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What is wrong with our rhododendron?

aidanking00aidanking00 Posts: 12
in Problem solving
Hello, 

We can't work out what is up with our rhododendron which is not looking happy at all! 
Is there any obvious problem and solution here? It is in ericaceous compost and has plant food for acid loving plants. 

Thanks so much


Posts

  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923
    that looks like over or under watering, but it could also be vine weevils, have you checked the roots?
  • aidanking00aidanking00 Posts: 12
    Thanks. I think it is likely overwatered. I will check the roots also ASAP.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Another casualty of The Beast? Looks like it's been frozen .
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most likely weather.
    They often look like that after a colder winter. It'll probably be ok. It's always harder to keep them right in pots - they need to be kept well watered in dry, hot  or windy weather but sheltered a little over winter to prevent that wet soil [ and roots ] freezing. 
    Much easier in the ground where they just get on with everything the weather chucks at them, although folaige can still get damaged.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JON49JON49 Posts: 3
    Mine looks exactly the same. After removing it from the pot I found vine weevil grubs in the pot. After a lot of reading online someone recommended soaking the root ball in a bucket of water for over 24 hours. This seems to have worked as a lot more grubs came out. 
    Its now in new soil and been sprayed in ultimate bug killer. Not sure if this is going to work but its one last chance.
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    I've been having problems with my Rhodie,looking decidedly sad and spotty.So having read this earlier,I decided to bite the bullet and dig mine up,convinced I would find the vine weevil grubs! However,I think the problem with mine was that it was in a really tight fibrousy ball.So I was out there ages trying to loosen up the roots with a hand fork,great chunks of fibrous stuff came off,and I've now replanted it,in a slightly different spot.Fingers crossed!
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • QasQas Posts: 29
    any update on how they are looking now @aidanking00 , @Valley Gardener , @JON49 ?  would love to see how the plants progressed and what you did after this post?
    thanks
    Qas
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    It's improved no end,water just wasn't getting through all the fibrous stuff.I've watered it with an acid feed regularly,and the leaves are no longer turning brown.
    Until I get a new device I can't send pics,sorry.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • QasQas Posts: 29
    nice and glad it is recovered well! thanks for sharing.
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