Re: Rhododendron mucronulatum not doing well
- Subject: Re: Rhododendron mucronulatum not doing well
- From: "Marge Talt" m*@hort.net
- Date: Sun, 18 May 2003 02:29:34 -0400
Well, Chris, this one wants moist, cool, acidic, well-drained,
organic soil and is subject to phytophthora root rot on wet, heavy
soils.
The lack of foliage and small foliage size means root trouble to me.
Getting hit by those J. beetles probably didn't do it any good, poor
thing. The flower buds were set last summer so flowering isn't an
indication of current plant health.
I have a feeling your soil may not be naturally acid enough, given
where you are. I can't remember if it's clay or not, but if it is,
did you plant this child high when you planted it?
If it were mine, I'd probably dig it up to check out the root system
and then, if it has any living roots, replant it in a raised
situation in a light mix composed of pine bark fines and/or peat and
sand; mulch with pine bark mulch and talk to it nicely and see if it
recovers.
Good luck there!
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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> From: Christopher P. Lindsey <lindsey@mallorn.com>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a Rhodendron mucronulatum that doesn't appear to be doing
to well
> in my backyard. It bloomed its heart out this spring, but
there's
> barely any leaves on it and those are pretty small compared to
past
> years.
>
> To top it all off, last year it was ravaged by Japanese beetles.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas? The leaves that are there are a
nice
> shade of green -- no signs of chlorosis.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris
>
> http://www.hort.net/gallery/ 3238 online plant photos and
growing!
> http://www.hort.net/gallery/date/2003-05-04/ The latest
additions
>
>
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