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California Gardening

What is causing my Azalea Problem

15 years ago

I have been having a problem with some of my azalea plants. The bottom of this plant is full of dark brown leaves. The plant was planted about 2 months ago and is drip irrigated for 30 minutes every 10 days. The garden is in San Diego. Is the problem not enough or too much fertilizer or not enough or too much water or what? I need help badly. I have included a picture of the plant on the following site. I am new at attaching pictures to forums so please forgive me if the photo is too large.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/Polyanna_01/FRANKSGARDEN18.jpg

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Comments (9)

jean001
15 years ago
Where is the dripper placed in relation to the original rootball?

Also, what is the output of the dripper?
plaz_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
There are two drippers per plant. Both drippers are located under the foliage at the outer edge of the root ball.

The two drippers put out a total of 5 gallons in 30 minutes.
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miketrees
15 years ago
I wonder if that is a bit of fertilizer burn?
youreit
15 years ago
Here's your pic for easier access, Plaz. :)

{{gwi:541595}}

Good luck with your Azalea!

Brenda
deep___roots
15 years ago
Azaleas will drop some lower leaves. The plant in the picture looks green & healthy.
Azaleas like dappled shade. Feed with an azalea fertilizer product in Spring/late Spring after they flower. Also at this time, prune to a rounded shape if desired. Also work some leaf mold or peat product or compost shallowly into the soil if desired. In Fall, start to apply 0-10-10 flowering fertilizer monthly until mid-Winter.
Your watering seems maybe a bit much, but not a problem if your drainage is good. If grown in pots, these plants benefit from flushing (watering, letting the water drain, then watering again). This removes any salt build-up.
jean001
15 years ago
You wrote:
"Both drippers are located under the foliage at the outer edge of the root ball."

Then most likely the rootball is too dry. At least one dripper must be on top of the rootball.
wanda
15 years ago
Did you prepare the soil with an acidic amendment when it was planted? It looks a bit chlorotic.

Also, you mentioned fertilizer. What kind? I usually don't fertilize any newly planted shrub, unless it's just to throw a handful of bone meal in the hole, or some people like to use starter fertilzer. The rippling/bumpy leaves could be due to the plant trying to put out new growth too fast before the roots got established.

wanda
angelcub
15 years ago
At least you have leaves. Mine just up and croaked! No leaves, just a small twig. : ( I don't think it got enough water.

Diana
kat58
15 years ago
Diana... you and me both hahahha! I planted two and within a month the flowers and leaves started turning brown, fell off and the plants died.....at least they look dead. I haven't pulled them out, figure I'll leave them until next spring in case they suddenly decide to come back to life lol!

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