rhodendrums

[mum to be]

I have spent a fortune on rhodendrums they get part sun part shade organic soil fertilized every 6 mths watered well in summer but leaves are brown and curled up most have no leaves left they look scraggly and sick . Are they dead or will they come good next year .I brought a saple into a hardware garden place they said it looks like water has caused the brown culed up leaves and to put seasoil on them but what should I do with them please help they were doing well last year deidre

[Lonnie]

I've consulted my books, and it could be one of two problems, I'll quote straight from the books, and you can take whichever preventive measures you feel are appropiate.

DROUGHT--------In prolonged dry weather, the soil reseves of water are seriousl reduced. The first sign is wilting of the foliage, and in the early stages, the effects are reversible if watering takes place. The next stage is browning of the foliage and leaf drop, which is extremely serious or fatal, especially with evergreens. Water before symtoms appear, (might be too late now, from you description), and try to improve the water holding capacity of the soil.

RHODODENRON BUG---------Shiny brown insects with lacey wings feed on the underneath of the leaves, Foliage a mottled rusty brown, leaf edges curl downwards, AT the first sign of trouble in May or June, spray with Hexyl or Malathion, repeat about a month later.

Good luck, and congratulations.

[hammerman]

Can we also presume they are on acid soil ?

[WendyS]

Rhododendrons like acid soil (lots of peat) so if you're trying to grow them of chalky ground they will gradually die. Also, they originally come from the Himalayas where the air is very moist, so even at this time of year they like the soil & leaves to be kept moist. Am not familiar with any rhodoendron bugs or mites but I give my rhodies & azaleas regular doses of liquid sequestrene (may be wrongly spelt) appropriately diluted,which is a dark brown fertiliser with the correct mineral mix for such plants.

[Thunderbird+]

Just to throw in another possibility, the long cold spring experienced in the UK this yeas has had a bad effect on many plants and evergreen shrubs in particular, keeping them well watered should help combat this problem. All the Best.