This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
S. O. S - Sick Rhodedendron/Azalea
WeekendPruner
Posts: 28
Hello
I planted a Azalea in June with little knowledge of its ericaceous needs.
Over the last month I have tried to bring it back to better health with water, azalea fertiliser, iron sulphate and recently mixed in some acid compost around the plant, leaf mulch on top soil and also some bark.
Since doing the last 3 items, the plant has shown even more signs of decline despite this being ideal for the plant.
I have the "Picture this" app which is telling me the plant is very sick. Symptoms ranging from lack of fertiliser, lace bugs, underwatering and brown spot depending on where I point the camera on the plant.
The plant is in a seemingly competitive spot.
Really not sure what to do with it when there are so many things going wrong.
The picture actually make it look better than it is:
Curled leaves
Brown spot
Yellowed leaves
Lace Bugs
Dried out leaves
Any help and pointers are much much appreciated. It's my favourite plant in the garden. 😞
I'd suggest 40-50% of the plant looks in bad shape.
.
Some signs of new life.
The small crop of leaves which look ok
I planted a Azalea in June with little knowledge of its ericaceous needs.
Over the last month I have tried to bring it back to better health with water, azalea fertiliser, iron sulphate and recently mixed in some acid compost around the plant, leaf mulch on top soil and also some bark.
Since doing the last 3 items, the plant has shown even more signs of decline despite this being ideal for the plant.
I have the "Picture this" app which is telling me the plant is very sick. Symptoms ranging from lack of fertiliser, lace bugs, underwatering and brown spot depending on where I point the camera on the plant.
The plant is in a seemingly competitive spot.
Really not sure what to do with it when there are so many things going wrong.
The picture actually make it look better than it is:
Curled leaves
Brown spot
Yellowed leaves
Lace Bugs
Dried out leaves
Any help and pointers are much much appreciated. It's my favourite plant in the garden. 😞
I'd suggest 40-50% of the plant looks in bad shape.
. Some signs of new life.
The small crop of leaves which look ok
0
Posts
Also popped some liquid fertiliser into 10l of water and gave the plant a dowse.
🤞
Take no notice of your App
Not looking as good as it should.
Do you know if you have acid/neutral/alkaline soil?
Test kits are available, or you can pop your postcode into this DEFRA sponsored site and it will give you a rough idea
https://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/
Click on Search and enter your postcode.
PS - only works for England
Never a good idea to feed any sick plant - just water while it's recovering - ideally rainwater.
If your soil is quite alkaline, then you'll only succeed with it if you grow it in a pot with ericaceous compost.
My soil is only slightly acidic according to the above site, and they grow well around here.
The mix of chemicals you've put on it isn't helping.
If you soil is alkaline then it needs to be in a pot.
If your soil is neutral to acidic then it should recover.
If your soil is suitable then most likely not enough water
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I have noticed x2 Rhods and a Cameila growing very well on the corner of my street so I would guess soil isn't the issue despite not testing the PH levels.
I used 2 caps of Azalea liquid/10litres of water. Prob not the best idea. Best under guidelines on the bottle another half cap would have been fine for a "sensitive plant"
Is it possible the prolonged lack of water is now producing the symptoms instead of something that's happened recently?
If you give it a couple of watering cans full about twice a week it will help flush out all the stuff you put on it and with autumn now here it should.... get plenty of rain.
You may find some of the top growth has died back next spring which is a typical reaction to insufficient water - it's the top bit that dies back first as water has to travel farther to get there.
If we get a dry spring/summer - 2 cans - twice a week should keep it happy.
A good mulch in the spring will help retain moisture
It should be ok
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
It's been a big learning curve in my 1st year of gardening but enjoying it. I know there will be many more trials and errors ahead.
A little more research into Rhods and Azaleas and I've ended up with 2 others. Hopefully giving these a better chance from the start with the right soil and a little leaf mulch under the bark.
Rhodos/azaleas grow like weeds here, but it isn't as simple as it used to be because of the weather we've had in the last couple of years, and the site wasn't very hospitable for it, or the timing of planting. That's what matters more than anything -ground prep and conditions. Never skimp on the prep
If that was mine, I'd take off some of the dead stems to make it easier for the p lant to sustain the root system, but the temps are slowing now [5 degrees here where I am last night - and 6 just now] and it'll be plenty wet enough soon too, so you can probably just leave them.
If you plant those other ones out, soak the hole first before you plant, and make sure the plant itself is also thoroughly soaked, and isn't root bound. In autumn/winter, the ground should be fine though. If you plant in summer, in an already dry site, it's never easy. The ground conditions have to suit - it'll be next spring/summer before that shrub is properly established.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
All the best.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
This app seems to have lead me astray. Going to stick to this forum. Experience trumps technology.
Seeing what does well for neighbours is one of the best diagnostic tests. Talking to them is even better,
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I think you're doing fine though. Just make sure the prep is good for the other two plants. They're very easy here in the west of Scotland once established, and don't need too much care and attention as long as the soil's kept happy.
If you can get it all rejuvenated over the next couple of years, the plants will keep thriving well by themselves
I don't know if you can set up a compost bin? I don't think you have a lot of suitable plant material to add, but you have a decent amount of grass. If you can add plenty of dry material [cardboard/paper] and any kitchen scraps, that will give you another useful additions to the bed. I expect other flat residents might contribute too if they know.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...