Sick Azalea- any thoughts

Hi fellow Gardeners -

I am wondering if anyone has an idea of what the heck is making my azaleas look so sick. I've already put hollytone down as well as Iron-nite...but now the leaves have turned this nasty light green and have tiny black spots on the underside. Also a few days ago I noticed tiny "flying" bugs with stripes on the wings. See attached picture

Any thoughts and/or suggestions on what type of product would be greatly appreciated.

 

RE: Sick Azaleas--Any Thoughts?

the pea2001 and others--

Just put the kids to bed at 7:30 pm; and I read your question/problem(?) regarding the azalea issues. I did some research for you and this is what I discovered. Check out the below links. Also, you can take a sample of your azalea(s) to the Loudoun County Extension Office in Leesburg, VA. The Master Gardeners can assist you in resolving the garden questions and other issues. The Extension Office will send your sample(s) to VA Tech Cooperative Extension Office if they cannot answer your dilemma. Happy reading!!

Any more questions--ask and I will see what I can find out.

Foodie


www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org (Loudoun County Master Gardeners' site/info.)

www.co.loudoun.va.us/extension/home.htm (Loudoun County Extension Office's site/info.)

www.nationalgardening.com (National Gardening Association is an online resource for all types of garden-related problems and solutions. Organic solutions also. Also, the NGA provides grants for schools, communities, and others for "teaching gardens" for kids. We did a "teaching and sustainable garden" for our quads school this year. Great fundraiser. Also, I am trying to put together a "package" for Loudoun County Schools for this educational opportunity. NGA has great info even for "at-home" gardeners and their families.)

www.saferbrand.com/faq/flowers.asp (Organic gardening products site with alot of useful gardening info and products. Read the info relating to fungal diseases. Your fungal problem could be leaf gall.)

www.ces.ncsu.edu/lee/Leepage/Hort/FAQanswers.html (North Carolina State University's Horticultural web site for info. They suggest that the pest could be a "lacebug". Click on the link for lacebugs and check out their information. Lacebugs are a sucking insect that is often found on the undersides of azalea leaves.

thepea2001--We had some of these "critters" on our azaleas a few years back; and used the organic Saferbrand products that is a fungicide. Just be sure that you have the "correct diagnosis" for your azaleas.

 

foodie - as always you are a GREAT resource - thanks for the knowledge! -

 

Re: Sick Azalea--AnyThoughts?

thepea2001 and others--

Thanks for your kind remarks. I just have alot (as my husband) experience with garden issues since we have (and grew up on farms) a farm. Glad to have been of help.

Maybe I will bring by some homemade donuts in the future? Better than Dunkin Donuts. Please try my recipe under thread "Donut Recipes (Easy)...".

Also, read the info that I added about NGA (National Gardening Association's web site information).
Have a good night--

Foodie

 

Without seeing the azaleas, I would say it sounds like lace bug. They are sucking insects, meaning they go after the fluids inside the leaves. They cause a yellow/grey color, and can eventually kill the plant.

Safer soap is a good remedy, spray the underside of the leaves in early morning when they are slow and clustered together. Always follow package directions, might require several treatments. Safer is available at Home Depot/Lowes and garden centers. A good alternative to harsh chemicals.

In the spring, apply dormant oil before day time temps reach 80. Spray underside of leaves, again, follow package directions. The dormant oil smothers any over wintering insects, as well as egg clusters that might exist.

Azaleas require more maintenance than most blooming plants. Watering is great, but they have insect issues you have to look out for. Let me know if you need more info.

 

Or some company (or companies) is doing something at night....... LOL

 

Caring for your Azaleas- the lazy way...

Our first few years here we had real trouble with the azaleas. Spider mites, other sucking insects, etc made the leaves turn ugly and diminished the blooms.

Now, we have beautiful, giant, dark green azaleas covered with blooms every year! Our secret is really a lazy way to care for them.

Early in the spring each year, we apply the recommended amount of Bayer's Rose and Shrub granules. This is a systemic insecticide plus a slow release fertilizer. It is applied at the base of the plant (you can till it in a little if you want - and it will help prevent run off.)

Normally, I'm not a big fan of chemicals - I'll usually use just insecticidal soap for bug control - but after a few years of trying various things and applying over and over - we've found this really works the best. And, it couldn't be eaiser.

Two caveats- 1) apply at the rate suggested; 2) be sure to rinse it off the leaves if you dump it from the top of the plant - it'll burn the plant if left in contact (we just water it in a bit).

It comes in a blue "jug" with a handle. Usually Home Depot/Lowes carry it regularly (abotu $6). Sometimes, early in the season, Costco will have a giant bottle of it - for about $12.

I think we use two each year (you only have to do it once a year, I think). We have about 15-18 plants.

 

Foodie & Dawne - Based on your feedback, I wanted to let you know that our once "sick" Azalea scrubs are now looking wonderful. BIG THANKS!

I used the combination of Bayer tree & shrub mix coffee grounds and scotch bonnet pepers.

As a tip -You can request used Coffee grounds from a local Starbucks. Last week I put over 300 lbs in our back yard. Stargbucks will give you a huge bag of used coffee grounds at zero cost, all you have to do is ask them for their used grounds.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Re: Sick Azalea--any thoughts

thepea2001 and others--

Glad to have been of help with my research and information. Yes, we use coffee grounds for our gardens (vegetable and flowers) also.

Anymore questions--please PM me or ask under the Nature...forum and look for information under the "Gardening Guru..." thread; and I will respond gladly. We also use teabags for plants and roses.

Foodie