Three separate sickly azaleas

by Ann
(Deal, Dover, England)

1

1

I have a Rhododendron ‘Impeditum’, Azalea Japonica and an unnamed Azalea, all grown in pots for the last three years. They are planted in ericaceous compost, they have been watered and fed (with ericaceous feed) in the same manner for at least three years and have thrived, but have suddenly, over the last two months, begun to look very poorly. The leaves look ‘washed out’, turn yellow, then brown and dry and then fall off. On doing a bark test, the trunk and branches are all green and I can’t see any insects on the plants. Can I hope that, at some time in the future, new leaves will grow? I have three other rhododendrons which are not (yet) affected.

Comments for Three separate sickly azaleas

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Apr 01, 2022
 Finicky Things!
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

The Azaleas that are labeled 1 & 3 seem to have the same issue, which could be a difficult road ahead for them. As it's just early spring yet, they could indeed smarten up and grow new leaves. I find they do best in partial shade, rather than full sun. They are understory shrubs, and like to have companion plants, rather than growing in a pot. If they have been in the same pots all winter, depending on where they were, how much they were watered, etc etc, this might be what's causing them to deteriorate. Three years is a long time to be growing in the same pot. I might take them out of the pot and see what's going on with the roots. They could have root damage from the cold on the pots. Don't give up on them, but don't expect them to bounce back either!

If you have a spot in the garden where they would be protected from winds, shaded and sheltered, this would be where I would plant them in the ground. Without proper care, they will most likely not ever do well.

The middle one, #2, is a different thing altogether. This plant is chlorotic, or starting to be, which means it needs some micro nutrients. Growing in pots is a whole different thing than in ground.

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