Azalea Problems, Causes and Treatments

[Ann B.]

This thread is dedicated to Azalea problems, causes and treatments. I encourage anyone to join in with questions, answers and/or suggestions.

[Ann B.]

Azalea die back is defined as when groups of one or more brances die, leaves turn brown and drop.

Cause - one of numerous fungi that create cankers which block the flow of fluids and food.

Treatment - Prune and destroy the dead or wilted portions of the plant. Spray with a copper fungicide every 2 weeks for 2 months.

[Ann B.]

Azalea leaf yellowing is a lack of iron known as chlorosis.

Cause - soil to alkaline or planted too close to alkaline material such as cement, shells or as noted in a previous post has been amended with too much wood ash.

Treatment - amend the soil with peat moss, add ferrous sulfate, aluminum sulfate or sulfur. Use a fertilizer for acid loving plants and water with rain water if your source for water is alkaline.