Brown Spots on Rhododendron

13 years ago

In April I purchased a Hellikki Rhododendron and planted it on one side of my house. I am worried that I planted it where it is getting too much sun, but since it is against the house and there is a medium-sized tree on the other side of it about 8 feet away, I was hoping it would be ok. I also transplanted two more established azaleas from someone else to the same area. The azaleas are doing fine, but I don't know their variety. There are also some annual flowers there that are part shade, and they seem to be doing fine.

My rhodie is not very much bigger than when I planted it there at the beginning of April. It has been extremely hot here in the last few weeks - 100 degrees several days each week - but I noticed that the plant seemed to have a few brown spots almost from the beginning. At this point, there are quite a few brown spots, but I am not sure if it is sun scald or something else. It doesn't look quite like the other pictures I've seen, but maybe that's because mine is not the same variety as the ones in the pictures I've seen? Mostly the ends of the leaves are brown, but some have spots in the middle. They aren't yellowed, although the newer growth leaves at the top of the plant are ever so slightly a lighter color than the ones at the bottom half of the plant. A lot of the newer leaves that are trying to grow seem to have shrivelly, crinkly edges, but those aren't browned. And just today, I noticed (I think) that two or three of the leaves have a little white powdery stuff on them. I am hoping its not powdery mildew and I am just "seeing things."

I have been making sure to give it lots of water, especially considering the heat, but it seems like the condition is worsening instead of getting better. I have pictures, but I am not sure how to post them. I guess I could email them to you.

I would really appreciate any help! Having a rhododendron is really important to my husband, who grew up in West Virginia where they were everywhere! I'd love to be able to save this plant for him.

Thank you so much. Sara

Comment (1)

rhodyman
13 years ago
The planting of this rhododendron is critical.

If the root ball was too light (dry) when you planted it, water will not penetrate the dry root ball.

If the plant was root bound and you didn't rough up the root ball and spread out the roots in the surrounding soil, then it is going to have trouble getting adjusted.

You need a good mulch layer to keep the roots cool and to conserve moisture in the top layer of soil where the roots grow.

If planted properly, it should only need a deep watering about every week during dry stretches.

If the leaves roll and droop in the heat of the day, that is normal and not reason to cause concern. But if they roll and droop in the morning, then the plant is either too dry or beginning to get root rot from being too wet. So it is important to have the plant well drained and not keep too wet.

The image below is fertilizer burn. It effects the tips of the leaves first:
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The image below is sun scale. The yellow areas turn brown. Note this just happens on the side of the plant that is most exposed to the sun:
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Here is a link that might be useful: Rhododendron and Azalea Problems
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