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Rhododendron problems
We have a large, ~40 yr. old rhodo, quite spindly, about 15'-20' tall
that is looking quite sick. Very yellowish green leaves, sparse, some leaves with brown spots on them. It is flowering now but even the flowers do not look healthy. The bed was mulched last year and 10-10-10 basic garden fertilizer spread over the bed, but that does not seem to have helped this rhodo. We have had a hot dry spell the past 2 weeks (Victoria BC) and although we have an irrigation system I have also just given the tree a good thorough watering today. Any ideas appreciated on how we might save this rhodo would be appreciated. |
#2
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Rhododendron problems
lagagnon wrote:
We have a large, ~40 yr. old rhodo, quite spindly, about 15'-20' tall that is looking quite sick. Very yellowish green leaves, sparse, some leaves with brown spots on them. It is flowering now but even the flowers do not look healthy. The bed was mulched last year and 10-10-10 basic garden fertilizer spread over the bed, but that does not seem to have helped this rhodo. We have had a hot dry spell the past 2 weeks (Victoria BC) and although we have an irrigation system I have also just given the tree a good thorough watering today. Any ideas appreciated on how we might save this rhodo would be appreciated. There are several possible reasons, but the most likely is that it could have Powdery Mildew. Are there brown or grey patches on the underside of the leaves, which appear as light patches on the top? You will need to spray regularly with a fungicide active against powdery mildew if that is the case, but if it's a bad infection, the rhodo may not survive no matter what you do. It doesn't look like a nutrient problem, but it wouldn't do any harm to try spraying/watering it with Sequestrene (chelated iron). But is it the only rhodo you have exhibiting this problem, or are there others? Rhodos are pretty long-lived, so I doubt this one has reached the end of its life through old-age. Remember that rhodos are shallow-rooted, so if anything has disturbed the surface around the plant many of its roots might have been destroyed. What did you mulch it with last year? Is there any chance that there may have been something nasty in the mulch which has only just appeared? You could also try asking around. AFAIR there are many wonderful gardens in and around Victoria/Vancouver and perhaps there are some experienced rhodo growers there who can shed a light on your problem. -- Jeff |
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