Rhododendron recently planted drooping leaves.

pr1970 · April 2023

Hi all

planted this rhododendron a few weeks ago and it’s been a pretty sad state ever since. Tried watering, even left a dripping hose on top of the root ball but it’s not happy. The garden centre did say it looked like it had weevils but should clear up once planted. Any ideas? Thank you.

Fairygirl · April 2023

Not impressed with the garden centre @pr1970 ! I hope you didn't pay a lot for it...
However, a dripping hose isn't ideal for watering - a good can ful of water every few days is the way to water a newly planted shrub. They're shallow rooting, so the last thing you want to do is encourage roots to stay near the surface. What they do need is good, humus rich soil and plenty of regular additions to that, which helps the general structure.
It's also a large specimen, so that makes it harder to establish, especially at this time of year. Some have naturally drooping foliage, so check and see if that's the case with the variety you have.
It also looks like you have it in a sunny site which isn't ideal, but that could be the timing of the pic. They are best in a bit of shade - especially if you live in a hotter, drier part of the country. Once established, they can cope better, but they do best in cooler, dappled shade with plenty of moisture and good drainage.
I'm assuming your soil is also suitable? Neutral to acidic is what most of them prefer.

bédé · April 2023

I agree it looks pretty sad. A few small bites but not necssarily vine weevils. Progress of the growing points is the thing to watch. Wait, hope and complain, In that order.

BTW you can drown a rhodie with too much water.

pr1970 · April 2023

Fairygirl said:

Not impressed with the garden centre @pr1970 ! I hope you didn't pay a lot for it...
However, a dripping hose isn't ideal for watering - a good can ful of water every few days is the way to water a newly planted shrub. They're shallow rooting, so the last thing you want to do is encourage roots to stay near the surface. What they do need is good, humus rich soil and plenty of regular additions to that, which helps the general structure.
It's also a large specimen, so that makes it harder to establish, especially at this time of year. Some have naturally drooping foliage, so check and see if that's the case with the variety you have.
It also looks like you have it in a sunny site which isn't ideal, but that could be the timing of the pic. They are best in a bit of shade - especially if you live in a hotter, drier part of the country. Once established, they can cope better, but they do best in cooler, dappled shade with plenty of moisture and good drainage.
I'm assuming your soil is also suitable? Neutral to acidic is what most of them prefer.

Thanks for that. I did leave the hose for about 2 hours and I’ve checked a few times and the moisture level meter is on maximum. I did use ericaceous compost mixed in the hole. We also have a couple of other rhododendrons but like you say they are in a shady part of the garden. We are in the south east and it’s on the north side of the garden so will get the sun although it’s below a couple of large shrubs that have yet to fully spring into life yet so was hopeful that they would provide shade.
think it’s an idea to move it, again(!?)

Fairygirl · April 2023

Just to add - the vine weevil damage isn't necessarily a problem - it's mostly aesthetic on mature plants, and the grubs have never been a problem for any of mine. They're the thing that does the damage by eating the roots. Did you check the condition of the rootball when you planted? They can spread to other parts of your garden and could cause more of an issue there.

pr1970 · April 2023

Fairygirl said:

Just to add - the vine weevil damage isn't necessarily a problem - it's mostly aesthetic on mature plants, and the grubs have never been a problem for any of mine. They're the thing that does the damage by eating the roots. Did you check the condition of the rootball when you planted? They can spread to other parts of your garden and could cause more of an issue there.

Yes they did say that when I purchased but also I didn’t check the root ball but it did fall apart a bit when I lifted it out of the pot. I’d watered it in the pot and it’s quite large and about 1/3rd of the root soil dropped off as I lifted it out.

Thanks again

Pete.8 · April 2023

Did you buy the plant in a pot, or did you move it from elsewhere then ask in a GC what the problem is?

Drooping leaves after planting is almost always due to insufficient water getting to the leaves causing them to droop.
This usually happens if the plant has been moved and the roots have been damaged which is why we usually prune back the top growth, so there are fewer leaves the need water.
If it was in a pot, then it needs a lot more water as @Fairygirl says.
I don't think it has weevils of any sort.

pr1970 · April 2023

Pete.8 said:

Did you buy the plant in a pot, or did you move it from elsewhere then ask in a GC what the problem is?

Drooping leaves after planting is almost always due to insufficient water getting to the leaves causing them to droop.
This usually happens if the plant has been moved and the roots have been damaged which is why we usually prune back the top growth, so there are fewer leaves the need water.
If it was in a pot, then it needs a lot more water as @Fairygirl says.
I don't think it has weevils of any sort.

Yes was from a pot grown plant , see my response to @Fairygirl about the planting. I wonder if the roots were damaged aswell.
thanks

Pete.8 · April 2023

Yes - I spotted your post just after I posted my reply

Usually when you buy a plant from a GC the root ball will remain in tact when it comes out of the pot. and you should see masses of roots filling the compost and holding it all together.
If the compost fell away as you took it out, it would seem to indicate that it was only recently put into that pot and the roots haven't had time to settle and grow.

I think you should either return it and get your money back.
Or - give it lots of water and cross your fingers.
If it doesn't respond, then you could cut back the top growth (losing all flowers this year) and hope the roots can supply what's left of the leaves with sufficient water

Fairygirl · April 2023

I agree with @Pete.8 - if the soil dropped away when you lifted it out, it's only just been moved into the pot. It could have been quite pot bound at that point, hence it being re potted, but that means it could have been quite stressed too.
I also agree re @Pete.8's advice about to proceed - pruning back will certainly help with the roots' ability to support the top growth.
I don't think that should ever have been offered for sale in a respectable GC though - that would be my first port of call.

bédé · April 2023

There is a difference between "pot grown" and "in a pot". Rogue suppliers take advantage of the fact that most buyers don't know this.

Rhododendron recently planted drooping leaves.

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