, and in standing water.

Water and Nutrition

• Water Autumn Bliss raspberry bushes with 2 inches of water every week to keep foliage lush and healthy. Use balanced 10-10-10 granular fertilizer, per manufacturer directions, to avoid further acidification in the soil. High-nitrogen fertilizers such as 10-5-5 feature high acid contents and exacerbate the problem. Don't get fertilizer on the roots, canes or foliage of the bushes, as the granules burn the plants.