Rhody ailing - advice anyone?

10 years ago

I have a pretty rhododendron that is not thriving, as you can see from the pictures. The leaves have holes, like they've been chewed, but the holes are not on the outside edges, like root weevil damage would be. There is one bloom and one other bud which has swelled but doesn't look like it's going to open. Can anyone offer any diagnosis and advice on whether to treat or remove? It looks pretty lousy the way it its, but I hate to get rid of it if I can help it out! Thanks so much.

P.S. It's taken me hours to figure out how to get these pictures uploaded, so I apologize that my album has duplicates - I can't figure out how to get them out of there! If you click on the link it will take you to the rest of the pictures. {{gwi:392990}}From Rhody Damage

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

rhodyman
10 years ago
I can only see the one picture and the link is broken.

The Cranberry Rootworm, Rhadopterus picipes, chews holes in the leaf, some of which are crescent shaped. Shiny and black with a greenish sheen, these beetles are about 3/16 inch long. They feed at night and hide in litter or under containers during the day. Beetles damage leaves by chewing oval-shaped holes. They are usually associated with container nursery stock in areas with dense shade. Remove ground litter and weeds from the area and reduce shade where possible. Treat late in the day and repeat once or twice weekly.

It looks like your rhododendron's roots have lots of competition. Rhododendrons have very shallow roots and don't compete well with other plants. I would pull out some of the plants in the rhododendron's drip line, being very careful to avoid disturbing the rhododendron's roots. Then mulch well. The mulch will keep other plants from coming into the rhododendron's space, as well as conserve moisture, keep the roots cool in summer, and avoid ground heave in winter.

The pH looks OK. Right now, I might apply a little HollyTone, but at half the rate on the package and just once. If the rhododendron has too much shade you are lucky you got one flower. They need some sun, several hours a day, from now until mid-summer to form next years flower buds. If shade is the problem, you have two choices, thin out the shade or move the rhododendron to a sunnier location.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to grow rhododendrons and azaleas
skoprow
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you, rhodyman. When you say treat late in the day and once or twice a week, what am I treating with? I am going to take your advice and move the plant, too - hopefully the beetles will not follow! Thank you for the link.

BTW, tried my link and I can see the other pix; now I've got to figure out why you can't!
Related Professionals
Deer Park Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Marina Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Bergenfield Landscape Contractors · Cambridge Landscape Contractors · Elmhurst Landscape Contractors · Fair Lawn Landscape Contractors · Fairhope Landscape Contractors · Hilo Landscape Contractors · Madera Landscape Contractors · Methuen Landscape Contractors · Peoria Landscape Contractors · Placerville Landscape Contractors · Ringwood Landscape Contractors · Vashon Landscape Contractors · Maple Heights Landscape Contractors
rhodyman
10 years ago
This assumes a contact insecticide approved by our county agent. Possible pesticides include Carbaryl, Imidacloprid, Permethrin, and Spinosad. Besides applying at night when they feed, spray the leaf litter below the plant where they hide.

To see you link as we see it, log our first. We can't log in to see it.