Knowledgebase

Rhododendron Winter Burn, spider mites, or both? #328256

Asked June 03, 2016, 10:59 AM EDT

Good morning! My rhododendron had been active in the winter with the leaves opening sometimes in the daytime and closing for night and bitter cold. However, in the 5 years that I have lived here, this is the first time it has not blossomed and looks very sick. I am not a plant or garden expert at all, but some online research seems to point to either winter burn and/or spider mites. I have sprayed it with just water to because of the cob webbing and then just the other day sprayed it with a mixture of plain Dawn dish soap and water. I am very worried I am going to lose this magnificent shrub. I have attached some pictures that may help you to help me identify what the problem is and then what, if any, action I can take to help it get healthy again. Thank you for your time. -Joel Olson

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

If there was webbing, there could have been spider mites.  However, spraying with dish soap is not a recommended remedy.  However, it looks like your shrub did not survive the winter.  From the photos, it looks dead.  Try squeezing a bud.  If it crumbles in your hand, that bud is dead.  Same with the leaves.  If you want to hope to bring it into another season, you can treat it like a regular shrub but the prognosis does not look good.
Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied June 05, 2016, 6:51 PM EDT

Loading ...