LoveToKnow Garden:AllComments

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Two Gumpo pinks, planted for 4+ years, are getting thinner and thinner of leaves. Still looks healthy and has new growth but fear they're dying. The few leaves look good. Other surrounding azaleas are fine.

-- Contributed by: Carol Mcalee

planeted azaleas, morning sun, pm shade, flowers bloomed beautiful.. after flowers dies, plant started losing all its leaves and very droopy..HELP fertilized w/Miracle Grow also...l

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Katie, I believe your plant has leaf gall. It usually doesn't have to be treated with chemicals. Remove the affected leaves and be vigilant looking for further infection. Leaf gall is a fungus and usually occurs on azaleas in the spring. If this appears to be a widespread problem including many plants, you may treat the plants with copper salts of fatty acids or triadimefon fungicide sprays according to the directions.

-- Contributed by: Charlotte Gerber

Hi Shirley, These caterpillars don't sound like the Azalea caterpillars that commonly attack plants mid-summer, nor does the description match Gypsy moths. I advise you to call your local Cooperative Extension office and describe the caterpillars to them. They are probably a local pest that can easily be dealt with.

-- Contributed by: Charlotte Gerber

My azaleas have developed what looks like a blister or a 'bubbling' of the leaves in the past few weeks. One leaf has gotten thick and white. None of my azaleas bloomed this year either; whereas they have always doe really well in the past. What could be the problem and what do I do?

-- Contributed by: Katie Laitsch

I live in Tallahassee FL and have a large oak tree surrounded by azeleas. They are not quite a year in the ground and for a while looked really nice with new growth sprouting nicely. In the last two weeks the new growth has been seriously damaged by a tiny, furry catapiller about 1/4 inch in length with red and black alternating stripes circling the the insect. We are also seeing hundreds of baby moths swarming up from the plants when we water them. What's going on and how do I treat my plants in order to restore their health. Thanks for your response.

-- Contributed by: Shirley Price

Hi Shaun, Does your plant have any leaves yet? I would test the soil as well to see if it will need any plant food or fertilizer. Let me know about the leaves and soil pH so I can investigate further.

-- Contributed by: Charlotte Gerber

Hi John, Considering the time of year, your plants may just be experiencing leaf curl due to overnight cold spells. You didn't say where you live, so this is just a possibility. Leaf curl can be caused by cold, dry, windy weather. If this is the case, warmer weather should bring your plants back around.

The dried twigs can be pruned back below the discolored wood to help stimulate new growth. Your plant may have experienced dieback. Azaleas will also recover from this. Treat the affected plant with a fungicide spray containing thiophanate-methyl or mancozeb. Be sure to clean all of your pruning tools with a household bleach solution after pruning the plant to avoid spreading the fungus. Dispose of all pruned portions of the plant so you don't spread the fungus.

-- Contributed by: Charlotte Gerber

My azalea has not budded yet and is looking a bit dead and twiggy,although it still has a springy feel to the lower stems. Have I got problems with the soil or with the plant it self?

-- Contributed by: shaun hilton

Hi, We have a 7 year azalea garden in our front yard. This year I notice they look as if they are dieing. I put a mulch around them that I got from our city. They collect leaves and pinr straw every year and grind it up to give it away . Azalea leaves are curled, look dry and some stalks have died.Could this be too alkaline or a fungus? Should I remove the mulch? Could this be a pest? Thank you for your help.

-- Contributed by: John

Hi Sara, Azaleas need well drained soil and a pH of 4.5 to 6.0. They like cool and partially shaded places in which to grow. Azaleas in soggy soil are susceptible to root rot.

Prune back the branches that are dead and brown. If you prune back any of the other new growth you will sacrifice the blooms, but your plant should bounce back by next year with proper care.

The brown spots on the leaves may be fungal spots. They can be treated by removing the dead leaves and treating the plant with a fungicide (copper hydroxide, copper salts or chlorothalonil).

It is also very important to keep the leaves dry when you water the plant. You can keep your plant drier when you water it if you use 3-4 inches of mulch around the plant. This will help to keep mud and excess water from splashing up on the underside of the leaves.

-- Contributed by: Charlotte Gerber

We have five very large azaleas that were already here when we purchased our home 2 years ago. This will be our 3rd season with them. They are brown and have several dead sticks on them, although there are many, many live twigs. The leaves seem to have a spotted brown color. There are some buds beginning, but last year they just did not flower as azaleas should. We don't know if it's the soil, nutrients, or a disease. Do you have any suggestions? One of the plants is 1/3 the size of the others and is the sickest looking of them. I love azaleas and would love to revive them. The thought of removing these huge shrubs is daunting and expensive, and will leave a very bare, stone wall. Please, what do you suggest? Sara Parsons

-- Contributed by: Sara J. Parsons
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