Dr. Sharon M.

Douglas
Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
123 Huntington Street, P. O. Box 1106
New Haven, CT 06504

Phone: (203) 974-8601

Fax: (203) 974-8502
Founded in 1875 Email: [email protected]
Putting science to work for society Website: www.ct.gov/caes

COMMON PROBLEMS OF RHODODENDRON AND AZALEA

There are several diseases that commonly pinhead to those that are more diffuse or
occur on rhododendrons and azaleas in even coalesce over the entire leaf. Small,
landscapes and nurseries every year in black fruiting bodies may be visible on the
Connecticut. These include fungal leaf upper or lower surfaces of the spots (Figure
spots, leaf and flower gall, root rot, oedema, 3).
leaf flooding, winter injury, and chlorosis.
However, the occurrence and severity of
these diseases are influenced by many
factors, such as the level and severity of
infection and overwintering inoculum from
the previous year, the weather at the time of
leaf emergence, cultural practices, and the
species or cultivar planted.

FUNGAL LEAF SPOTS

Causal Agents: Several genera of fungi
(e.g., Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Septoria,
and occasionally, Pestalotiopsis).
Symptoms: Many cultivars of
rhododendron and azalea can be infected by Figure 1. Fungal leaf spot of rhododendron.
one or more leaf-spotting fungi. Symptoms
usually develop on current season foliage in
mid to late summer. However, in some
cases, infections may not be visible until the
following winter or spring after infection.
Leaf spots appear as dead areas of tissue
scattered over the surface of the leaf. They
usually have distinct margins that are often
darker than the brown, black, tan, or reddish
centers. Spots are usually visible on both
upper and lower leaf surfaces (Figures 1 and Figure 2. Characteristic leaf spots with
2). However, the spots can vary in size from distinct margins.
Tan masses of fungal spores can sometimes number of spores available to infect
be seen oozing from the black fruiting emerging leaves in spring.
bodies after periods of wet weather. These
tendrils consist of masses of individual It is also important to follow sound cultural
fungal spores that are readily wind- or rain- methods that promote plant vigor. These
driven to newly emerging leaves in spring include proper watering, fertilizing, and
(Figure 4). mulching, appropriately timed pruning, and
managing insects, particularly the black vine
weevil.

In some cases, leaf spots can become serious

and result in injury (i.e., branch and twig
dieback) or even plant death. This is
especially problematic on new transplants or
on weakened or stressed plants. In such
cases, chemical control is often necessary,
especially in cool, wet springs. Several
fungicides are registered for use in
Figure 3. Small, black fruiting structures of Connecticut, including thiophanate-methyl,
the fungus are visible in the leaf spots. chlorothalonil, and mancozeb. Organic
options include sulfur and copper
compounds. Several biological products can
also be used as protectants. These include
Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain KRL-
AG2, Streptomyces griseoviridis strain K61,
and Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 may be
effective as protectants. The pesticide labels
contain information for use, including
specific plant hosts and diseases, dosage
rates, and safety precautions. Since most
leaf-spotting fungi infect in spring as new
leaves are emerging, the first fungicide
spray is usually applied at bud break.
Figure 4. Photomicrograph of spores of the Additional applications may also be
leaf spot fungus Cercospora. necessary in unusually wet springs. When
symptoms are visible on the new leaves, it is
Management: Fungal leaf spots can be usually too late for effective chemical
managed using a variety of strategies. Leaf control.
spots are rarely serious enough to warrant
chemical control and are often effectively LEAF AND FLOWER GALL
managed by following good sanitary and Causal Agents: Several species of the
cultural practices. In autumn, it is important fungal genus Exobasidium.
to rake and remove fallen leaves from the Symptoms: Diagnostic symptoms develop
vicinity of the shrub since many of the leaf- on young leaves of azaleas and occasionally
spotting fungi overwinter on fallen leaves on rhododendrons in the early spring. Some
and plant debris. This practice reduces the of the native rhododendron species (azaleas)

Common Problems of Rhododendron and Azalea S. M. Douglas 2

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (www.ct.gov/caes)
are more susceptible than hybrid fungus overwinters in bud scales and infects
rhododendrons. Leaves and buds are tender tissues as they are emerging.
infected as they emerge in April and May.
Affected leaves, stems, and flowers become
distorted, thickened, and bladder-like. They
are succulent and fleshy (Figures 5 and 6).

Figure 7. An aging gall that is turning

brown and shriveling.
Figure 5. Young, pale green, fleshy gall on
Management: Leaf and flower galls are
azalea.
generally not serious, although they can be
disconcerting, because of their eye-catching
appearance. They generally do not
contribute to long-term plant health issues.
However, when this disease re-occurs for
several consecutive years, especially on new
transplants, it can reduce plant vigor.

When only a few plants are involved, this

disease can be managed by hand picking and
discarding the galls. It is important to pick
the galls before the white layer of spores
appears. Plants growing in sites with poor
air circulation or poorly drained soil are
more susceptible, so anything that can be
Figure 6. Older azalea leaf gall covered done to remediate these conditions can be
with the white spores of the fungus. helpful in managing the disease.

Galls are initially pale green in color, but Fungicide applications are generally not
develop a white “bloom,” which consists of warranted or efficacious in home
spores of the causal fungus. The galls landscapes.
eventually turn red and brown and shrivel
into hard masses (Figure 7). The severity of Differences in susceptibility and resistance
the disease usually depends on the weather to leaf and flower gall has been reported for
and history of disease. Favorable weather azalea and rhododendron. Azalea: some
includes prolonged bud break due to cool highly susceptible cultivars include the
temperatures and adequate rainfall or dew to Indica group; resistant cultivars include
provide free water on the plant tissues. The

Common Problems of Rhododendron and Azalea S. M. Douglas 3

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (www.ct.gov/caes)
Formosa, Sensation, and Aphrodite. damage, soil compaction, nematode damage,
Rhododendron: some highly susceptible and other root diseases.
species are R. maximum, R. catawbiense,
and their hybrids.

PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT

Causal Agents: Several species of the
genus Phytophthora, an oomycete or
fungus-like organism (e.g., P. cactorum, P.
cinnamomi).
Symptoms: Phytophthora root rot is a
serious disease of landscape as well as field-
and container-grown nursery plants. Above-
ground symptoms of Phytophthora root rot
are generally non-specific and non-
diagnostic. Initial symptoms consist of slow
growth, slightly off-colored foliage, and
drooping or wilting of the foliage, especially
in mid-day. As the disease progresses, more
dramatic above-ground symptoms develop,
which include twig and branch dieback and
inward curling and drooping of olive-green
leaves (Figure 8).

More diagnostic symptoms are visible in the

root and crown area and roots. Infection
begins as the pathogen enters root hairs and Figure 8. Diagnostic olive-green, inward
non-woody roots. Infected roots appear curling leaves associated with Phytophthora
waterlogged and blackened; the outer cortex root rot.
often pulls away from the stele. The
pathogen then grows into larger-diameter Phytophthora root rot is often associated
roots and into the root crown. Plants can be with drainage problems and wet sites. This
girdled as the pathogen moves up the stem. soilborne pathogen (previously called a
The cambium is killed and turns a diagnostic “water mold”) produces motile spores that
cinnamon-brown. Without a functional root readily move in water. As a consequence,
system, leaves become chlorotic, roll declining plants often follow drainage
downward toward the midrib, and gradually patterns, especially in chronically low, wet
wilt. Highly susceptible, young, container- areas or on hills. Infections occur after
grown rhododendrons may die within 14 periods of standing water or follow drainage
days. Older, landscape plants may gradually patterns. Depending on the species, two
develop symptoms before eventually dying, types of resistant resting structures
or may show minimal above-ground (chlamydospores and oospores) can form in
symptoms until additional stresses cause the infected roots. These allow the pathogen to
weakened plants to die. Phytophthora root survive in the soil for quite some time
rot can be confused with mechanical during unfavorable conditions. In warm and
saturated soils (even for a few hours),

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The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (www.ct.gov/caes)
chlamydospores and oospores germinate to with good or moderate resistance include R.
form sporangia. Sporangia form and release delavayi, R. glomerulatum, R. hyperythrum,
swimming zoospores. Zoospores “swim” in R. lapponicum, R. ciliatum, R.
free water and are attracted to nearby roots, hemitrichotum, R. shwelliense, R. simiarum,
especially root tips or injured roots. R. spiciferum, and R. yunnanense. Azalea
Zoospores invade the root hairs and roots. cultivars with resistance include Alaska,
The longer the soil is saturated, the more Chimes, Corrine Murrah, Formosa Fred
severe the infection. The greater the number Cochran, Rachel Cunningham, and
of periods of saturated soil, the more severe Redwing.
the infection. The optimum temperature for
disease range from 59-77 °F for most Fungicide applications are not curative and
infections, although cooler temperatures can are usually not effective once plants are
also be conducive to infection. Roots are infected. However, they can be helpful to
most susceptible during the spring and fall, protect uninfected plants and prevent spread
which corresponds to the same time that soil of the pathogen to adjacent healthy plants.
temperatures are most favorable for These should be used in conjunction with
zoospore production and activity. When cultural methods previously mentioned in
plants are dormant, rootstock susceptibility order to be most effective. Among the
and pathogen activity are both low. fungicides registered in Connecticut are
Management: Phytophthora root rots are mefenoxam, metalaxyl, fosetyl-Al,
most effectively managed in the landscape etridiazole, etridiazole + thiophanate-
by prevention. This includes purchasing methyl, and phosphorous acids. The
healthy, pathogen-free plant material, by pesticide labels will contain information for
careful attention to the characteristics of the use with specific plant hosts, dosage rates,
site selected for planting, and the planting and safety precautions.
practices. Sites should be well-drained.
Additional site modifications that can be OEDEMA
effective include planting on raised beds or Causal Factors: This physiological disorder
installing drain tiles to direct water away is associated with a water imbalance that
from the root zone. develops in leaves. This occurs when the air
is moist and cool and the soil is moist and
Once the disease is detected, infected plants relatively warm. The roots take up more
should be removed from the planting. Since water than the plant can use or transpire
high nitrogen favors disease, it is helpful to through the stomates.
avoid using fertilizers high in nitrogen or to Symptoms: Initial symptoms appear as pale,
apply a low rate of slow-release fertilizer. chlorotic spots on the upper leaf surfaces.
Diagnostic symptoms develop on the abaxial
Differences in susceptibility and resistance surfaces and appear as water-soaked blisters
to Phytophthora root rot has been reported that eventually become brown and corky
for azalea and rhododendron. (Figures 9 and 10). At quick glance, they
Rhododendron hybrids with good resistance can be confused with scale or other insect
to P. cinnamomi include Caroline, Martha pests. When severe, leaves can yellow and
Isaacson, Pink Trumpet, Professor Hugo de drop prematurely. Oedema is most
Vries, and Red Head; with moderate prevalent in the late winter especially during
resistance: Bosley, Brickdust, Aureum, and extended periods of cool, cloudy weather.
English Roseum. Rhododendron species

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Management: Oedema can be managed by LEAF FLOODING
attention to plant spacing to improve the Causal Factors: This is a physiological
flow of air over the leaves and reduce disorder associated with movement of
relative humidity. Symptomatic plants often excess water into the leaves by root pressure
recover from oedema when more favorable at the same time that transpiration is
growing conditions return in spring and inhibited by high relative humidity. This
early summer. can develop on plants in winter storage
when conditions are designed to provide
high relative humidity using polyethylene
“blankets” as a vapor barrier in order to
prevent leaf damage from desiccation,
especially while rootballs are frozen. This
condition rarely develops in field-grown or
landscape plants.
Symptoms: Leaves initially develop dark,
water-soaked blotches as a result of water
infiltrating the intercellular spaces,
especially along the mid-vein. Under
normal conditions, these air-filled
intercellular spaces comprise 10-20% of the
leaf. The extent of flooding depends upon
the duration of favorable conditions and
cultivar. On some plants, flooding can
disappear after conditions improve. On
others, the blotchy areas become necrotic
(Figure 11). Nova Zembla is highly
Figure 9. Oedema of rhododendron: upper susceptible whereas Roseum Elegans rarely
leaf surface with pale chlorotic areas (top develops leaf flooding symptoms.
photo); brown, corky blisters (bottom)
associated with oedema.

Figure 11. Rhododendron leaves with

symptoms of leaf flooding.

Management: Symptoms of leaf flooding

Figure 10. Close-up view of corky oedema and conditions that favor its development
lesions. should be monitored, especially after an
extended period of rainy weather during

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storage. Venting storage facilities for a day
or two when the weather clears should cause
the flooding to disappear.

WINTER INJURY
Causal Factors: This abiotic disorder can
be attributed to diverse factors that include
sudden temperature fluctuations, excessive
or late season fertilization, lack of snow
cover, drying winds, and late spring frosts. Figure 12. Winter injury symptoms on one
The most common type of winter injury on portion of an established plant.
rhododendron is excessive drying. This
results from factors that create a water
deficit in the plant. This type of injury
occurs when water evaporates from leaves
on windy or warm, sunny days during the
winter or early spring. Drying occurs
because this water is not replaced, since the
roots cannot take up enough water from cold
or frozen soil.
Symptoms: Winter injury or winter drying
of rhododendron and azalea commonly
occurs on plants growing in both wind-
swept and sheltered locations. This is a
general term applied to a group of
environmentally-caused problems that have Figure 13. Diagnostic symptoms of winter
little in common other than they occur injury including rolling of the leaves along
during the winter. Winter injury is the mid-vein.
important in and of itself, but it also
predisposes the plants to secondary invaders
or opportunistic pests. Quite often, the
effects do not show up immediately after the
damage has occurred. Symptoms can
develop on one or two individual branches
or on the entire shrub (Figure 12). They can
appear as tip or marginal browning of
leaves, dieback of tips and branches,
desiccation of growing tips or twigs, and
longitudinal rolling of leaves along the mid-
vein (Figures 13 and 14). Water evaporates
from the leaves on windy or warm, sunny Figure 14. Close-up of winter injury
days and cannot be replaced since the water symptoms.
in the soil is still frozen or unavailable to the
plant roots. Plants that have been recently transplanted
and lack well-developed or established root
systems are most susceptible to winter

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The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (www.ct.gov/caes)
injury, as are established shrubs of all sizes or yellowed leaves. Under the former two
and ages whose root systems are conditions of high soil pH, plants are unable
predisposed and damaged by excess water or to absorb iron. This results in a deficiency
drought. that leads to yellowing or interveinal
Management: Winter injury does not chlorosis--where the leaf veins remain green
generally contribute to long-term issues with and the area between the veins turns yellow.
plant health. However, it can be These symptoms usually develop on the
disconcerting, because of the eye-catching youngest foliage first. Iron is not
damage that can occur. It can also be necessarily deficient in the soil—it may be
stressful when it occurs on new transplants there, but just in an unavailable form for
or when damage occurs for several absorption through the root system as a
consecutive years. While there is no cure result of the soil pH.
for this physiological disorder, there are Management: This physiological disorder
steps to help minimize its effects. These can usually be corrected by treating the soil
include selecting an appropriate site for with an iron chelating compound or by
planting and maintaining plant vigor by lowering the soil pH (to pH 5.5 or below)
following sound cultural practices. Deep using soil amendments such as sulfur, iron
watering the plants before the ground sulfate, or ammonium sulfate. These
freezes in the fall and mulching around the amendments must be thoroughly
base of the plant can provide and maintain incorporated into the root area in order to be
sufficient moisture in the root zone. effective. Therefore, it is very helpful to
Fertilizing at the proper time and rate can be have the soil tested prior to planting; this
helpful, especially avoiding late summer and will also provide information on rates for the
early fall fertilization, which encourages amendments. Leaf chlorosis can be
growth that does not harden off properly for temporarily remediated by spraying the
winter conditions. Good sanitation is also foliage with iron compounds such as iron
helpful, by pruning out dead, dying, or sulfate, iron chelate, and soluble organic
damaged branches in spring to minimize iron complexes.
potential problems with secondary invaders
and opportunistic pests. For new transplants Under conditions of heavy or water-logged
and plants in exposed locations, providing soils, leaves yellow because plants are
physical protection from water loss and unable to absorb nutrients because the feeder
drying winds can be helpful. Burlap wraps roots have been damaged by excessive soil
and sprays of anti-transpirants or anti- moisture and lack of oxygen. This condition
desiccants can be effective. is often irreversible, especially if damage is
extensive. However, if the problem is
CHLOROSIS recognized early, efforts to improve soil
Causal Factors: This physiological disorder texture and drainage can promote root health
occurs when rhododendrons and azaleas and improve root function.
grow in soils with pH levels above 6.0-6.5.
This results in iron chlorosis and March 2011 (revised)
micronutrient deficiencies.
Symptoms: Rhododendrons and azaleas
growing in naturally alkaline soils, near new
cement walls or foundations, or in heavy or
poorly drained soils often develop chlorotic

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The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (www.ct.gov/caes)