Knowledgebase

What is this on my azalea #836120

Asked June 17, 2023, 12:37 PM EDT

Found this growth scattered around on a 30 year old azalea. Can you tell me what it is and how to manage it? Thank You!

Carroll County Maryland

Expert Response

The pale, swollen, curled leaf portions are due to a fungal infection called Exobasidium Gall. They are not serious and don't cause long-term damage to the plant, so no treatment other than physically removing them is needed. If the shrubs are not already being irrigated during this drought, it might reduce their overall environmental stress to be watered periodically based on monitoring the soil moisture levels. We suggest removing the galls first in that case so that any spores they are producing aren't spread further by the splashing water (if you use a sprinkler or hose to water instead of just wetting the soil surface, which is preferable).

Miri

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