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Grandiflora Catawba Rhododendron Problems #857162

Asked January 08, 2024, 4:33 PM EST

Around this time last year, I planted a hedgerow of Grandiflora Catawba Rhododendron with mixed results. Three died quickly of what I suspect was root rot but five flowered and weathered the summer, fall, and now winter with no problems with the exception of a couple that had a clusters of leaves that had faded yellow edges. In addition, some of these affected leaves looked as something had been munching on them. This problem occurred not long after they were planted in the spring. I sprayed them with a seaweed iron solution in the summer, but they still have not regained any green coloring. So as to not repeat whatever I did wrong last spring what advice might you offer?

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Andrew, 
Thank you for using Ask Extension.

The yellowing could be caused by several things.  I would start with a simple pH test of the soil around the affected plants.  Rhododendrons are acid-loving plants and the soil pH should be 4.5-5.5.  When you start going up to 6.0 or higher, it's difficult for the plant to thrive and take up key nutrients. Here is a reference for the availability of common micronutrients based on soil pH https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ho/ho-240-w.pdf.  If you want a more in-depth analysis there are local labs (https://al-labs-west.com/soil-analysis/ is one, but a web search can identify others) that can perform an analysis of macro- and micronutrients.  I found one old article that indicated yellow margins could be caused by a boron deficiency https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/horticulture/osu-nursery-greenhouse-and-christmas-trees/ond130201f.pdf.  Iron, manganese and magnesium have similar symptoms.  https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/mineraldef.html

For the notching, it's most likely root weevils but before any pesticide use, you want to positively identify the pest.  In the case of root weevils, they are active at night so getting out with a flashlight is helpful https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/azalea-rhododendron-root-weevil  
The pests may be active but with cold weather coming they may be less active https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/common/landscape-root-weevil
Regards and happy gardening! Replied January 09, 2024, 9:21 PM EST

Dear Sara:

 

Thank you for your incredibly informative and helpful response. I am still taking it all in. When it warms up a little, I will do root weevil hunting at night to confirm whether they are the culprits on the notching. I am going to have the soil tested for pH and nutrients. I must admit to being surprised by boron deficiency as a possible cause of the yellowing. That was definitely not something I had considered.

 

With great appreciation,

 

Andrew

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 6:22 PM
To: Andrew VanDerZanden <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Grandiflora Catawba Rhododendron Problems (#0127086)

 

The Question Asker Replied January 10, 2024, 4:55 PM EST

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