Rhododendron, yellow leaves are often a sign of a struggling plant, but if you experience this, know you’re not alone. Many gardeners experience the same issue, but not everyone knows what causes this discoloration and how to fix it.
In this article, we will discuss six possible reasons why your rhododendron’s leaves of the Ericaceae family may slowly start turning yellow or white and explore effective solutions, so continue reading.
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What Are The Causes of Rhododendron Leaves Turning Yellow?
The causes of rhododendron leaves turning yellow is because of the poor soil quality, or too much sun and heat; it is also because of overwatering or under watering the plant, as it can also be due to pests, fungal diseases, or fertilization issues.
But when things aren’t going as expected, you might find yourself asking why the yellowing leaves happen! Understanding the growing conditions, causes, and solutions related to yellow or white leaves is key to getting your rhododendron back on track.
– Poor Soil Quality
Everything begins with a good enough base, and for the plant to become weak, they will go through weak soils. Poor soil quality is often one of the main culprits when it comes to discolored rhododendron leaves. For example, nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, can cause the tissue to go yellow while the main supplying veins remain green.
What causes the lack of iron isn’t really about fertilization, but the matter of too much alkalinity. Your rhododendrons will be picky when it comes to the pH of the soil. A pH imbalance in the soil may contribute to chlorosis, which is when the leaves start to lose their color and become weaker by looking yellow, as they will be fussy about the soil pH.
These plants love acidic soils with plenty of decaying organic stuff in them. Reduced nutrient availability can lead to all sorts of problems with your rhododendrons, and in short, they will become much paler and look very unhealthy.
– Too Much Sun and Heat
Too much sun and heat exposure can be a common culprit of leaves getting burned and wilted. Symptomatically, the leaves will develop brown or yellow spots, sometimes accompanied by small pinholes, before eventually turning completely white. This is often caused by too much direct, intense sunlight or hot temperatures that are beyond what the plant can tolerate.
On another note, this damage can be mitigated if discovered early enough with the implementation of necessary protective measures such as shading the plant or providing enough water for it to withstand hot days without drying out.
– Over Watering or Under Watering
Under watering results in the leaves becoming dry and brittle while overwatering causes them to curl up and turn yellow-white. Both of these problems may be difficult to spot at first, but when the plant is left unattended, they will eventually spread throughout the entire plant.
In this case, it would happen as one isn’t careful about their watering schedule, either sticking to rigid timings or thinking that the plants or nature will do their magic. Both approaches aren’t all that good for your plants, but there’s a way around this.
These colorful shrubs grow in an upright habit up to four feet wide. They are readily grown in the sun and partial shade, in moist, acidic, humusy, well-drained soil, but when the water is too much, the moisture will rise as well, which will cause them to become stressed.
– Pest Infestations
Pest infestation is one of the most common causes of rhododendron leaves going yellow, because the pests would cause stress to the plant. To identify what pest has been attacking your plants, look for signs of damage, like holes in the leaves or webbing on the foliage.
However, if you spot something suspicious, take a close look to determine whether it is caused by an insect or some other type of critter, and that is why your plant has become dull in color. Common pests associated with this problem are spider mites and aphids, both of which feed off plant sap and cause significant damage.
These insects often leave behind sticky resin-like droplets on foliage or a film that looks like white cotton balls on the stems. If your leaves are going yellow due to pests, implementing an effective control plan is essential in order to stop further damage and preserve your plants’ health.
– Fungal Diseases
Fungal diseases can be a troublesome problem for leaves, causing them to turn yellow and fall off if left untreated. These leaves may come into contact with several types of fungal diseases, including root rot, powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
Root rot is caused by too much water or excessive irrigation and can cause the leaves to drop from the plant prematurely. On the other hand, they would also get infested by powdery mildew that appears as a gray-white coating on the surface of the leaves and causes them to become yellow, then brown, before eventually falling off.
As a result, these leaf spots can cause small yellow dots on the surface of the leaves that will eventually turn black or brown if not treated correctly. Surely they will weaken the leaves and cause the rest to become yellow as well. The underlying symptoms of all these fungal infections include discoloration, stunted growth, and defoliation. Fortunately, solutions are available if you catch them in time.
– Fertilization Issues
When plants lack sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three of the main minerals in that they need, then they can appear stunted and pale, with chlorosis or yellowing of new growth being a common symptom.
Too much fertilizer can also be just as bad, as salt accumulation will build up and prevent the plant from properly absorbing water and nutrients – leading to those same telltale signs of an underlying issue.
What Are the Solutions To Yellowing Rhododendron Leaves?
The solution to yellowing rhododendrons leaves is to place them in the right spot and water them sufficiently. You must also supply balanced fertilizer for the plant, make sure to use insecticides and control the pests that have infested it.
– Finding the Right Spot
When planting rhododendrons, it is important to consider the growing environment. Rhododendrons are particular about the spots they like and need adequate airflow and light, whether it be partial shade or full sun.
But be careful, because too much sun can damage already sensitive foliage while too little can stunt growth and reduce blooming, which means you must remain within the proper range.
Consider using sheltering trees or shrubs that will provide shade, but make your soil acidic too! Use organic matter, such as compost, fallen pine needles, or mulch to give your rhododendron some of that organic matter and give it the best chance at thriving.
– Water it Sufficiently
When tending to your rhododendron, it is significant to be mindful of wet soils and fertilizing needs. Keeping the soil moist, but not wet is essential for healthy growth.
If the soil gets too dry, leaves may turn pale or yellow, so aim to keep it moist but not soggy, which is why you must wait between each time you water it. A good rule to follow is to add water when you spot that the soil has gone dry, and then you should water it.
– Supply Balanced Fertilizer
It also helps to feed your plant with a balanced fertilizer monthly or every other month during its growing season, which is both spring and summer.
Additionally, for the continued growth of a potted plant, make sure you repot the plant about every two years.
– Use Insecticides and Pesticides
While store-bought insecticides and pesticides are an easy solution, they may also cause harm to other beneficial insects and wildlife, or even to you if not handled properly. A simple, natural substitute that is growing in popularity is neem oil, as this is a natural product that you can use, if you don’t want to use any chemicals.
Neem oil acts as both an insecticide and fungicide, making it very useful in ridding plants of dangerous bugs without harming other creatures. For those looking for an affordable and safe way to keep their plants healthy, neem oil diluted in water is definitely worth looking into!
Conclusion
Yellow leaves on rhododendrons can be a frustrating experience. However, it’s reassuring to know that this is something easily fixable.
Treating these issues requires understanding their underlying causes and offering adequate solutions:
- Poor soil quality, too much sun, under watering or overwatering, pest infestation, diseases, and fertilization issues can all cause the leaves to turn yellow.
- Fertilization should be dealt with carefully considering potential salt accumulation in the soil. To prevent pest infestations, use a neem oil homemade insecticide periodically as an effective measure against pesky intruders.
- Most importantly, make sure you’ve found the perfect spot for your rhododendrons; one where they can flourish according to their specific needs. Lastly, remember proper watering and fertilization are key for healthy growth.
If you follow these tips, we’re sure your rhododendrons will thrive for years to come. So now, you should go ahead and take the right measures to see your plant green again.
