... Jayne Belnap,a USGS Biologist succinctly suggests that there are lots of voices to be heard while she continues studying the role and function of cryptogamic desert crusts,various soil characteristics of different desert sands,endemic rhizospheric relationships, plant communities and subsequent definitions related to land use issues addressing economic development.I have sat way in the back row near the exit door with city commissioners focussed on economic development/land-use planning issues utilizing effective versions of "Roberts Rules of Orders" overlooking a series of storm runoff issues,erosion control,buffering functions of wetlands and the peculiarities of the behaviour and role of plants based upon uptake studies...I have concluded a general aversion to inputs of biological sciences and just another definition of our "artistic" decision making processes under contemporary conditions.... (...no politics,thank you...)...

Hadley, I looked at the photo you posted Garden Clinic and agree with the suggestion it's something harmless to your plants from the wasp family. It may have just had the bad sense to land on your bud...rhododendron buds are stickey. You say these are large shrubs, there may be nothing you need to do for your unopened buds other than pinch them off later in Spring when you know for certain they are both brown and dry and not just late. You will probably want to do something for the weevils if the leaf damage is more than just lightly cosmetic. An occasional chewed leaf I can deal with...nothing is perfect in our gardens every year...in large numbers the weevils will have larvae that can damage the roots. Rhododendron care isn't difficult in our climate, mulch (I mulch mine with compost and skip fertilizing) and make sure they have water when we haven't had rain. Deadhead any spent blooms you can reach before they set seed for best bloom next year. Here's another site with several articles by a local author you may also enjoy Here is a link that might be useful: Dr Goheen - Rhododendron ABCs

do not up the water.. without checking the soil ... how new is this tree???? your note indicates that it was a big investment.. so may i presume it is newer .. this year???? any sizable transplant will take a few years to regrow enough roots to support the tree ... so browned leaves are not uncommon .. with a tree.. i would err toward 'proper' water ... as compared to trying to drown it .... the only way to know if you are watering properly ... is to water it.. and then dig a SMALL hole with a hand shovel.. and see just how far down the water is actually getting... i would prefer one good deep soak a month .. to something like a sprinkler for 15 minutes a day ... you have to insure that water is getting down to the root level ... as to the holes in the leaves ... lol .. i would trim the tree up high enough that you don't see them ... lol .... i surely would not use chemicals on leaves that stay attached to the tree for the whole season .. they are still doing their work feeding the tree.. holes or not ... bugs come.. bugs go.. good years.. bad years ... but unless they are de-nuding the tree completely .. i just don't see where chemicals will get you anything positive.. in fact.. spraying of chemicals at the time the leaves are unfurling can burn the baby leaves.. and you will be further behind than if you left it alone ... on the other hand .. if its been in place for 5 years.. i might change my mind.. lol ken

Tell me about the potting medium as well as how long the jade has been growing in that medium. You've done a nice job of capturing the tiny creatures on film though they are so tiny. My immediate thought is that they are oribatid soil mites. Look them up and compare with what you see in person. They are also called a beetle mite because of their appearance of having a hard shell. They are not an insect but a true mite. Though usually found outside in humus rich soil, it's not unheard of for them to be discovered in container plants. They don't do harm to plants, you, or your home but feed on and recycle the organic components of the potting mix. In the outdoor soil, they are considered a beneficial critter. But who wants a house plant teeming with little mites? I would repot your jade with fresh (new) potting medium, after very gently rinsing the root system with tepid tap water. Scrub the empty pot, too. I'd not recommend that you continue using the insecticidal soap as it may interfere with the plant's ability to absorb water and dissolved nutrients. Let me know if you do not think that you've been seeing oribatid mites and I'll do some investigating.