Well, I am no expert, but I think we have a serious problem. It's gone from healthy looking to this in the space of a week or 2. When I have looked it up, browning leaves can be caused by quite a few different things. Even the new growth is starting to die off. I think it's beyond the point of no return but curious if you have any thoughts (other than thoughts that we shouldn't have plants at all as we can't look after them )
Aww. Is it potted in special ericaceous compost for acidic plants and has it been kept watered? I'm not an expert. But that is a sad sight.
It is certainly sad, I didn't know about the soil until after were potted it, we did buy a specific feed for rhododendrons which I maybe naively thought would balance out the soil. Lack of watering isn't the problem, I wondered initially if it could be getting too much.
Oh no, it’s not looking good. I know you moved it from a sunny spot — does it get direct sunlight? Mine never gets any direct light. It’s maybe been too hot the past week or so. This is my first rhododendron so hopefully someone else can advise.
Well, I am no expert, but I think we have a serious problem. It's gone from healthy looking to this in the space of a week or 2. When I have looked it up, browning leaves can be caused by quite a few different things. Even the new growth is starting to die off. I think it's beyond the point of no return but curious if you have any thoughts (other than thoughts that we shouldn't have plants at all as we can't look after them )
So sad. Yes a very serious problem I suspect that the compost it was originally in has at some time dried out. Some of these newer type composts are almost impossible to re wet unless the whole pot is left soaking in a bucket until completely sodden. That was a big very healthy plant put in a small ornamental planter. Really difficult to get water to the soil under all that leaf and flower. A shrub that size I would give at least a watering can full of water morning and evening in this heat...at least till it cools down.
I am presuming the pot does have drain holes in the bottom ...to ensure it hasn't drowned.
We grew many very large Rhodo.s in our old garden, in dappled, moist shade in the ground. Rhodo's can grow ginormous. pics below.
The pot does have drainage, it has a about a 22mm hole in the center of the base. I am thinking it would be best for me to go out at the weekend and buy some ericaceous compost and then re-pot it. i can also drill some additional draining holes
Would it be best to cut it back or just remove all of the obviously dying leaves etc...
I am not willing to give up on it just yet.
btw, i am slightly jealous of your pictures above, if that's your garden, then wow :-)
Havent got as much space to play with, so just built a small planter (ignore the bits of sleepers on the right, i am considering extending it to create another planter so we can cover more of the fence with climbers)
I'd pot into the correct compost as a matter of urgency, and cut off the dead leaves as you plan... and pray. I think rhodos can take quite a bit of abuse. One of my potted azaleas was snapped in half by flying debris when a neighbour's greenhouse came apart in a storm, and bounced back. But azaleas are very easy to grow I suppose
Re-potted in the correct soil and a little trim back, its still showing signs of new growth, so i am optimistic that it will recover.
When i removed it from the pot i discovered that it could have been that the pot wasn't draining well at all, i have drilled a few more holes and tested that the water is draining out far better.
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When I have looked it up, browning leaves can be caused by quite a few different things.
Even the new growth is starting to die off.
I think it's beyond the point of no return but curious if you have any thoughts (other than thoughts that we shouldn't have plants at all as we can't look after them
Yes a very serious problem
I suspect that the compost it was originally in has at some time dried out.
Some of these newer type composts are almost impossible to re wet unless the whole pot is left soaking in a bucket until completely sodden.
That was a big very healthy plant put in a small ornamental planter.
Really difficult to get water to the soil under all that leaf and flower.
A shrub that size I would give at least a watering can full of water morning and evening in this heat...at least till it cools down.
I am presuming the pot does have drain holes in the bottom ...to ensure it hasn't drowned.
We grew many very large Rhodo.s in our old garden, in dappled, moist shade in the ground.
Rhodo's can grow ginormous.
pics below.
Havent got as much space to play with, so just built a small planter (ignore the bits of sleepers on the right, i am considering extending it to create another planter so we can cover more of the fence with climbers)
And stunning pics, @Silver surfer
I'd pot into the correct compost as a matter of urgency, and cut off the dead leaves as you plan... and pray. I think rhodos can take quite a bit of abuse. One of my potted azaleas was snapped in half by flying debris when a neighbour's greenhouse came apart in a storm, and bounced back. But azaleas are very easy to grow I suppose
When i removed it from the pot i discovered that it could have been that the pot wasn't draining well at all, i have drilled a few more holes and tested that the water is draining out far better.
Thank you all for your advice and guidance