Help revitalize dying azaleas
zachmatthews
14 years ago
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morz8 - Washington Coast
14 years agozachmatthews
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Dying Satsuki azalea needed help fast!
Comments (3)Hi Lucy, Thanks for your reply. I was really hoping to learn from your expertise in bonsai art after reading your other replies to fellow bonsai enthusiasts. After reading your mail, I simply refused to give up the Satsuki azalea. I bought some new soil (for tropical bonsai), rapeseed cake organic fertilizer, and Schultz insect spray from the Bonsai Boy.com. I have since then placed the satsuki azalea outdoor as the Spring is finally here in CO. I put a layer of new soil on top and water the bonsai regularly. The bonsai seems to spring back to life, as I can see new shoots and leaves are coming out of those previously broken branches. I have also not seen any bugs after using the insect spray. However, most leaves still looks dried and blacken to some extent. Some even curled up which I don't know why. Maybe you can help explain this to me? Also, I bought a Dwarf Jade bonsai recently from the same online company, I found some little bugs resembling tiny flies after 2 days the bonsai arrived. I wonder if the bonsai is already infected with bugs before it was sent to me. Nonetheless, I quickly sprayed some Schultz insect spray on the Dwarf Jade. It doesnÂt seem to eradicate the bugs totally and the leaves are starting to fall off (eventhough the leaves still look nice and not dried). I water the plant 3 days once as according to the instruction sheet. Please let me know what you think of this situation I am having now. Thank you very, very much for your time....See MoreAzaleas dying.......need help.
Comments (0)I am having trouble with my Azaleas dying. I will have one very healthy plant next to one that is turning brown. The plant seems to start dying on one side and then over a week or two it spreads to the rest of the plan. I have had this problem for the last year or two. I am posting a picture I took of one of the azaleas. The sun was so bright the picture is washed a little, but I hope you can see the problem with the plant. Thanks, Image link:...See MoreDying Azaleas?
Comments (9)Many people cannot 'see' lacebugs due to their interesting camouflage. What is seen, however, is the result of months of feeding seen by the loss of chlorophyll as well as the blackish fecal droppings on the underside of the leaves. They are truly difficult to spot as they remain very still on the underside of the leaves. You would not be alone in overlooking them. Sevin is not a good choice for pest control. One reason is that this particular insecticide is well known to cause an unwanted population explosion of other pests, especially spider mites. I wonder if your azaleas might not be suffering from those, too. Sevin is also one of the most toxic of all pesticides to bees and other pollinators. Sevin is also a wide spectrum pesticide and is harmful to any beneficial insects that may be trying to help you control real pests. It's deadly to earthworms and harmful to other non-target wildlife. Last but least, it is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which makes it a true hazard for warm blooded animals....like you. Sevin should never be used around households with the elderly, those who are on medications that stress the liver (just about all of them), the young, pregnant, men or women trying to have a family, pets....the list goes on. You honestly have two choices, in my opinion. Azaleas respond wonderfully to what is called "rejuvenation pruning". This procedure calls for cutting the plants ALL of the way back to the ground...leaving stumps no greater than 6 inches (or less). Shocking? Yes, at first, but your azaleas (if they are still alive and have any energy left) will respond with amazing growth in a short time. Pest free growth, as long as you keep up with the lacebugs. I've recommended renovation pruning for azaleas (and lots of other kinds of woody plants) hundreds of times. It can be hugely successful. Your other option is to clip a few of those dead looking branches to see if your plant is mostly dead at the bottom or just sulking. If dead....they should be yanked and put to the curb. If not dead, cut them to the ground and let them regrow. I've had the most luck controlling these pests by using applications of horticultural oil at various times of the year. Oil applications must be applied to the underside of the leaves, where the adults, eggs, and nymphs hang out. Horticultural oils are considered safe to use around children and pets. They work by physically smothering the pest (all stages) rather than by poisoning....See MoreHelp With Dying Azalea
Comments (1)It looks like dieback. According to my research, "Azaleas with similar symptoms are more likely to be infected by the fungus Phomopsis species. Typically, dying branches (stem dieback) begin to appear on an otherwise healthy plant. The leaves die and can remain attached to the plant until late summer. Usually a single branch on an established plant is affected. On azaleas the discolored wood under the bark appears chocolate brown. Reduce stress to the plants by planting in partial shade and watering during dry periods. Drought stress and freeze injury may predispose azaleas to infection. Avoid wounding the plant. Prune infected branches well below all discolored wood and dispose of dead plant material. Clean pruning tools between cuts. For azaleas, fungicide sprays containing either thiophanate-methyl or mancozeb can be used."...See Morezachmatthews
14 years agodiggerb2
14 years agomorz8 - Washington Coast
14 years agoMarly Degonia
7 years agoluis_pr
7 years ago
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