Elaeocarpus Decipiens (Japanese Blueberry)Help!

[Mmbiff]

Hello,
I have six Japanese Blueberry trees along my fence line that are not very happy and I need help diagnosing the issues. They were planted approximately 1.5 years ago and had a great season after planting. They looked great; dense foliage, flowered and berries came during the season. Now 5 of the six are defoliating, especially in the centers of the trees, they have some bare branches. The leaves have yellow to brown tips, the flower buds came through but turned brown and died in some places, and no blueberries came through.
I tested the soil ph and it is 7.
I would love to revitalize these poor trees, any tips would be welcome! Thank you!

 

[Oliver Buckle]

How has your weather been this year? I have seen a few threads about trees of all sorts suffering because of drought and heat and the news says Utah salt lakes are at their lowest recorded level. On the other hand there have been floods in Oman and Australia, which I think of as dry; It is all well out of kilter.

 

[Mmbiff]

It has been hot, as we are in Southern California we have had drought conditions for years. We have the trees on a drip system, but I have considered that perhaps they need more water so I have been supplementing one a week or so with the hose.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I must go and have a look at a map, I thought San Diego was in the north side of mid-California, at least I knew it was California

Look, I don't know, I am only guessing, but my feeling is that most plants like consistent conditions, and a hose once a week is a bit like a flash flood, a bit more than half the amount of water twice a week sounds better, just over a quarter every couple of days even better.
But as I say this may just be me, it is a 'thing' of mine, someone said he watered his tomatoes 'At least once every couple of days', I like to water mine every day, morning and evening if I can manage it. Not that I flood them, little and often.

 

[cpp gardener]

They don't look too bad, so they should be salvageable.
What is the precipitation rate of your drippers? How long do you run them? How much sun does it get?
It does look like they need more water but without knowing how much they're getting now.