I live in northeast Florida, a warm climate. I have a large bed of
azaleas covering an area about 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. There are
probably 25 plants in this large area, all planted 35 years ago.

In recent years, I could tell that one area on one end was getting a bit
dormant, as the leaves and spring blooms were not lush, and not real green.
I monitored the ph level for several years, and it seems normal. These
plants get partial sun. Other than this one area of dormant plants on one
end, the other bushes were always healthy, green, etc.

However, during this summer, I have started losing some plants. The one
area that has looked dormant for a few years has slowly started dying out
entirely.... right down to the main stalks near the ground. The leaves are
yellow, with rusty looking spots on them, both tops and bottoms of leaves.
A group of plants on the opposite end of this flowerbed has now started to
yellow, and show the brownish rusty spots on the leaves, and the plants look
weak.

These plants have not been over watered, or under watered. During breif
periods of drought that we had this year, I made sure they were watered, but
I don't think that I overdid it.

In between these obviously dying plants, I still have perfectly beautiful
plants that look perfectly healthy, green, and vibrant. Yet, I wonder if
these good plants are going to fall prey to whatever is going on with the
decaying plants.

Once again, these plants are 35 years old. I wonder if they are like some
other species, and just have a life span that cannot be exceeded. For some
reason, I thought that azaleas could last even over 50 years.

Before making this post, I have done a lot of research, and there are many
diseases and other problems like root rot, but I can't seem to boil it down
to one single probable cause. I don't think that I have insect problems,
as I don't see any chewed off areas of the leaves.

Anyone have any ideas or comments on this ? Could it be that like me, they
plants are getting too old ???

Thanks for any comments or ideas.

James

In article ,
"James" wrote:

I live in northeast Florida, a warm climate. I have a large bed of
azaleas covering an area about 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. There are
probably 25 plants in this large area, all planted 35 years ago.

In recent years, I could tell that one area on one end was getting a bit
dormant, as the leaves and spring blooms were not lush, and not real green.
I monitored the ph level for several years, and it seems normal. These
plants get partial sun. Other than this one area of dormant plants on one
end, the other bushes were always healthy, green, etc.

However, during this summer, I have started losing some plants. The one
area that has looked dormant for a few years has slowly started dying out
entirely.... right down to the main stalks near the ground. The leaves are
yellow, with rusty looking spots on them, both tops and bottoms of leaves.
A group of plants on the opposite end of this flowerbed has now started to
yellow, and show the brownish rusty spots on the leaves, and the plants look
weak.

These plants have not been over watered, or under watered. During breif
periods of drought that we had this year, I made sure they were watered, but
I don't think that I overdid it.

In between these obviously dying plants, I still have perfectly beautiful
plants that look perfectly healthy, green, and vibrant. Yet, I wonder if
these good plants are going to fall prey to whatever is going on with the
decaying plants.

Once again, these plants are 35 years old. I wonder if they are like some
other species, and just have a life span that cannot be exceeded. For some
reason, I thought that azaleas could last even over 50 years.

Before making this post, I have done a lot of research, and there are many
diseases and other problems like root rot, but I can't seem to boil it down
to one single probable cause. I don't think that I have insect problems,
as I don't see any chewed off areas of the leaves.

Anyone have any ideas or comments on this ? Could it be that like me, they
plants are getting too old ???

Thanks for any comments or ideas.

James

I'd layer what you can but my main thought is rip them out and wait a
years and start again. We layer constantly as young plant vigor is
useful in dealing with mole/voles and droughts and etc.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons in a warm clime must be challenging.

Ours do well in zone 5 but this url says otherwise.

http://extension.missouri.edu/public...b.aspx?P=G6825

I thought they like wet cold like Weston found in Tibet.

http://www.google.com/search?q=westo...dendrons&ie =
utf-8&oe=utf-8

--
Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden
http://www.informationisbeautiful.ne...l-supplements/

Bill, what do you mean by "layering?"


james

In article ,
"James" wrote:

Bill, what do you mean by "layering?"


james

Take a low laying branch and cover it with soil. Some folks nick or
scar the possible new root area then place a rock on it or a brick and
two years later you may have a new plant. Cut it from the mother plant
and wait another year. I do this all the time last with some deciduous
hollies. Heck if your neighbors have a neat bush approach them and
split the bounty. There is also air layering which I am a failure with.

Look for the book "plants a plenty" forget it new $93 but maybe under
$5 used or in your libary have fun. It Is out of print.

--
Bill S. Jersey USA zone 5 shade garden
http://www.informationisbeautiful.ne...l-supplements/

Interesting... thanks Bill !!

James

You can also take cuttings and root them in pots.

It sounds like this clump of azaleas is suffering from a disease or below ground
pest. Have you tried calling your county agricultural extension agent, or local
horticultural society or state azalea society?

Una

I do plan to call my county extension agent tomorrow.

Thanks

james