What causes galls on azaleas?
Leaf galls, caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii, are common on azalea in the spring during wet, humid, cooler weather. The fungus invades expanding leaf and flower buds causing these tissues to swell and become fleshy, bladder-like galls.
What does fungus look like on azaleas?
Petal Blight – This fungus only affects flowers and appears as pale or whitish spots on colored petals or rust-colored spots on white petals. These spots quickly enlarge, becoming soft and watery. Apply a fungicide to buds as they begin to turn color.
What do you spray azaleas with?
Apply horticultural oil sprays at a 2% solution (5 tablespoons oil per gallon of water). Insecticidal soap sprays during the growing season will help control crawlers and adults of soft scales, like the azalea bark scale.
What causes leaf gall?
Galls are abnormal growths that occur on leaves, twigs, roots, or flowers of many plants. Most galls are caused by irritation and/or stimulation of plant cells due to feeding or egg-laying by insects such as aphids, midges, wasps, or mites.
Why are the leaves on my azalea turning yellow?
Soil pH is alkaline (Azaleas need acidic soil for Iron) Yellow leaves could be a sign of stress as a result of soils that are alkaline rather then acidic. Alkaline soils make it difficult for the azalea to absorb nutrients (Iron in particular) from the soil which results in the leaves turning yellow.
What is wrong with my azalea leaves?
The fungus Phytophthora species causes one of the most common disease problems in the landscape for rhododendron and azalea. This fungus is a “water mold,” and thrives in poorly drained or wet conditions. A wilted plant is usually the first sign of trouble. Rhododendron leaves will curl inward and droop.
What is killing my azalea bushes?
If your azalea bushes are dying, look for pests. Two boring insects that cause dying branches on azaleas include the rhododendron borer and the rhododendron stem borer. Although the names are similar, these are two distinctly different insects.
Can I spray neem oil on azaleas?
The first method to try is to spray the plant down with a sprayer on the hose. This can knock the pests of the plant and disorient them enough to prevent re-infestation. You can also try spraying the plants with neem oil or white oil. Lace bug damage to azaleas does not have to be devastating.
Are coffee grounds good for azalea bushes?
Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.
What does a gall mite look like?
These small, elongated, spindle-shaped growths generally occur on the upper leaf surface. The 1/5” long galls are about the same diameter as a pencil lead, tapering at both ends. They begin a green color and eventually change to tan.
What causes leaf gall on azaleas?
Unlike many galls that appear on woody plants and trees, leaf gall on azaleas is caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii, a wind-borne fungus that can overwinter on bark and within buds; other fungi in this genus affect camellias, blueberry and rhododendron.
What are the most common Azalea diseases?
The most common azalea diseases affecting these shrubs include: Azalea Gall – This azalea disease commonly occurs in early spring on new leaf growth. The leaves become curled, fleshy, and pale green to white. Affected leaves eventually turn brown and should be removed and destroyed.
What is leaf gall disease?
Leaf gall ( Exobasidium vaccinii) is a very common fungal disease in the early spring on azaleas and occasionally on rhododendrons. Some of the native rhododendron species (azaleas) are more susceptible than hybrid rhododendrons.
What does Azalea Gall look like?
Azalea Gall – Azalea gall commonly occurs in early spring on new leaf growth. The leaves become curled, fleshy, and pale green to white. Affected leaves eventually turn brown and should be removed and destroyed.