Issue with Azalea - Ask Extension
I planted several azalea in March this year. They were perfectly fine in April and May, and thrived. However, recently I notice one is dying...with le...
Knowledgebase
Issue with Azalea #650855
Asked June 14, 2020, 4:04 PM EDT
I planted several azalea in March this year. They were perfectly fine in April and May, and thrived. However, recently I notice one is dying...with leaves turn yellow-brown and wilt. We had a lot of rain in April here. I don't know if it's root rot, or rust of some fungus disease? I am really new to gardening. A nursery staff recommended to try Mean oil. Will that help? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We don't see any disease or insect problems, which means the problem is cultural/environmental. We think it has simply failed to establish.
You can't rely on rain to water your new plants sufficiently. Water during dry periods for at least the first 2 years, from spring all the way through fall. Fall droughts are deadly.
They need about 1" a week. But check the soil, by probing with your finger or a tool. Soil should not be allowed to dry down more than about 1".
Be sure mulch is no more than 3" deep and never pile on the base of the plant. Keep it back a few inches.
Here's more about planting which may give you some more ideas of what's going wrong: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/planting-tree-or-shrub
For more on our website, search 'water trees and shrubs'.
Ellen
You can't rely on rain to water your new plants sufficiently. Water during dry periods for at least the first 2 years, from spring all the way through fall. Fall droughts are deadly.
They need about 1" a week. But check the soil, by probing with your finger or a tool. Soil should not be allowed to dry down more than about 1".
Be sure mulch is no more than 3" deep and never pile on the base of the plant. Keep it back a few inches.
Here's more about planting which may give you some more ideas of what's going wrong: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/planting-tree-or-shrub
For more on our website, search 'water trees and shrubs'.
Ellen
We don't see any disease or insect problems, which means the problem is cultural/environmental. We think it has simply failed to establish.
You can't rely on rain to water your new plants sufficiently. Water during dry periods for at least the first 2 years, from spring all the way through fall. Fall droughts are deadly.
They need about 1" a week. But check the soil, by probing with your finger or a tool. Soil should not be allowed to dry down more than about 1".
Be sure mulch is no more than 3" deep and never pile on the base of the plant. Keep it back a few inches.
Here's more about planting which may give you some more ideas of what's going wrong: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/planting-tree-or-shrub
For more on our website, search 'water trees and shrubs'.
Ellen
You can't rely on rain to water your new plants sufficiently. Water during dry periods for at least the first 2 years, from spring all the way through fall. Fall droughts are deadly.
They need about 1" a week. But check the soil, by probing with your finger or a tool. Soil should not be allowed to dry down more than about 1".
Be sure mulch is no more than 3" deep and never pile on the base of the plant. Keep it back a few inches.
Here's more about planting which may give you some more ideas of what's going wrong: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/planting-tree-or-shrub
For more on our website, search 'water trees and shrubs'.
Ellen
