Rhododendron has orange powder

Jomoloney16 · June 2018

hi
my new planted rhododendron has now got a yellow/orange dust on the leaves that wipes off but is there a cure for this or is it dying.. the ground is kept moist and I mixed sulphur soil into the ground Before planting as my soil is alkaline. Images of front and back of leaf

Thanks

fidgetbones · June 2018

There are a number of rhododendrons that have the brown furry coating ( called farina, I think). It is normal and a feature of the leaves.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2017/feb/23/rhododendrons-forget-the-flowers-check-out-the-leaves

Fairygirl · June 2018

If your soil's alkaline, they'll always struggle. Better to have some raised beds, or very large containers for them so that you can control the conditions more easily.
You can't permanently change your soil, and they need neutral to acid.

mark.coward · June 2022

Hi there,

Did you ever figure this out in the end? I have exactly the same on my Rhododendron and i havent been able to find anywhere on the internet that looks the same as mine and yours.

Many thanks

steephill · June 2022

It is a feature of some rhodos and is called indumentum, see here for more info https://www.rhododendron.org/blog/?view=plink&id=181

It is not a disease or fault, just nature doing its thing

mark.coward · June 2022

steephill said:

It is a feature of some rhodos and is called indumentum, see here for more info https://www.rhododendron.org/blog/?view=plink&id=181
It is not a disease or fault, just nature doing its thing

Amazing, thank you so much for this. I was really worried. Im new to gardening so trying to find my way a little. I will sleep better tonight. Many thanks

Rhododendron has orange powder

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