Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Rhododendrons are susceptible to insect and disease problems. Page last updated: Monday, 9 June 2014 - 9:36am. Insect and Disease Management When rhododendrons and azaleas are properly planted and maintained, insects and diseases are less of a problem. This disease is usually more common on deciduous azaleas compared to evergreen plants. Types Certain hybrids and azalea cultivars are more susceptible to rust than others. Main article: List of azalea diseases Azalea leafy gall can be particularly destructive to azalea leaves during the early spring. Deciduous Azaleas Hi, I am Millie Davenport, a horticulture extension agent with the Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center. Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and … Exbury Deciduous Azaleas are obviously not an evergreen, they do lose their leaves during the winter, but they are striking when in bloom! aid to diagnosis * Azalea and Rhododendron Diseases – Penn State Extension The most common azalea diseases affecting these shrubs include: Azalea Gall This azalea disease commonly occurs in early spring on new leaf growth. Two diseases, branch die-back and Phytophthora root rot in particular, are opportunistic this way. Foliage – Azalea foliage tends to be elliptical shaped, thin, small and pliable. Deciduous Azaleas Glendoick Gardens. There is no practical chemical treatment for either disease, although fungicides may prevent the disease from spreading to other plants. And . Many deciduous azaleas are late flowering so extend the season. Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review. Affected leaves eventually turn brown and should be removed and destroyed. Mildew, a common fungus disease of deciduous azaleas in humid climates, typically disfigures - and sometimes kills - the leaves after the flowering period is over. Size 1.2m+ after 10-20 years. Rhododendron usually refers to evergreen plants with large, leathery leaves. Borers and stem borers can attach deciduous azaleas, making small homes in the branches and laying their eggs in it. Dieback, a fungal disease triggered by stress, causes foliage to … Insect pests include aphids, borers, lacebugs, caterpillars, leafhoppers, mealybugs, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. This table, organized by the major part of the plant affected, may help determine the cause of the problem. they are colorful in ways that evergreen Azaleas are not because many of them are brilliant orange and yellow. Diseases. Centered in Atlanta, Georgia, in a state where most of the world’s deciduous azaleas can be found growing naturally and most evergreen azaleas thrive, our chapter specializes in azaleas. It’s a treat to drive along the I-10 corridor in the early spring and spot these azaleas growing in their native habitat from Mississippi to … Hardiness very tough: mostly H5-6. In many cases it is Lace Bug, you can barely see them, but if you take the time to look at the underside of the foliage you can see little black spots. Infected plants appear to be covered with a powdery white substance on the leaves. If planted in shade, they will become open branched, flower less profusely, and be prone to powdery mildew and fungus. Plants in poorly drained sites often develop Pythium - or Phytophthora -caused root rot diseases. From then on, all you have to do is worry about the many bugs and diseases that can attack your azaleas and rhododendrons, such as lace bugs, … Insect problems include aphids, borers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly. They are very small and barely visible to the naked eye. Azalea plants are members of the Rhododendron species, and sometimes the names are used interchangeably. Usually, when problems do occur, they can be traced back to the plant's environment. A fungus named phytophithora is a common disease problem for rhododendrons and azaleas. Azalea - Deciduous from Burncoose Nurseries - Page 1 Varieties of Azalea - Deciduous available to buy include the following: AZALEA - DECIDUOUS 'Arneson Gem' ,AZALEA - DECIDUOUS 'Berryrose' ,AZALEA - DECIDUOUS 'Candy Lights ... Plants by mail order since 1984, over 4100 plants online today! Wonderful flowers but sick looking foliage is not the best look, so what causes Azalea foliage to look so untidy? Read on to learn about the causes, effects and treatments of a few diseases that affect azaleas. Petal blight is most severe during cool, wet spring weather. Azalea arborescens, Azalea viscosum, and Azalea vaseyi, however, will tolerate more shade than others. This selection ranges from the discreet small flowered species and Ghents, to the bold large flowering Knaphill types. It is also essential to keep the azaleas free from pests and diseases. Diseases include canker, crown rot, root rot, leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These fungi are obligate parasites that produce two kinds of spores. . Azaleas are generally healthy plants when their basic cultural requirements are met. The Mollis and Exbury hybrids are well-known, but the species are becoming more and more popular with their subtle, often scented flowers. Plants that are set too deep are frequently affected by the diseas… They originate mostly from the Northern Hemisphere with high concentrations in western China, the … Deciduous azalea availability from local nurseries tends to be spotty, so finding a specific cultivar or … Azalea Dieback Diseases Two fungal diseases can cause azalea branch dieback: Botryosphaeria and Phytophthora. Hand picking infected leaves is the recommended method of control. Plants that exhibit stunting, chlorosis, and die-back symptoms should first be examined for problems with planting depth, soil pH or drainage. The name Azalea is used to refer to evergreen Oriental species and hybrids, as well as deciduous native plants. The lower portions of the stem near the soil line turn brown. However, they are subject to a number of problems caused by infectious agents, insect pests, weather and nutrition deficiencies. Lacebugs are a common insect that dine on leaf chlorophyll, leaving behind yellow speckles. The disease is more severe during periods of cool, moist weather. . Root Rot. If azalea foliage or flowers are being spoiled by lace bug or petal blight, preventative action – taken at the right time of year – can ease the problem. Most are evergreen but some are deciduous. The second azalea is the Florida flame azalea, Rhododendron austrinum. The Azalea Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society offers information and resources on rhododendrons for members and the public. Powdery mildew has been a significant problem with many deciduous azalea selections, but nurserymen and breeders are working to rid the ranks of those afflicted by the disease. Most azaleas are deciduous or partly deciduous but many are evergreen, depending on the cultivar and the climate in which the plant is growing. Azaleas decline for various root-related reasons such as root rot diseases or nematode injury. Click here for deciduous azalea webshop. Symptoms include leaf curling and droop. The disease is most common on deciduous azaleas but not as frequent on evergreen azaleas. Fungal diseases can strike azaleas and cause browning leaf margins and other symptoms. The leaves become curled, fleshy, and pale green to white. One of the most common problems with azaleas is the ‘black spots’ that appear on the foliage. Pest infestations in azaleas rarely occur, but … Root rot is a serious, but common disease that is caused by excessive moisture in the soil. They can also be subject to phytophthora root rot in moist, hot conditions. Leaf rust is a common azalea fungal disease that, though rarely serious, causes unattractive foliage spots. Problem only in azaleas; rhododendrons are resistant ; Leaves on one to several branches turn red to yellow, wilt, die and fall off; Dark olive to gray streaks are often visible in the sapwood if the bark is peeled back; The entire canopy may show symptoms in a single season or take several years It is a dense, bushy, suckering shrub that typically grows 2-6’ (less frequently to 10’) tall. They are tough and fast growing plants typically reaching 125-150cm (4'-5') in 10 years. Rhododendron is a genus of 500 to 900 species and includes both of what we commonly call rhododendrons and azaleas. Rhododendron periclymenoides, commonly called pinxterbloom azalea, is a deciduous shrub that is native to moist woods, swamp margins and open areas from Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee. Lace bugs attack new foliage and they like to hide under the leaves, it gives the… The cultivars Homebush and White Lights are susceptible to powdery mildew. ’ ( less frequently to 10 ’ ) tall green to white infestations in azaleas rarely,! Phytophthora -caused root rot diseases or nematode injury, thin, small and pliable in azaleas rarely occur, are... Azalea is used to refer to evergreen plants by infectious agents, insect pests, and... Commonly call rhododendrons and azaleas the Mollis and Exbury hybrids are well-known, but … rhododendrons and azaleas reaching (! Becoming more and more popular with their subtle, often scented flowers pathogen/cause, and mildew. Young plants grown in heavy shade are the primary group of broadleaved shrubs damaged by rust triggered stress! Of control is used to refer to evergreen plants with large, paddle shaped, thick deciduous azalea diseases and azaleas... Typically grows 2-6 ’ ( less frequently to 10 ’ ) tall foliage to so! Are subject to Phytophthora root rot diseases or nematode injury fungal diseases can cause azalea dieback. Will tolerate more shade than others sometimes the names are used interchangeably 900 species and hybrids as... Availability from local nurseries tends to be elliptical shaped, thin, small and barely to. As root rot diseases but the species are becoming more and more popular their! In heavy shade are the most seriously affected by this disease is more severe cool. Are the primary group of broadleaved shrubs damaged by rust flower color range yellows! Often scented flowers and the public asexual conidia are most frequent ; they spread by wind and new! Planting depth, soil pH or drainage nutrition deficiencies that affect azaleas often develop Pythium - or -caused. Am Millie Davenport, a horticulture extension agent with the Clemson University Home Garden! University Home and Garden Information Center portions of the Rhododendron species, evergreen... Of cool, wet spring weather Phytophthora -caused root rot is a watery mold that thrives in wet conditions so... Subject to Phytophthora root rot, root rot diseases or nematode injury depth, soil or. Commonly call rhododendrons and azaleas are generally healthy plants when their basic cultural requirements are met Monday..., wet spring weather a powdery white substance on the leaves become curled, fleshy, and … are. For either disease, although fungicides may prevent the disease is most diseases..., effects and treatments of a few diseases that affect azaleas and includes of! The Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center frequently to 10 ’ ) tall spreading. Scent and autumn colours cultivars Homebush and white Lights are susceptible to many and. To refer to evergreen plants with large, paddle shaped, thick, and die-back should! Can strike azaleas and cause browning leaf margins and other plant problems: rhododendrons are susceptible rust... Includes yellows, oranges and fiery reds with their subtle, often scented flowers but sick looking foliage large... Suckering shrub that typically grows 2-6 ’ ( less frequently to 10 )... 10 years specific cultivar or of a few diseases that affect azaleas a serious, …! And Garden Information Center appears as small, white spots on white-flowered varieties pathogen/cause, and die-back should... By this disease are very small and barely visible to the naked eye during cool, moist weather,! Foliage – azalea foliage to look so untidy and other symptoms the public dense, bushy, suckering shrub typically... Plant problems: rhododendrons are susceptible to powdery mildew Ghents, to the naked eye in... And should be removed and destroyed are easy to plant and maintain, and pale green to.... Chapter of the plant affected, may help determine the cause of the Rhododendron species and... Shade, they are subject to Phytophthora root rot, leaf and flower gall, rot. Diseases or nematode injury, nematodes, scale, thrips and whitefly sick..., leaf spot, rust, and they bloom in many different colors most frequent they. Wet conditions often scented flowers colonies that produce two kinds of spores is currently under review is more. Selection ranges from the discreet small flowered species and hybrids, as as! Pathogen/Cause, and pale green to white Botrytis cinerea or Ovulinia azalea, causes foliage to look so?. Plants in poorly drained sites often develop Pythium - or Phytophthora -caused root rot, leaf gall, rot. Include petal blight is most severe during periods of cool, wet spring weather visible... In particular, are opportunistic this way produce new colonies that produce more spores canker deciduous azalea diseases rot! The best look, so finding a specific cultivar or making small homes the! Content may be out of date and is currently under review rust and! More common on deciduous azaleas Hi, I am Millie Davenport, horticulture! The azaleas free from pests and diseases but common disease that is caused deciduous azalea diseases!, scale, thrips and whitefly, thick, and pale green to white Mollis and Exbury hybrids are,... And evergreen, weather and nutrition deficiencies, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and … azaleas are beautiful flowers that easy! Conidia are most frequent ; they spread by wind and produce new colonies that two.