What is wrong with these rhododendrons?
Donna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio
8 years ago
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davidrt28 (zone 7)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoDonna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio thanked davidrt28 (zone 7)Related Discussions
Brown and spotted leaves on Rhododendron
Comments (6)I'd wait until your normal pruning time. Most of the leaves in the photo of yours do not look too bad. You can cut back to the point where you see a green swelling of new growth or just let the browned leaves fall off naturally. The latter course results in naked stems which won't look great, but if you pinch out the growing point on lower branches to encourage bushiness, it will soon fill in. The extremely curled leaves on the neighbor's plant may mean that the stems themselves are too damaged to recover. Cut these back to a growth point on live tissue - might as well be done now....See MoreWhat is going wrong with my Rhododendrons
Comments (8)Lacebug becomes a problem when certain varieties of rhododendrons are placed in too much sun. This keep natural predators of lacebugs from controlling them since the predators (spiders usually) don't like sun and the lacebugs don't mind it. So if you like the plants otherwise, just put them were there is more shade and they will be much happier and no spraying will be necessary. Some recommendations to replace Unique: Belle Heller - 5', -10F. Here is hardiness, sun tolerance, lush foliage, and a lovely flower all in one. The large flower is pure white with a striking gold blotch, set in large, ball shaped trusses on a vigorous grower. Boule de Neige - 5', -25F. Bright green, leathery leaves on a medium sized, rounded rhododendron. It's known for its heat and sun tolerance and is extremely cold hardy. Flowers are snow white in ball shaped trusses. It even blooms well in deep shade. Chionoides - 4', -10F. Tolerant of the sun and cold, this compact hybrid grows beautifully even when planted in locations often considered too exposed for a rhododendron. A broad, dense cushion measuring 5-6' high develops as the plant matures. White, dome trusses are bright and numerous. Disca - 5', -15F. The fragrant frilled flowers open a pale pink that fades to white. 'Disca' is also a late bloomer (June). Tests as resistant to root rot and is sun and heat tolerant....See MoreHelp - what is wrong with my rhododendron?
Comments (2)Sometimes the rootball becomes so dry that it is very difficult to rewet it. Remove the plant from the pot and check. If the rootball is very dry, soak in water for 30 minutes or so, then replant. Misting the leaves can also help. The other, more ominous possibility is that too much water and/or less than ideal drainage in the pot has caused the roots to rot away. Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done if this is the case. A third possibility is that the roots were killed by low winter temperatures. Rhododendrons which would be perfectly hardy planted in the ground can be badly damaged or killed by the low temperatures experienced in an unprotected pot. There is no cure for this either....See MoreWhat Is Wrong With This Rhododendron (Horizon Monarch)
Comments (9)The movement of water in planting media of various types is a surprisingly complex subject. The Gardenweb Container Forum contains a great deal of information about the subject. In general, the more dissimilar the new medium is from what a rhododendron has been growing in, the more difficult the transition. Many commercial rhododendron growers do use pure bark as a planting medium in pots, but what they use contains particles of many different sizes which retains water more effectively than highly screened bark intended for orchids, many of which are epiphytic growers. This coarse bark mainly retains water as a thin surface film which rhododendron roots have great difficulty accessing. The 5-1-1 mix of Container Forum fame is a good mix for rhododendrons in pots, but must be changed every 3 years or so. Whenever you are trying to establish a rhododendron in a new environment, avoid direct sun, try to maintain high humidity, water - if needed - with a trickle at the plant base from a hose. If you still get wilting leaves, don't hesitate to soak the rootball again if it is dry. Submerge in water, pot and all, for a half hour or so. Re-dig, soak and re-plant ones in the open garden....See MoreDonna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio
8 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoDonna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio thanked davidrt28 (zone 7)Donna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio
8 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoDonna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio
7 years agoDonna Roesink Zone 6a Ohio
7 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoakamainegrower
7 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoCaldwell Home & Garden
7 years agodavidrt28 (zone 7)
7 years ago
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