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Rhododendron turned yellow

pdolinajpdolinaj Posts: 50
in Problem solving
My rhododendron turned quite yellow this spring and not sure whether it's still alive. Should I replace it or can it be rescued?
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  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Has it been fed and watered?
  • pdolinajpdolinaj Posts: 50
    I fed it just few weeks ago so waiting whether that will help. Other thing I can think of is the soil is not that great and I've put only ericaceous soil around it when I planted it last year. Maybe the roots now grow into the original soil and may not like it? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If the soil's alkaline it certainly won't thrive. 
    When you say the soil's not great, what do you mean by that? Ground needs to be well prepped before planting anything, otherwise it''s a constant struggle to keep plants of any kind thriving.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • pdolinajpdolinaj Posts: 50
    It's planted inside a sleeper bed about 60cm high. The soil the gardeners put in seemed to me like a light brown top soil so I think it's probably rubbish soil. When I planted it last year, I used lots of ericaceous compost and it seemed fine at that time. But now maybe the roots grew over to the bad soil so not happy? not sure
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It looks thirsty and hungry and anaemic to me as thoi it's short of iron and magnesium which its roots can't take up if the soil or water is alkaline.

    You could try giving it a tonic to see if it perks up.  Epsom salts will supply magnesium - 15ml (one good tablespoon) of Epsom salts in 5 litres of water (preferably rain water or distilled water if your tap water is hard) and then poured over the foliage and around the roots.

    The other thing to try is liquid feed for ericaceous plants dissolved according to the instructions and again poured over the foliage and round the roots.  This will make iron available and, between this and the magnesium, your shrub's foliage should green up and get healthy.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Have you had a look at the roots? Mine had similar holes in the leaves and when I repotted it this year, it had vine weevil grubs. Mine was big enough to not show signs of stress but yours is much smaller.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • pdolinajpdolinaj Posts: 50
    Obelixx said:
    It looks thirsty and hungry and anaemic to me as thoi it's short of iron and magnesium which its roots can't take up if the soil or water is alkaline.

    You could try giving it a tonic to see if it perks up.  Epsom salts will supply magnesium - 15ml (one good tablespoon) of Epsom salts in 5 litres of water (preferably rain water or distilled water if your tap water is hard) and then poured over the foliage and around the roots.

    The other thing to try is liquid feed for ericaceous plants dissolved according to the instructions and again poured over the foliage and round the roots.  This will make iron available and, between this and the magnesium, your shrub's foliage should green up and get healthy.
    I've used the Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Continuous Release Plant Food 1 kg granules about 2 weeks ago. Should I still use the liquid version of it? I may still have epsom salts, will have a look. Thanks.
  • pdolinajpdolinaj Posts: 50
    WillDB said:
    Have you had a look at the roots? Mine had similar holes in the leaves and when I repotted it this year, it had vine weevil grubs. Mine was big enough to not show signs of stress but yours is much smaller.
    Good point! How do you get rid of them? Do I need to dig out the plant?
  • pdolinajpdolinaj Posts: 50
    The problem was the soil. Looks like Rhododendrons can't take any alkaline soil at all. I mixed it with acidic soil when planting but that seemed to work only for about a year.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - it's the usual reason for them failing, along with dehydration.
    Adding ericaceous compost or soil won't change the pH for any length of time. Neutral soil is fine for them, but once it head to the alkaline end of neutral, it's never great for them. 
    Better to pick something that will be happy in your soil and conditions. You'll get plenty of suggestions if you want to find another shrub  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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