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Dry and crispy Rhododendron

xamyvaloxxamyvalox Posts: 31
in Plants
Hi all

Bought a dwarf rhododendron last summer which was beautiful. In the autumn the leaves turned a lovely red colour and still looked healthy. Since venturing back into the garden over the last few weeks I've noticed that the leaves have stayed red and are now very dry, crispy and curled up. The plant still has 'buds' on the end that are firm, but I don't know if these are flower buds or leaves? Please see attached images - is it dead? I've repotted in new compost in case that was the issue and checked the roots which aren't pot bound. The pot has always been well watered - could it be frost damage? Any ideas welcome as I really don't want to lose it. Thanks. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They need shade/semi  shade,  and water, to do well,  especially in a pot.
    What variety is it? Some do get a rusty colour at certain times of year, although usually underneath the leaves, but if it isn't one of those, then the damage was done last year. If the foliage is crispy, that's definitely not a good sign.
    They need loads of water in late summer/early autumn to create and sustain the flower buds. 
    They aren't affected by frost, but if it was allowed to get dried out at any point, it'll have struggled to thrive again. Rain doesn't always get through the foliage either, even in wet areas where rainfall is persistent and regular, so you have to check them all the time when in pots.
    Compost is no use - you need a soil based product for pots, for any plant that's staying potted long term, but especially shrubs.  :)

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



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • xamyvaloxxamyvalox Posts: 31
    Fairygirl said:
    They need shade/semi  shade,  and water, to do well,  especially in a pot.
    What variety is it? Some do get a rusty colour at certain times of year, although usually underneath the leaves, but if it isn't one of those, then the damage was done last year. If the foliage is crispy, that's definitely not a good sign.
    They need loads of water in late summer/early autumn to create and sustain the flower buds. 
    They aren't affected by frost, but if it was allowed to get dried out at any point, it'll have struggled to thrive again. Rain doesn't always get through the foliage either, even in wet areas where rainfall is persistent and regular, so you have to check them all the time when in pots.
    Compost is no use - you need a soil based product for pots, for any plant that's staying potted long term, but especially shrubs.  :)

    Thank you - I wonder if it'd perhaps scorched from the sun last year then? It seemed to thrive until Autumn time where it is though. 

    Does this look salvageable or dead?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It doesn't look good, but you can have a go at rejuvenating it. You could re pot it - the soil needs refreshed each year anyway to keep it healthy, and see what it's like. Get it out of the sun anyway, and water it thoroughly - making sure it is actually taking up the water properly, then make sure it doesn't go short of water over the coming months  :)

    The vast majority of rhodos need a cooler, damper environment, with reasonable shade. That's why they grow so well here in the west of Scotland, and up here generally. We have the perfect environment for them, along with places like the Lake District etc.
    If you can't give them that sort of situation, it becomes difficult, especially with potted ones. If it's been exposed to a lot of sun, that won't have done it any good. They just fry and dehydrate.
    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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