If your rhododendrons dont look like these, read on.
First of all, I feel your pain. Take a deep breath and count to ten. I know, I know, you’ve been looking forward to them all winter long and now they’re just green and what you thought were buds turned into new leaf sprouts?
Several things to check off first.
- Did you prune your shrub since it last bloomed? If so, you may have trimmed the new flowers off by accident.
- Is your plant getting enough sunlight? Although azaleas and rhododendrons are considered by some to be “shade lovers” they will not bloom in full shade. What they enjoy is some protection from full sun, which can bleach the flowers. But, as long as they are well watered, even full sun is not as detrimental as full shade.
- Do you have molds, pH-imbalance or other systemic problems? Here are photos of these-
Chlorosis-note the green veins with the yellow leaf. Courtsey of Purdue Ag Extension
These brown spots are the result of winter burn. These beautiful, broad leaves need water in the winter, and when the ground is frozen and the wind blows, plants quickly become dried out. The leaves suffer and will not grow back. They may be trimmed or left to fall off on their own.
winter burn on leaves
Great websites for more details=http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6825
Plumstone 