2 mandarin lights azaleas. One healthy. One has issues. - Ask Extension
Attached are 3 pictures of 2 separate azaleas that we planted last fall, 2023. They were nursery stock, planted in pots. Same age. Same variety. Both...
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2 mandarin lights azaleas. One healthy. One has issues. #846800
Asked August 22, 2023, 12:24 PM EDT
Attached are 3 pictures of 2 separate azaleas that we planted last fall, 2023. They were nursery stock, planted in pots. Same age. Same variety. Both got nipped back by the rabbits over the winter but started this season putting on healthy new growth. ( We will cage things better this coming winter). The healthy looking azalea is planted on the shady side of a fence where it gets much less direct sun. The unhealthy azalea is planted about 15 feet away towards a more open , sunny area. Both plants sat in pots for the bulk of last summer before being planted permanently towards fall. While potted, both plants developed the orangish rust-looking blight on some of the leaves and at that time I spoke to a nursery about it. They told me that this is most likely from not having enough acidity in the soil and it could be corrected by adding a fertilizer specific for azaleas. I chose muracid, a "miracle grow" product. Both plants responded well with healthy growth heading into the winter. Fast forward to the current summer where once again one of the plants (the one in the sunnier location) is showing similar "rusty" patches. I gave muracid to both plants in the spring and once again about 6 weeks later. However, the one plant seems to flourish while the other seems plagued. I can't detect aphids but I did find a "stink bug" on one leaf. Do you have any suggestions?
Hennepin CountyMinnesota
Expert Response
Hi,
I think the nursery was correct. The bush shows signs of being chlorotic. You have treated it for that and more is not better. I think the problem with the struggling plant is that it's been getting too much sun and is suffering from drought symptoms. It needs to be moved to a shadier place. They like morning sun and now, even that could be too harsh. Move it to a place where it gets filtered light. Remember to acidify the new area.