PJM Rhododendrons dying???
19 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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- 19 years ago
- 19 years ago
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Third PJM Rhodi Dying
Comments (4)Actually PJM is a group of sister seedlings out of Weston Nurseries. Members of the PJM group are among the hardiest rhododendrons in cultivation. They are cold hardy and also tolerant of heat and sun. The prevention for phytophthora is good drainage. Some varieties are more vulnerable such as Chionoides, Catawbiense Album, and Nova Zembla, while some are more resistant such as Roseum Elegans, Scintillation, and PJM. Dry root balls are very common and are a major killer of rhododendrons that are not properly planted. The best way to diagnose Phytophthora root rot is by looking at the roots of dying plants. The roots will reddish-brown, brittle and often limited to the upper portion of the media in a container or very close to the soil surface (upper 2 inches). The reddish-brown discoloration advances to the larger roots and eventually to the lower part of the main stem. Phytophthora root rot is favored by high soil moisture and warm soil temperatures. The disease does not occur as frequently and may not be as severe on well-drained sandy soils as in heavy clays or poorly drained soils, etc. The disease is common and severe in areas where run-off water, rainwater from roofs, etc. collects around plant roots. Setting woody plants deeper than the soil level in the nursery or container, over-watering plants, or long periods of heavy rain also favor disease develop especially in shallow soils with underlying rock or compacted hard pans....See Morepjm rhododendron leaf beginning to curl up
Comments (2)Peavee; Suggestion; Take a ride to MOBOT in St.Louis and check to see what they are doing correctly with thier Rhododendrons, ask those folks what they did to make them grow so well . Are yours in a raised bed?? sitting in a "water well", clay soil, what medium, Ph value, pine bark mulch, only soil, etc - give us more info....See MorePJM Rhododendron habits
Comments (3)I have two PJM Rhodos. One is quite large and receives much more sun than the other. Both tend to wilt easily in the heat and they are grown in a well draining sandy loam. The large plant has developed rusty red leaves under the current years growth. This has happened for the past two years. The plant seems healthy and has set many flower buds for next year. I don't know if the two plants are the same variety but the smaller one is growing in the shade of an 10 ft. tall Eastern Redbud. What could be causing these red leaves?...See MoreDying PJM
Comments (1)First, adding sulfur doesn't mean the pH is correct. The pH must be measured and adjusted. The PJMs need an acidic pH, not sulfur. Sulfur is used to adjust the pH. If the soil is too alkaline, then the leaves should be yellowish with green veins. Second, drip irrigation can be very bad since too much water will kill a rhododendron. They should only be watered when they need it. That usually means that the leaves look wilted in the morning. It is normal for the leaves to look wilted in the heat of the day, but not in the morning. Third, many rhododendrons are doomed when they are planted. If they are grown in containers, the roots start growing is circles within the container. These roots need to be opened up and pulled out into the soil when they are planted. Not doing this normally will not kill a plant for several years. Then the roots start strangling each other. Here is a link that might be useful: How to grow rhododendrons and azaleas....See More- 19 years ago
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