SHRUBS > RHODODENDRON > wilt
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Azalea vs RhododendronFeedingLeaves Wilting & Drooping
Rhododendron are typically easy to worry for and low sustentation , but there are a range of emergence that can stimulate leaves to start wilting and drooping .
In this article , we will search some of the most common issues which can cause rhododendron leaves to wilt and droop .
“ In addition to producing every possible flower colour , many rhododendron are fragrant and have beautiful leaf , ” say Katrina Clow , Hon . Secretary of The Scottish Rhododendron Society .
“ They can become trees or remain diminutive little plants and so can suit many types of garden . ”
1) Cold Or Windy Weather
Many rhododendron are hardy and can easily make it through the winter in the UK .
However , some cultivars may well show signs of tenseness in stale temperatures , specially in windy weather over the coldest month .
They will sometimes just recover after milder condition return .
If leaves are curling in on themselves this may just be the plant ’s natural response to cold , let out condition , know as thermotropism.1Van Zanten , M. , Ai , H. , & Quint , M. ( 2021 ) . works thermotropism : an underexplored thermal involvement and turning away strategy . Journal of Experimental Botany.https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erab209
Rhododendrons curl leaves inwards so that less of the foliage surface is exposed to drying cold winds .
This is the plant life ’s defense mechanism mechanism to prevent too much piss vaporize from the leaves .
The rhododendron may need weewee , if conditions have been dry , and you should make certain that you conserve that H2O by laying an constitutive mulch around the base of the plant .
“ We can not control the conditions ! ” proclaim Katrina .
“ Moist , humid and mild condition will aid prolong flower life . A late May icing or a sudden gale can destroy all the beauteousness of your rhododendrons . ”
Despite this , if you encounter this issue oft , you may take to consider replacing your bush with a more cold - sturdy cultivar substantially suited to your localization .
2) Broken Stems
If the parting are wilting and wilt only on one side or a certain lot of the plant , the first thing to tick off for is broken or damage stems .
Of of course , leave-taking will droop and loll if water and nutrients can not pass up the stem to reach them .
Katrina recommend foliar feeding your rhododendrons in the growing time of year to check that your plant get all the nutrients they need .
physiologic damage may have been get not by a more pernicious egress but simply by storm damage or other extreme weather conditions – especially if your shrub is in an disclose locating .
Be certain to prune out the damage section as before long as possible to obviate putting spare strain on the ease of the plant .
But note , if water is not reaching the parting effectively , there can be a range of other ground for this – which we will get across below .
3) Water Shortage
Another common reason that leaves on a rhododendron will wilt and sag is issues relating to water system .
In dry summer months , you may find that water dearth is the culprit .
Rhododendrons have shallow rootage and require damp soil .
Make certain that you are irrigate sufficiently , and with sufficient relative frequency during dry periods .
“ Spray the leaf with rainwater if ask , ” Katrina suggests .
Remember that smaller cultivar produce in container will have gamey water needs .
Moisture is especially critical in the middle of summertime to facilitate flower bud production for the following twelvemonth . A dry summertime can seriously handicap unfolding .
“ Large rhododendrons may be more prostrate to a lack of water in pots , ” adds Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish .
“ If potting into something bombastic or planting out is not an choice , they can be pruned to assist them manage water .
“ However , as they flower on older root , pruning must be carried out minimally over several years to invalidate a ding in blooming . ”
4) Waterlogging / Excessive Watering
wilt and drooping leaf can also regrettably be a sign that you have water too much .
Rhododendrons do need moist soil , as mentioned above – but they will not do well when the grunge or develop medium becomes waterlogged .
During fleshy rainwater , grunge that do not drain freely may cause a problem for rhododendrons .
Make certain that you improve the land social organization with the regular app of organic mulch , which will help in building a sizable , oxygenate , wet - retentive yet free - draining soil .
If get rhododendron in passel or container , make certain that you have chosen an appropriate moisture - retentive yet free - drainingericaceous mixture .
Make certain that the container you have chosen is allowing water to drain out the base .
5) Fungal Infection
regrettably , waterlogged conditions can increase the likelihood of a fungal infection taking clasp , and fungal transmission could also be the cause of your rhododendron leave wilting and drooping .
One of the most common fungal infection is Phytophthora root rot .
Spores come in with plants introduced to your garden , or on the wind .
Sadly , once you see this problem in the leave of absence , the disease is potential to be quite sophisticated in the roots .
If you unearth the roots you will likely see much evidence of decay if this is the problem .
However , it may be difficult to secern whether sustain waterlogging alone has caused this way out , or whether fungal disease is present .
Rhododendron may alsosuffer from honey fungus .
This is another fungus that assail the roots of a number of woody perennial plants .
If this fungus is present , this will also cause rootage destruction before you are cognizant of wilt and drooping leaves .
If you look at the roots and find a blanched mycelium ( which reek strongly of mushrooms ) around the roots and the fundament of the shrub , this is likely to be the problem .
When one of these fungous diseases is present , you should cautiously dispose of the works and replace the surface soil from the root area .
Susceptible plants should not be grown in the same area and you should replant with more resistive species .
6) Vine Weevils Or Other Insect Pests
Vine weevilsand other insect pests can also cause rhododendron leaves to wilt and droop . This can be a problem , particularly , for rhododendrons which are grown in containers .
Adult vine weevil will nibble the boundary of rhododendron leaves , but it is the grub that nonplus a more serious problem – they feed on industrial plant root over the fall and wintertime calendar month , causing wilting and finally death of the flora .
you may deal with vine weevils by blame the grubs from the compost or pot soil by hand .
This may be clip - consuming but try on to ensure you remove as many larvae as you’re able to .
There are also biological controls available .
you could enter nematodes : Heterorhabditis megidis , H. bacteriophoraandSteinernema krausseiare amongst those commonly used .
These are usually applied in August or early September , but may also be apply in late bounce .
If your rhododendron leaves are droop and droop , the job commonly relates to water .
For some reason , the leaves are not get the water and nutrients they need .
Rule out environmental problem before deciding whether disease or pest metal money are stimulate the issue .
work through the inclination above should ordinarily give you an answer to your question .
