Rhododendron leaf analysis - Ask Extension
Hi- attached are photos of my Rhodie that is located in the front of my house-southern exposure, 10 feet off road in raised area. . I’m located ...
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Rhododendron leaf analysis #864864
Asked April 17, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT
Hi- attached are photos of my Rhodie that is located in the front of my house-southern exposure, 10 feet off road in raised area. . I’m located in Juneau. What can I add to the soil to help this bush? It’s about 12 years old. It was moved to existing location 3 years ago. Thanks!
Juneau County Alaska
Expert Response
Hi Leanne,
Your rhody does look a bit chlorotic (yellowing of leaves), but not too bad to me. An application of acid-loving plant fertilizer is the easiest likely remedy, though as with all plants pH can play a role. Since rhododendrons prefer acid soils with pH 4.5-5.5 being a normal range for them, if you put it in soil that was limed to a degree that most other cultivated plants prefer ~6.5 pH, then it may be struggling because of that reason. Doing a soil pH test is the only way to determine actual pH, so that's a best choice. If you are sure you have more neutral (non-acidic) soil because of previous liming, you can add iron sulfate as an amendment which will lower the pH.
Your rhody does look a bit chlorotic (yellowing of leaves), but not too bad to me. An application of acid-loving plant fertilizer is the easiest likely remedy, though as with all plants pH can play a role. Since rhododendrons prefer acid soils with pH 4.5-5.5 being a normal range for them, if you put it in soil that was limed to a degree that most other cultivated plants prefer ~6.5 pH, then it may be struggling because of that reason. Doing a soil pH test is the only way to determine actual pH, so that's a best choice. If you are sure you have more neutral (non-acidic) soil because of previous liming, you can add iron sulfate as an amendment which will lower the pH.